Engine Rebuilding
#1
Senior Member
MASTER BUILDER
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Red Deer, AB Canada
Posts: 213
Engine Rebuilding
I was wondering how many guys rebuild / refresh their own racing engines?
I have rebuilt engines in the past and all has went well. But now I have a 950 HP BBC and was wondering if can do the work myself (except the machining, of course).
I have rebuilt engines in the past and all has went well. But now I have a 950 HP BBC and was wondering if can do the work myself (except the machining, of course).
#2
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Coldwater, MI
Posts: 2,998
Re: Engine Rebuilding
Originally Posted by kod99
I was wondering how many guys rebuild / refresh their own racing engines?
I have rebuilt engines in the past and all has went well. But now I have a 950 HP BBC and was wondering if can do the work myself (except the machining, of course).
I have rebuilt engines in the past and all has went well. But now I have a 950 HP BBC and was wondering if can do the work myself (except the machining, of course).
#3
Member
JUNIOR BUILDER
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: New Richmond, WI.
Posts: 87
I agree with hammer. i hate sendin my motors out and do all mine myslef but mine are nothing like what you guys run. if i had that much money into one i would sent it out to help avoid any little screw ups.
#4
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Belleville, IL
Posts: 658
I got screwed back in 1990 by a guy who did a SBC for me. Dumb ass didn't tighten down a rod nut properly, and it came off during a pass. Found the nut, with threads perfect, down in the pan.
Of course, since it was a 'race' motor, he exempted himself from any liability. Thankfully, his old ass is now pushing up daisies.
Never let anyone else touch any motors of mine from then on out.
Of course, since it was a 'race' motor, he exempted himself from any liability. Thankfully, his old ass is now pushing up daisies.
Never let anyone else touch any motors of mine from then on out.
#5
Senior Member
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Red Deer, AB Canada
Posts: 213
Re: Engine Rebuilding
Originally Posted by hammertime
Originally Posted by kod99
I was wondering how many guys rebuild / refresh their own racing engines?
I have rebuilt engines in the past and all has went well. But now I have a 950 HP BBC and was wondering if can do the work myself (except the machining, of course).
I have rebuilt engines in the past and all has went well. But now I have a 950 HP BBC and was wondering if can do the work myself (except the machining, of course).
What are you guys paying for a refresh (bearings, rings, valve springs, etc)?
#6
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Coldwater, MI
Posts: 2,998
Re: Engine Rebuilding
Originally Posted by kod99
Originally Posted by hammertime
Originally Posted by kod99
I was wondering how many guys rebuild / refresh their own racing engines?
I have rebuilt engines in the past and all has went well. But now I have a 950 HP BBC and was wondering if can do the work myself (except the machining, of course).
I have rebuilt engines in the past and all has went well. But now I have a 950 HP BBC and was wondering if can do the work myself (except the machining, of course).
What are you guys paying for a refresh (bearings, rings, valve springs, etc)?
When I freshen, rings, bearings, lifters, springs, timing chain, valve job, depending on how old the rods are sometimes they get new rod bolts. then a dyno session before it goes home. With all my stuff on the motor and not the engine shops stuff.
#7
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: La.
Posts: 2,890
I've always built my own engines, but have the machining done outside, but i have all the checking/measuring equipment to check anything the machine shop does. I think if you don't have the checking equipment or the knowledge to check the machine work and the clearances, then you should let someone build the engine who does. The only thing i can't check is the balancing, and crank index.
JMO
Zip.
JMO
Zip.
#8
Originally Posted by zipper06
I've always built my own engines, but have the machining done outside, but i have all the checking/measuring equipment to check anything the machine shop does. I think if you don't have the checking equipment or the knowledge to check the machine work and the clearances, then you should let someone build the engine who does. The only thing i can't check is the balancing, and crank index.
JMO
Zip.
JMO
Zip.
DITTO here....
#9
i will assemble a no HP dailey Driver Motor.....but i ain't gonna try and pack that stuff in on this High Dollar 1400hp Big chief stUFF....ETC....you talking about 500 to 700 assembly fee....and when you got over 20k or more in a Bullet.......do the math...... :roll: .
If you don't think there is A difference in a mechanically inclined weekend warrior putting the motor together compared To the likes of a Gene Fulton...think again......and i do not mean just a Hp thing...i mean the longevity of the motor....protect your investment !!!!
JMO
If you don't think there is A difference in a mechanically inclined weekend warrior putting the motor together compared To the likes of a Gene Fulton...think again......and i do not mean just a Hp thing...i mean the longevity of the motor....protect your investment !!!!
JMO
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Bjuice..
"I'M YOUR HUCKLEBERRY ! "
Bjuice..
"I'M YOUR HUCKLEBERRY ! "
#10
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Belleville, IL
Posts: 658
Originally Posted by bjuice
i will assemble a no HP dailey Driver Motor.....but i ain't gonna try and pack that stuff in on this High Dollar 1400hp Big chief stUFF....ETC....you talking about 500 to 700 assembly fee....and when you got over 20k or more in a Bullet.......do the math...... :roll: .
If you don't think there is A difference in a mechanically inclined weekend warrior putting the motor together compared To the likes of a Gene Fulton...think again......and i do not mean just a Hp thing...i mean the longevity of the motor....protect your investment !!!!
JMO
If you don't think there is A difference in a mechanically inclined weekend warrior putting the motor together compared To the likes of a Gene Fulton...think again......and i do not mean just a Hp thing...i mean the longevity of the motor....protect your investment !!!!
JMO
454 - Over revvd due to loose converter and floated the valves.
505 - Too lean and too much timing, banged the blower, bent an Oliver rod, and cracked #5 cylinder wall.
568 - 6 passes on it... still perfect.
I guess it comes down to knowing how measure properly, knowing what the clearances should be in the first place, and having the proper tools to do the job correctly.
Anyone can make a mistake, even Fulton, Oddy, Reher Morrison, Sonny Leonard, etc etc etc... I'd sooner have it be my fault if the assembly is incorrect than someone else who I paid to do it and then says "Well, it's a race motor".