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[ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice

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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 08:08 PM
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Default [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice

I have a 350 short block that I want to do heads/cam/etc. upgrades on and toss in the vette. We pulled the engine from my friends pickup like 3 years ago and it ran great up to the day we pulled it. However that was 3 years ago... If I clean it up could I use it without doing a complete tear down? How should I get started?

Here's a bunch of pics of the SB:






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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 08:32 PM
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Default Re: [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice (Metal Wulf)

What are your goals for your Corvette, that will help with suggesting a direction to take ;)
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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 08:34 PM
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Default Re: [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice (Metal Wulf)

If it ran good, I would tear it down, clean it up and out and maybe re-hone the cylinder walls. Check your bearing clearances and if they are within tolerances, re-use them if you are on a budget. Personally, if it specs out ok, I'd spring for a complete set of bearings. It looks like to much rust has accumulated over the entire block. Good luck with your project.
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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 10:29 PM
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Default Re: [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice (Metal Wulf)

I think you should tear it down, you got it on the stand you won`t get a better chance than now to do it right. If you doing it all yourself, the only extra ya got to do is boil the block. A set of bearings does`nt cost much considering what your doing to the top end, a quick hone job and your about done. And be sure to check your crank and cylinder walls so there within specs. Good Luck!!!!! :chevy
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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 11:01 PM
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Default Re: [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice (BEBOP138)

looks like I will have to tear it down then. should make a fun winter project...

I'm shooting for 300-350hp 400ish tq. Nothing to crazy, just a fun weekend cruiser with some power to back up the looks.
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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 11:32 PM
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Default Re: [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice (Metal Wulf)

350HP with those 4 valve relief pistons will be a challenge to keep it reliable. The cylinder walls show signs of high mileage and the crosshatching that shold be there is not very evident. I think you should think about going to some cheap Speed Pro hypeutectic 2 valve relief pistons or Kieth Blacks, either would run around $200 plus some bearings and rings. The cam should be a matched one to your car, intended useage and drivetrain. I think you will waste your time by honing that motor and doing a simple re-ring and bearing job. The effort to install a motor into a Vette isn't worth it if you don't put a proper engine in there in the first place in my book. You havent covered cylinder heads that you have or what kind of Vette you are installing it in. I noticed the C5 in the back ground, if this is your car and you are low on funds, up the collision damage deductiable to $1,000 and with the money you save, you can build your motor.
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 12:43 AM
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Default Re: [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice (Solid LT1)

350HP with those 4 valve relief pistons will be a challenge to keep it reliable. The cylinder walls show signs of high mileage and the crosshatching that shold be there is not very evident. I think you should think about going to some cheap Speed Pro hypeutectic 2 valve relief pistons or Kieth Blacks, either would run around $200 plus some bearings and rings. The cam should be a matched one to your car, intended useage and drivetrain. I think you will waste your time by honing that motor and doing a simple re-ring and bearing job. The effort to install a motor into a Vette isn't worth it if you don't put a proper engine in there in the first place in my book. You havent covered cylinder heads that you have or what kind of Vette you are installing it in. I noticed the C5 in the back ground, if this is your car and you are low on funds, up the collision damage deductiable to $1,000 and with the money you save, you can build your motor.
my vette is the one in my sig at the top and lists current mods. That's not a C5 in the background it's a WS6 and that's my mom's baby.

I plan on doing it right and taking my time to do it, the vette runs great just no power, so as long as it's running great, i'm not in a rush to pull the motor.

Mods:
Dart Iron Eagle heads 64cc
Comp Cams XE268
Performer RPM Intake
Carb will either be tuned Q-jet or holley 750DP

Going for a compression ratio of 9.5-10:1
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 05:31 AM
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Default Re: [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice (Metal Wulf)

that motor looks bad IMO i would rebuild it-- but if you want to save money run it
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Old Apr 23, 2004 | 12:23 PM
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Default Re: [ENGINE PROJECT] Engine guys step inside, need some help/advice (Solid LT1)

350HP with those 4 valve relief pistons will be a challenge to keep it reliable. The cylinder walls show signs of high mileage and the crosshatching that shold be there is not very evident. I think you should think about going to some cheap Speed Pro hypeutectic 2 valve relief pistons or Kieth Blacks, either would run around $200 plus some bearings and rings. The cam should be a matched one to your car, intended useage and drivetrain. I think you will waste your time by honing that motor and doing a simple re-ring and bearing job. The effort to install a motor into a Vette isn't worth it if you don't put a proper engine in there in the first place in my book. You havent covered cylinder heads that you have or what kind of Vette you are installing it in. I noticed the C5 in the back ground, if this is your car and you are low on funds, up the collision damage deductiable to $1,000 and with the money you save, you can build your motor.
It doesn't cost that much more to do it right the first time. I would tear it down and take it to am machine shop and have it tanked and measured. Assuming the cylinder wear is not bad, build it back with new pistons with a touch more compression and new rings/bearings. Check PAW, Summit, or Northern Auto Warehouse for good engine kit deals. Even if you are on an absolute pittance budget, no way I put that engine in a car without AT LEAST rings and bearings. You don't show the heads, but plan to spend money for guides and a valve job minimum.
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