Reassembling my engine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 167
Likes: 42
From: Virginia
Reassembling my engine
I recently did a complete tear down and had a machine shop do some work on my 400sbc. I was meticulous in my tear down, labeling, taking pictures and organizing parts. The issue is, because of how long it was at the shop and available time on my end, that was over 6 months ago. I was wondering if there are any reliable youtube videos or books that walk through exactly how to reassemble it. Like all the little stuff that I would likely forget doing or not know to do because this is the first time I have torn an engine apart. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
Popular Reply
Dec 13, 2022, 07:50 PM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,423
Likes: 1,458
From: Little Rock AR
This is the bible. Mine is just about worn out. Its a must have to tear down and reassemble a small block.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 37
From: Poway CA
You might want to say what size motor you have, horsepower, and the year of the Corvette. There are plenty of "How To" books on the market. How to rebuild your small/big block Chevy has been around forever. If you took pics, that should help a lot. Get the A.I.M. (factory assembly manual) from one of the many vendors on this forum to aid in the process of brackets, hoses, etc. If you've never done this, this may be a lot to learn and there will be special tools needed (torque wrench, ring compressor, etc). There are plenty of specialists here to help you out but you will need to ask them particular questions and give them your engine particulars so they can quickly answer your questions. Without a book, there are plenty of places to make mistakes (like putting pistons in facing the wrong way, or putting rod or main caps on backwards or in the wrong location).Take your time and read before doing something you can't undo.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 167
Likes: 42
From: Virginia
You might want to say what size motor you have, horsepower, and the year of the Corvette. There are plenty of "How To" books on the market. How to rebuild your small/big block Chevy has been around forever. If you took pics, that should help a lot. Get the A.I.M. (factory assembly manual) from one of the many vendors on this forum to aid in the process of brackets, hoses, etc. If you've never done this, this may be a lot to learn and there will be special tools needed (torque wrench, ring compressor, etc). There are plenty of specialists here to help you out but you will need to ask them particular questions and give them your engine particulars so they can quickly answer your questions. Without a book, there are plenty of places to make mistakes (like putting pistons in facing the wrong way, or putting rod or main caps on backwards or in the wrong location).Take your time and read before doing something you can't undo.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,168
Likes: 7,952
From: Napa Valley California
This is the Bible!
I built a couple of big blocks back in the day using the big block addition of this book.
The big question is:
What if any performance modifications did you make during the machining of the block and heads, and what if any aftermarket performance parts did you purchase.
Simple honing, boring or slight decking shouldn’t cause any issues using these books, but if you purchased high compression pistons, a stroker crank kit, performance camshaft, aftermarket heads, different rockers, pushrods etc, then these books will do you little to no good at all.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 41
From: Catawba, N.C. USA
Engine Reassembly
David Vizard "How to Rebuild Your Small Block Chevy." Classic how to manual, photos, advice, tools etc. Its been a helpful resource for my garage budget 383 stroker build.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
When I assembled my engine I used multiple you tube videos for basically every procedure along the way. youll want plastigauge to measure bearing tolerances.. I remember being intimidated in the beginning but then realizing its wasnt all that bad at all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 878
Likes: 55
From: Deep South Denmark
This guy made a whole series on how to rebuild. Lots of good information there. It's for a big block, but most of it is the same anyway:
https://www.youtube.com/@johnnykcarsnguitars/videos
https://www.youtube.com/@johnnykcarsnguitars/videos
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 569
From: Wisconsin
It might sound silly, but a few winters ago, I watched the entire PowerNation/Engine Power series with Pat Topolinski.
They do a good job of explaining things and repeating and drilling on the important basic stuff of engine building, like degreeing cams, valve clearances, gapping rings, etc. Oh, and zero drama and hard selling of sponsor's products, so you can focus on the learning.
If nothing else, it might help you catch some of those small gotchas that you are taking about.
They do a good job of explaining things and repeating and drilling on the important basic stuff of engine building, like degreeing cams, valve clearances, gapping rings, etc. Oh, and zero drama and hard selling of sponsor's products, so you can focus on the learning.
If nothing else, it might help you catch some of those small gotchas that you are taking about.
Instructor
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 178
Likes: 264
I recently did a complete tear down and had a machine shop do some work on my 400sbc. I was meticulous in my tear down, labeling, taking pictures and organizing parts. The issue is, because of how long it was at the shop and available time on my end, that was over 6 months ago. I was wondering if there are any reliable youtube videos or books that walk through exactly how to reassemble it. Like all the little stuff that I would likely forget doing or not know to do because this is the first time I have torn an engine apart. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
good luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 167
Likes: 42
From: Virginia
I’ve gotten all the pistons and cranks installed, that was a job trying to do it alone while everything is slippery from the oil.
I’ve watched powernation a good amount and they drop a lot of good tips.
thanks for the help so far! No issues yet but I still have a bunch to do!
I’ve watched powernation a good amount and they drop a lot of good tips.
thanks for the help so far! No issues yet but I still have a bunch to do!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 167
Likes: 42
From: Virginia
my one advice to a first time assembler is make sure you get the large end of the connecting rod orientation correct or the engine will not turn over. My second advice is to turn the engine over after every new part installed so that can pinpoint the piece which is giving you trouble. That way you can immediately redo the error and avoid hunting down issues when the engine is completely assembled.
good luck
good luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 167
Likes: 42
From: Virginia
Yeah it was in the car when I bought it. I put new heads, rockers, pushrods and lifters last year because the heads on it were trash. I had them do steam holes last years when I swapped the heads.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 11,696
Likes: 48
Just a tip that I learned many moons ago when I rebuilt Chevy. Get some short length rubber gas line tubing that will fit over the connecting rod bolts. Put them on when you install the pistons . This will prevent the accidental "nicking" of your crankshaft journal.
Don't ask how I know.
Don't ask how I know.