Chevu V8 Engine rebuild
Discussion
Hi folks,
I want to build a dax 427 after much deliberation, but I want to learn more about engines and rebuilding them. I was going to buy a chevy 350 block (including rods,pistons and major workings) that needed rebuilding, but don't have much experience of working on the internals of engines. What is the feeling on the forum, is it easy enough for someone who has a bit of knowledge. I used to service my old escort and scirroco, including brakes etc.I have the space in my garage and its clean with painted floors and insulated garage door etc.I have recently just rennovated my own house, if that gives you any idea on ability including plumbing etc.
Also where is the best place to buy parts if I was to embark on this. I have been looking on e-bay but have had some bad experiences with my ducati and so called genuine parts!
Thanks very much in advance.
I want to build a dax 427 after much deliberation, but I want to learn more about engines and rebuilding them. I was going to buy a chevy 350 block (including rods,pistons and major workings) that needed rebuilding, but don't have much experience of working on the internals of engines. What is the feeling on the forum, is it easy enough for someone who has a bit of knowledge. I used to service my old escort and scirroco, including brakes etc.I have the space in my garage and its clean with painted floors and insulated garage door etc.I have recently just rennovated my own house, if that gives you any idea on ability including plumbing etc.
Also where is the best place to buy parts if I was to embark on this. I have been looking on e-bay but have had some bad experiences with my ducati and so called genuine parts!
Thanks very much in advance.
Edited by K3EFH on Tuesday 5th May 15:37
If you had in front of you a complete engine along with all its ancillaries then you would be in a reasonable position to give it a refresh.
If you only have a block and some moving bits then you are going to have a very steep learning curve in order to source the remaining bits.
If you want lots of performance then go to someone like BoostedLS1 on here and get an engine built.
If you think a standard engine will do the job bearing in mind that even a bog standard Chevy engine packs a punch then look at some of the sources in the states for a rip-out engine which will turn up on a pallet with everything you need but a bit grubby.
If you do want to go the rebuild or even building for more power then I can point you at some books to buy.
Steve
If you only have a block and some moving bits then you are going to have a very steep learning curve in order to source the remaining bits.
If you want lots of performance then go to someone like BoostedLS1 on here and get an engine built.
If you think a standard engine will do the job bearing in mind that even a bog standard Chevy engine packs a punch then look at some of the sources in the states for a rip-out engine which will turn up on a pallet with everything you need but a bit grubby.
If you do want to go the rebuild or even building for more power then I can point you at some books to buy.
Steve
Google is your friend.
How about this one in the UK
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHEVROLET-ENGINE-AND-AUTO-GE...
Mind you its a 400ci so if you stripped it and replaced the 400 crank with a 350 crank it would rev like a goodun.
Steve
How about this one in the UK
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHEVROLET-ENGINE-AND-AUTO-GE...
Mind you its a 400ci so if you stripped it and replaced the 400 crank with a 350 crank it would rev like a goodun.
Steve
I was looking into this for a while, but I didn't keep all of the links. Have a good trawl with google - there are a couple of small operations who do these cut-out used engines - as I recall, an ordinary iron 350 chevy was only 500 quid or so. If you spend a couple of nights looking, you should find 'em. Cobra forums are probably a good bet.
Give real steel a call
www.realsteel.co.uk
They could help you out, i have rebuilt loads of "cutouts" parts are cheap so change everything, stick with a 350 or 327 the 400 bores can go porous. there are hundreds of "rebuilding the small block Chevy" books and they are really good, unlike the Haynes manuals. its a piece of cake, and you'll love it.
PS; If you put a 305 crank in a 350 you could build yourself a 327 screamer.There are loads of options.
good luck let us know how you get on!
Paul
www.realsteel.co.uk
They could help you out, i have rebuilt loads of "cutouts" parts are cheap so change everything, stick with a 350 or 327 the 400 bores can go porous. there are hundreds of "rebuilding the small block Chevy" books and they are really good, unlike the Haynes manuals. its a piece of cake, and you'll love it.
PS; If you put a 305 crank in a 350 you could build yourself a 327 screamer.There are loads of options.
good luck let us know how you get on!
Paul
Get hold of David Vizard's 'How To Rebuild Small Block Chevy' book (or similar) and study it before doing anything. Familiarise yourself with the tools you're going to need and make sure you source all of these before you start. Basically (and off the top of my head), you'll need a decent 1/2" drive torque wrench, a decent selection of metric and imperial sockets (incl. deep sockets), spanners, hex bits, dial indicator, vernier caliper, micrometer, piston ring compressor, piston ring gapping tool, rubber mallet, Plastigage, thread sealer and thread locker, pullers, harmonic balancer install/removal tool. Probably a couple of bits I've missed. Of course, you'll also need an engine stand.
An engine rebuild (to factory stock specs) isn't really complicated... you just need to be very methodical and careful. Measure and check everything at least twice.
Engine building for performance where you'll be changing heads, cam, pistons and, possibly, machining the block for performance reasons is a different kettle of fish and can get very complicated. For this, you need to have an intimate familiarity and understanding of numerous principles and formulas. Every component you 'upgrade' to a different spec has a knock-on effect and this is something you need to fully understand.
I'd highly recommend Real Steel for the supply of parts and for advice. Charles (the boss) is very helpful and tells it how it is. He's got years of engine building experience. Real Steel's prices are also very competitive. Roadcraft (Repower) are also a good alternative source for parts.
PS. Unless you'll be racing, the stock SBC crank and rods will be fine... too many people install forged steel cranks and H-beam rods for no good reason. Also, a 2-bolt block is perfectly fine unless you're aiming for insane power figures or looking at a blower or serious shot of NOS.
Cheers,
Ian.
An engine rebuild (to factory stock specs) isn't really complicated... you just need to be very methodical and careful. Measure and check everything at least twice.
Engine building for performance where you'll be changing heads, cam, pistons and, possibly, machining the block for performance reasons is a different kettle of fish and can get very complicated. For this, you need to have an intimate familiarity and understanding of numerous principles and formulas. Every component you 'upgrade' to a different spec has a knock-on effect and this is something you need to fully understand.
I'd highly recommend Real Steel for the supply of parts and for advice. Charles (the boss) is very helpful and tells it how it is. He's got years of engine building experience. Real Steel's prices are also very competitive. Roadcraft (Repower) are also a good alternative source for parts.
PS. Unless you'll be racing, the stock SBC crank and rods will be fine... too many people install forged steel cranks and H-beam rods for no good reason. Also, a 2-bolt block is perfectly fine unless you're aiming for insane power figures or looking at a blower or serious shot of NOS.
Cheers,
Ian.
Edited by ian_uk1975 on Wednesday 6th May 22:53
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