build it yourself?

[zipzip]

I was wondering how many of you have built your engine yourselves? It seems like there is a lot of discussion and responses dealing with engine builders. I have absolutely nothing against that, but was wondering on the reasoning. Personally, I like having touched every part - even at the risk of the novice effect. Was it perhaps a time issue? Couldn't wait to get on to the rest of the car? Certainly can't be a cost savings over a short block assy from one of the manufacturer's if you have any confidence in your ability.

Let me know.

[zipzip]

Sorry about the picture... I reduced the res down too small...

[zipzip]

ok, fixed the pic

[Mr.Fixit]

Because you have iron heads on the motor in th picture, I am assuming your motor is relatively stock. Once you decide to up the HP, the parts bill gets really expensive, and so does the cost of making a mistake. Not to mention that once you start changing things, the need for experience to determine the best parts combo for that stroker is worth the few extra dollars it costs to have the pro engine builder do it.

[Roscoe]

So..ah..Zip...er...are you putting that engine in that bugeye?

Anyway. I decided to have a short block built locally by Engine Factory, to my specs. Mild cam, 9.5 pistons. I took my time and built it up from there. Again, with reliability in mind, I did not want a radical engine. You really don't need one in these cars.
I used AFR 185's , Performer manifold, 650 speed demon, roller rockers and MSD dist and ignition.

I've got 15k on it and no problems. I've also had it at some open track events.

These crate and turnkey engines are nice but there are always a few parts I don't want and would swap out for other brands, etc. So I decided to assemble my own. I'm not sorry.

Roscoe

Roscoe

[BB427]

fIXIT is on the money. You can read a book and "reassemble" a basic engine. It's when you go for the HP and mix and match parts everything has to be checked and rechecked. Most of the parts will require alot of precise machine work. It is less expensive to do it yourself instead of using an engine builder. BUT IF SHE BLOWS your expense is double.

An experienced engine builder can usually take an engine apart and put it back together with no mods. and gain horsepower.

[TomH]

ZipZip,

I think you're right on. No doubt that Jack Roush, Keith Kraft, etc can build a bigger, better, faster, and maybe even cheaper engines than I can. That's never going to be an issue. It's one of those journey versus destination things.

[Clois Harlan]

I bought my engine 6 mos before I took delivery of my car. I went to the salvage and found a late model Lincoln with a 302 in it. I pulled everything off and sent the block and crank to my machinist. I then ordered rods, rings, pistons etc. and took them to my machinist. Once he checked my block and did all the squaring, cam bearings, balancing and everything I picked everything back up. I put together the short block together. Later I received my Edelbrock heads and took them to the machinist for a little detail work and some heavier springs that would be required for my cam. I assembled the rest of the enging at that point. In fact my old 302 looked a lot like yours except I had the aluminium valve covers from Ford. Great performing engine once I put some 3.73 gears in the rear end.

On my 428 CJ I wanted a little more of a racing engine so I let my machinist do all the work at one time. Every thing I touched on the FE engine was wrong so this time I didn't touch a thing.

Clois

[auto10x]

It is always rewarding to "do it your self". Automotive engines are not rocket science, however, as was said before, when one starts to mix and match parts in the quest for more power and torque things get very technical and complicated. If you don't think so, perhaps you should seek out a knowledgable professional, because you're headed down the road called dsisaster, IMHO.
auto10x
Bill

[Robert T. Faust]

How did you put that great picture in your posting? I'd like to show the engine I built along with a brief explanation.

[Tongue Pirate]

I think some people are more patient, more attentive to detail & have more desire to do things the right way than others. It's probably a good idea to figure out where you are on this scale first then decide the best course of action for your "Project".

[zipzip]

Good point, guys, about the complexity vs. cost factor! Just hop over to the thread "engine lasted 20 minutes" for a definite example. Again, right on about the "stock" appearance of my engine. I put a little oomph on the cam, and those are GT-40 heads, which'll breathe a little easier than stock, but otherwise it's pretty much stock. I figured I'd get the hang of the car then decide if I want to stroke this engine and do performance mods, or bump <waaay> up to the BB's. It is a labor of love and I planned it that way. One night a week, do as much as I can myself, read CC as much as possible, the rest of the week with the family....you know.

Robert - there is a spot on the posting screen to attach a file. I had to reduce the image down from what my camera snaps at - I used Microsoft photo editor and changed the image size and jpeg compression. As you can see from my first posts, I went a little too far and it looked like a jigsaw puzzle, but I fixed it.

Roscoe - my father in-law would love it if I could shoehorn it in...but no, it's reserved for the cobra. I'm in a holding pattern now because were doing a complete teardown on a 62 healey 3000 - almost done and wow is it beautiful - ice blue with cream inset on the doors!

[Rick Parker]

I've always had the desire to tweak the engines in the cars that were not my daily drivers. Through the years I've made a point of reading many of the various technical articals that have been in the various magazines and made a point of trying to understand how a given modification actually affected the volumetric efficiency of the engine in question. Made for interesting reading. I enjoy doing all my own work. It's my therapy. I find it very rewarding.






Rick..................Now if I can just figure out this computer stuff!
Small Block/small picture.........

Thanks Ron

[Jack21]

"Building" an engine is really a joint project between you and your machinist. He makes sure all the pieces fit, and are correct for your application. You assemble the pieces and double check his work.

This shouldn't be your first engine, and it should be a form of relaxation or therapy.

[427 S/O]

Jack21 is right, your machinist needs to know, you know!