Hi,

Just brought my engine to the machine shop. He said there is a CHANCE the block would need to be planed which would remove the engine numbers. He said I could use a gasket but would lose compression--power. The purpose of rebuilding this engine was to keep it original. What should I do.

Thanks Tom

 

I have read somewhere the block can be decked without losing the numbers. The machine shop just has to make the adjustment so they don't remove the numbers. Maybe someone will chime in and have more details for you.

 

I agree. Find another machine shop.


[Modified by Steve Grodin, 10:57 PM 11/29/2003]

 

have it measured, not touched yet, till you get more imput . i'd think it could
be decked AND leave pad with s#'s still there.... the only blocks i have seen
decked that far needed intake cut to, measure and check...

 

There is absolutely no way that I would let a shop deck my original block, no matter WHAT they say. Find another shop quick. You're building a motor for a street driven car, not a race car. A few 1/10th.s drop in compression using a thicker gasket isn't going to make a hill of beans difference in street performance.....might even run better on today's lower efficiency/octane fuels. Take your business elsewhere pronto. Chuck

 

Have 'em take all the measurements and talk to you first. They "CAN" cut block without removing numbers, but it's a little tricky. The cutter runs back and forth along the block and the operator will have to watch it and set it up to stop just short of numbers pad. This is not the way it is usually done, so it will take a little patience.

For a "numbers" deal, you aren't as concerned about max HP usually. You can get compression lots of ways during the build if you need it. Tell them to just verify that the deck will hold a headgasket. If you have to use a composition one then fine.

With some "real" machine work and parts selection you can overcome a "low" deck. Don't use std. rebuilder pistons. They typically have a .040 or so shorter deck built into them for blocks that are severely cut. Get the more performance oriented stuff that are a little taller. He can offset grind crank slightly if it's going to be turned anyway to raise pistons slightly higher, the rods can be bushed to raise pistons etc etc. There are tons of ways around decking a block. If you use aftermarket rods you can get whatever you want.

You can use std deck and the new .015 teflon coated gaskets to gain compression and seal great. For normal rebuild stuff, it won't really matter much. If you are wanting to build a "numbers" engine that runs better than the other guys "numbers" engine.....then we can get into the sneaky stuff!


JIM

 

Hi,

Thanks you all for the great advice.

Tom :flag :chevy