Learning how to build an engine?

[danielhv]

I'm curious what resources are out there for learning how to build an engine from the block up... I have a basic understanding of some of it, but I guess what I'm looking for is a semi-walkthrough explaining what to do and why...

Does something like this exist?

I'd like to start building one to replace the one in my DD some day... so it's a street car, not anything fancy.

[Dlachance]

Therebis a ton of info on the interweb. Buy an engine, rip it apart, then put it back together. You'll learn quick. There is a LOT of info everywhere.

[danielhv]

Therebis a ton of info on the interweb. Buy an engine, rip it apart, then put it back together. You'll learn quick. There is a LOT of info everywhere.

Okay, where do I buy an engine at? Do I just get 1 from a junk yard? Or do I get 1 from like city motor supply?

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[Vertnut]

Find an old running (barely) 5.0 (or whatever your interested in) and freshen it up. Short-blocks are fundamentally pretty easy to do: rings, bearings, inserts, etc. Hell, years ago I used an old Chilton's manual and it broke everything down. It had all the clearances/gaps and was step-by-step.

[Captain Crawfish]

engine building requires machine work balancing etc. you can check clearances etc all day long but unless you have the equip to machine the clearances etc your better off allowing a machine shop to do it.

[Vertnut]

engine building requires machine work balancing etc. you can check clearances etc all day long but unless you have the equip to machine the clearances etc your better off allowing a machine shop to do it.

Of course.

[slow84lx]

Every parts store and many book stores have how-to books on engine rebuilding. You can even find them in used book stores for cheap. Some are for a very specific engine and some are more universal in theme. The absolute best way to learn is to educate yourself first through reading several books on the subject and then practicing what you learned. Pick up a used engine and spend a winter tearing it apart, cleaning every bit of it, and putting it back together so that it will run. When it fires up for the first time you will be so proud of it you will be walking on the clouds.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SAD-SA102/

Good luck with your project!

[slow84lx]

On second thought,.......perhaps Spurlock Racing could give some discounted lessons.

[Blackpony]

Check out sbfbuilding.com.

[danielhv]

On second thought,.......perhaps Spurlock Racing could give some discounted lessons.

Lol yea yea yea

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[naynay]

engine building requires machine work balancing etc. you can check clearances etc all day long but unless you have the equip to machine the clearances etc your better off allowing a machine shop to do it.

teamjacob says balancing is optional...

[Dawkins]

I built the 455 that is in my trans am and with it getting harder to find a good machine shop to take a really old motor and the availablity of LS motors unless you just hate conversions I don't know that it is really worth building your own anymore. I know I wouldnt rebuild another 455 or even a chevy 350 for the car in this day and age.

[slow84lx]

After thinking it over, an excellent way to do this on the cheap and not take up a ton of space is to pick up a pair of E7 heads from a board member, take them apart, clean everything, and reassemble. Sometimes they need machine work, sometimes they don't. Figure it out and ask questions. Get them perfectly rebuilt and put them on your car one weekend. Believe me, nothing will teach you how to work on stuff better than getting your hands on your own car.

Many of the board members have switched to better heads on their cars and have E7's taking up space in their garage. They will give them away or sell for dirt cheap.

If you want to take it a step further do some porting work on them while they are apart. E7's respond well to porting. They will never equal an aftermarket head results but can be made considerably better with some attention to detail and metal removal in just the right places.http://www.diyporting.com/index.html


After you have successfully tackled a project of this nature you will know whether or not you want to move on to bigger things. If you enjoyed it, pick up a used shortblock and do the same thing.

[TEAMJACOB]

teamjacob says balancing is optional...

Low blow bro. Low blow

[geartaker]

[QUOTE=danielhv;849658]Okay, where do I buy an engine at? Do I just get 1 from a junk yard? Or do I get 1 from like city motor supply?

There are a couple 5.0's,a 351C,351m/400 and couple other ones i havent got to check out yet but im hopeing they're big blocks and at least one of the blocks are good.Anyways if you are looking for one to play with let me know cause I believe I only pay .25 cents a pound for them.One of the guys got one last week and ended up being a 347 and just needed a new head and couple gaskiets replaced. But alot of the engine blocks are cracked but never hurt to see.