Engine rebuild time - need advice and help

[chrislehr]

OK - so I have two ways this can go.

If my block is an original 70 block, I plan to pull and stroke to 383. I plan on using shops for ALL work, as I really am unable to do this and learn on the fly as well.

So few questions:
1) What the f&^$ do I want to do? Go 383, sure - what pistons/rods/etc BS do I want/need? How do I tell an engine builder what I want.
2) What does this cost? I found a builder recommended from someone.. he needs the engine brought to him (not a garage, a engine rebuilding shop) so how much to get a mechanic to pick and engine out? How much to have guy in #1 paid? How much in parts?

I have a few side work deals for around 2500 coming in, and that ALL can go towards this.

So cliffs:
1970 c10, was running, new tires, suspension, and blown ring in #6. Rebuild it all for $2500, and is it possible to go stroked 383 and add all those parts as well as a new intake/manifold for that much?

Can I do it?

[jsbgump]

To build a 383 with shops doin all of the work i think will be tuff to get it done for the 2500. Just my .02

[chrislehr]

Originally Posted by jsbgump

To build a 383 with shops doin all of the work i think will be tuff to get it done for the 2500. Just my .02

Thats fine, I can save... what would you guess ballpark?

I MIGHT be able to have some friends help me remove and reinstall the engine, how much would that cut out?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I think you could probably get it done for 3,000-3500. Shop around. (no pun intended)

[john02fxdl]

It will be tough, but it can be done. Summit has your 383 stroker kit for $1000. Then you have to pay someone to do the work (approx. $1000 for all the work to the block, assembly of parts and head work.) Then buy cam and lifter kit, timing chain, pushrods, and intake. In this scenario, you would have to re-use your dist., water pump, exhaust manifolds/headers, carb, all outside components including valve covers, timing chain cover, oil pan and brackets. I'm sure I'm missing something. Also think about snafu money. If something doesn't fit right or an unforseen purchase will definitely put you over 2500.

[chrislehr]

Originally Posted by john02fxdl

It will be tough, but it can be done. Summit has your 383 stroker kit for $1000. Then you have to pay someone to do the work (approx. $1000 for all the work to the block, assembly of parts and head work.) Then buy cam and lifter kit, timing chain, pushrods, and intake. In this scenario, you would have to re-use your dist., water pump, exhaust manifolds/headers, carb, all outside components including valve covers, timing chain cover, oil pan and brackets. I'm sure I'm missing something. Also think about snafu money. If something doesn't fit right or an unforseen purchase will definitely put you over 2500.

Herein lies the issue. I went to summit, tried to search/filter - and I cant figure out which 700-1400 package is what I even want/need.

This is why I am starting to think my lack of build knowledge is going to make it go over 2500.

*bump*

[70rs/ss]

This is a forged kit, not necessary, but a good idea for longevity. This needs to be balanced and can be done for another ($250)

POWERHOUSE
Chevrolet 383ci Forged Stroker Kit
$948.00
105 LB

Product Description
• Your Choice Piston:
1. Flat Top (2 Valve Reliefs 10.7:1 w/64cc) PROBE
2. Recess (22cc Dish 8.8:1 w/64cc) PROBE
• 5140 Forged Steel Stroker Crank
• 5140 5.7" Forged I Beam Steel Rods (Press Pin Only)
• Moly Ring Set
• King Chamfered Rod/Main Bearings
• Fel Pro Gasket Set

Flexplate: Automatic Transmission

Double Check The Rear Main Seal On Your Crank Before Finalizing Order. Blocks up to '85 are 2Pc. Rear Main Seal and 1Pc. Rear Main Seal in '85 Up. Our kit utilizes a 6.75" Balancer.

• SOME MACHINING REQUIRED.
• THIS KIT WILL NOT FIT LS1.

***This Kit Must Be Balanced***

NO RETURNS ON STROKER KITS.

383SK
Balance (Inc. SFI Flexplate/Balancer, 2Pc.) To '84 (+$269.00)
Balance (Inc. SFI Flexplate/Balancer, 1Pc.) '85 Up (+$289.00)
4340 5.7" H Beam Rods(Press Pin Only) (+$140.00)
4340 Forged Crank (+$200.00)

Piston Sizes
[ - Select Piston Sizes - ]Standard - Pistons.030 - Pistons.040 - Pistons.060 - Pistons
Piston Type
[ - Select Piston Type - ]Flat Top (PROBE)Recess (PROBE)
Rear Main Seal
[ - Select Rear Main Seal - ]1 Piece2 Piece






383SK
POWERHOUSE
Chevrolet 383ci Stroker Kit
$469.00
105 LB

Product Description
• Your Choice Piston:
1. Flat Top (2 Valve Reliefs 10.7:1 w/64cc)
2. Recess (9.5:1 w/64cc)
• CR1 5.7" Connecting Rods(Press Pin Only)
• Street/Strip Piston Rings
• Rod Bearings
• Main Bearings
• Cast Stroker Crank
• Full Gasket Set (2-Pc. Seal/Carb. Only)

Flexplate: Automatic Transmission
Flywheel: Manual Transmission

Double Check The Rear Main Seal On Your Crank Before Finalizing Order. Blocks up to '85 are 2Pc. Rear Main Seal and 1Pc. Rear Main Seal in '85 Up.

• SOME MACHINING REQUIRED.
• THIS KIT WILL NOT FIT LS1/LT1

FEATURED IN MAY-JULY 2007 ISSUES OF SUPER CHEVY!

***This Kit Must Be Balanced***

NO RETURNS ON STROKER KITS.

383SK
Balance (Inc. Flexplate, Balancer, 2-Pc.) To '84 (+$199.00)
Balance (Inc. Flexplate, Balancer, 1-Pc.) '85 Up (+$269.00)
CR3 Rods w/ARP Bolts (+$60.00)
Moly Rings (+$12.00)
New Stock Flywheel (2-Pc. Seal) To '84 (+$110.00)
New Stock Flywheel (1-Pc. Seal) '85 Up (+$145.00)

Piston Sizes
[ - Select Piston Sizes - ]Standard - Pistons.020 - Pistons.030 - Pistons.060 - Pistons
Piston Type
[ - Select Piston Type - ]Flat Top Piston (10.7:1 w/64cc)Recess Piston (9.5:1 w/64cc)
Rear Main Seal
[ - Select Rear Main Seal - ]1 Piece2 Piece
Transmission
[ - Select Transmission - ]AutomaticManual

Fully balanced!!

SCAT Engine Components 1-90500BI $934.95

Brand: SCAT Engine Components
Product Line: Scat Engine Rotating Assemblies
Part Type: Engine Rotating Kits
Part Number: SCA-1-90500BI
Actual Engine CID: 383
Engine Stroke (in): 3.750 in.
Pistons Included: Yes
Piston Rings Included: Yes
Piston and Ring Oversize (in): 0.030 in.
Piston Material: Hypereutectic aluminum
Piston Style: Dish, with a D-shaped cup
Piston Head Volume (cc): +19.00cc
Wrist Pin Style: Floating
Piston Ring Facing Material: Plasmamoly
Crankshaft Included: Yes
Crankshaft Material: Cast iron
Rear Main Seal Style: 2-piece
Balanced: Yes
Engine Balance: Internal
Connecting Rods Included: Yes
Connecting Rod Material: Forged 4340 steel
Connecting Rod Beam Style: I-beam
Rod Bearings Included: Yes
Rod Bearing Undersize (in): Stock
Rod Bearing Undersize (mm): Stock
Main Bearings Included: Yes
Main Bearing Undersize (in): Stock
Main Bearing Undersize (mm): Stock
Cam Bearings Included: No
Gaskets Included: No
Oil Pump Included: No
Camshaft Included: No
Lifters Included: No
Timing Chain and Gears Included: No
Plastigage Included: No
Assembly Lubricant Included: No
Quantity: Sold as a kit.
Notes: Connecting rods include 3/8 in. ARP 8740 cap screw bolts.

Engine Rotating Assembly, Series 9000, Cast Crank, Hypereutectic Pistons, I-Beam Rods, Small Block Chevy, Kit

Check to make sure this part fits your application Scat engine rotating assemblies help you put together a winning combination.
These Scat engine rotating assemblies are available with either a high-quality Scat forged 4340 crankshaft or Scat's Series 9000 cast crankshaft and I-beam or H-beam connecting rods, with 7/16 in. or 3/8 in. cap screw bolts. For maximum power and reliability, Scat adds rod and main bearings from Federal Mogul or Clevite 77, depending upon the application, and pistons and piston rings made by such well-known manufacturers as JE, Ross, KB, and Mahle. Kits with cast pistons have standard rings; kits with forged pistons have file-fit rings.



OK, above I listed three 383 rotating assemblies. The Powerhouse kits are not balanced, so add another $250 to the sale price. The SCAT kit is balanced so they end up being fairly close except one of the powerhouse kits has a forged crank (not necessary for an engine making under 500hp!) So figure the powerhouse cast kit is $469 + balance($250) = $719, so it is about $200 cheaper than the Scat assembly and the powerhouse kit is a decent budget kit with name brand parts. Add in $600 for a good set of aftermarket heads and you are at $1300, machine work should be another $500 (notice with new heads you save about $3-500 on machine work and end up with a way better head!!) $1800 so far, $200 for intake, buy other stuff (cam lifters, gaskets, etc, etc and I am pretty sure $2500 is a realistic cost, assuming you pull the engine and install it yourself. Once the engine is out deliver it to the machine shop, disassembled will save you even more $$$$. If you like the Powerhouse assembly, give your engine builder a chance to get you a kit of thier suppliers, they may be able to save you some $$$$ as well. My machine shop got me a 383 kit for $699, that needed balanced, but had Kieth Black pistons, forged rods, ARP bolts, etc, etc.


The other option is to pull a Vortec 350 from a 96-99 Chevy truck and get a good set of Vortec heads to rebuild, along with a roller cam and lifters. The roller cam will ensure you have no issues with oil and flat cam lobes on a flat tappet type cam. Roller cams can be had for $200 and the oe roller lifters can be reused!!

[70rs/ss]

BTW a rebuild or a swap to a 383 can be done for $1200-1800. Add in for the intake ($200, cam lifters $200/flat tappet, $200 for a roller cam alone, gaskets $75, etc, etc) and the engine is done for $1700-2300 tops!!! The labor to pull and install an engine would blow the budget, but literally 6 bolts, hold the motor to the trans, flywheel bolts 3, motor mounts 2 bolts, 2 rad hoses, and fuel line or two etc, etc and I can have a v8 pulled in an hour or so by myself, so it is easily doable, and reinstallation is just the backwards of pulling!!


I just spent $2600 on my 383 but I was shooting for over 500hp/torq and that takes a lot of other $$$$ machinery (main cap studs, aling hone the block, used torq plates to hone cylinders, port work on my heads, new screw in studs and guides on the heads as well, etc, etc) so a stockish 383 build should be well under the $2500!!! It should make an honest 350-400hp, and at least that much torq!!

[70rs/ss]

Read this article and talk to the machine shop, you can do it!!!


http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...evy/index.html

[chrislehr]

wow - long but good article. Bookmarkin for tonight.

[BradE]

http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/956274933.html

Not mine, but within budget!

[cdowns]

check your local library out for books on how to rebuild and hopupa smallblock chevy engine//readup BEFORE taking apart

[bigsnookmaster]

I agree with cdowns. Read the books, Knowledge is power!