Recommendations for a first timer building a sbc
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
We have all been where this young man is now.
At this point in my life I have truly forgotten how many engines I have rebuilt. Had one come in to the shop 2 days ago. Apparently I completely rebuilt this customers engine from the crank up. Our new service manager asks me if I remember it. Even after repairing the issue, (a broken spring in a cam chain tensioner causing a rattle). I still don't remember it.
But my point is. Once upon a time. I dove into my very first engine rebuild. We all did.
only one way to learn. Throw the young man in the deep end. Some of us swim. Some drown
Only one way to know.
Buy tools. Do it yourself, only YOU love your car as much as you do!
Make mistakes,
OK.
Learning curve.
Move forward, learn from those mistakes. Keep going!
The immense pride from doing it yourself will truly be worth it in the end!
At this point in my life I have truly forgotten how many engines I have rebuilt. Had one come in to the shop 2 days ago. Apparently I completely rebuilt this customers engine from the crank up. Our new service manager asks me if I remember it. Even after repairing the issue, (a broken spring in a cam chain tensioner causing a rattle). I still don't remember it.
But my point is. Once upon a time. I dove into my very first engine rebuild. We all did.
only one way to learn. Throw the young man in the deep end. Some of us swim. Some drown
Only one way to know.
Buy tools. Do it yourself, only YOU love your car as much as you do!
Make mistakes,
OK.
Learning curve.
Move forward, learn from those mistakes. Keep going!
The immense pride from doing it yourself will truly be worth it in the end!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Not trying to be a kill joy with my last post on building the engine yourself. I personally think building it you learn something and there is real satisfaction in knowing you built it. If you do need to replace the internals of the short block and you say you want a cruiser don't waste anytime with a 350 stroke the engine. Try not to go over more then ..030 overbore. Sbc is not known for real thick cylinder walls.
