What Parts To Reuse In Rebuild

[Jahloha]

Team:

I am new to engines, but in case I rebuild the original engine, I am curious as to what parts I would keep to have "numbers matching"?

What other components would you consider reusing?

Mahalo!

[Lee H]

Numbers matching means lot of thing to lots of people. You’ll likely get different opinions here. To me anyway, numbers matching means the “born on parts”, not just scrounged up parts with the correct casting and date code. But then again I’m a long time midyear Corvette & early Nova tinkerer, and most of those guys are true fanatics when it comes to matching numbers. The engine is the principal item that in some instances contains part of the vin number on the front pad and will always contain the proper stampings on the front pad along with the correct casting number and date code corresponding to the vehicle build date, the heads will also contain a casting number and date a code close to the engines. The other components that are generally included in matching numbers discussion and have a casting number and or build date code that will correspond the you vehicle are the intake, carb, distributor, alternator, voltage regulator, water pump, transmission, differential, shocks, wheel cylinders, calipers, master cylinder, power steering & AC compressor if equipped, and probably a few other items I’ve forgotten. Most if not all these original things are usually missing after 40 plus years of service. Unless your doing a concourse frame off restoration I wouldn’t get to hung up on the whole numbers matching game.

If I was building a daily driver or even a weekend cruiser, for the engine anyway, I would go to after market for the heads, intake, carb, use an externally regulated alternator, HEI distributor to name a few items and if I had the born on parts I would just save them for possible future use.

[hamjet]

simply put if rebuilding original engine, only numbers anyone could ever see is block, and heads. you don't need to rebuild intake, exhaust manifolds, oil pan, just have them hot tanked. other components that could be reused if checked out OK would be rods, crank, ( might have to be turned) ( rockers, pushrods, cam and lifters will have to be replaced with alot of miles on them. The engine shop will give you a better idea. Good luck ...