So, I go away for the weekend and this is what I come back to...... I was expecting my kids to make a mess at the house (which they didn't) but I DIDN'T EXPECT THE CHILDISH BEHAVOUR ON THIS THREAD!!
John Marsey your right on , I'm just trying to get my car back on the road with some updates.
Excaliber: your comment "Sheessssh, whatever happened to building your own dam engine your way within a REASONABLE budget and driving it like you built it?"
I budgeted $3000 for my rebuild.
here's my current breakdown:
"semi" custom pistons- Diamond part 41310 with pins/moly rings/spiral locks shipped to CA $715.56
Eagle rods (CC member) $508 shipped
Edelbrock heads w/ Comp Roller rockers & Melling HV pump, MSD Pro-Billet (BACC member) $1100
Bearings, Cam set (gearscam lifters springs), gaskets $474.20
Machine Work: (block sleeved, bored, decked, cam bearings, crank turned) $650
Misc: tools, fluids,etc $100
Sold old heads iron ($450)
Total: $3097.76
I do ALL of my own "build" work (aside from the block machine work which is where I was seeking most advise from this forum). The parts decissions were done thru research, I talk directly to ALL of the "big dogs" on parts and mods.
On pistons (IMHO) there really doesn't appear to be a difference in quality between JE, Ross, Arias, Diamond. They all make quality pieces, have great references (race proven) I selected Diamond because of lead time & price (the fact that Genisis uses them in their block also helped). On whether or not to re-use 40 year old I-beams here's what Gessford say's on their web site "We Like to Install Eagle Rods in the Cobra engines we build for all the right reasons! RELIABILITY FOR THE BUCKS !"
Thanks to all, I'll let you know how things progress as I'm ready for break in.
Mike "monster"