Best Engine Rebuild Kit?

[Hair]

1989 350 - who sells the best quality engine rebuild re-ring kit?

[Tom]

rebuild and re-ring are two completely different things, which are you doing?

[Hair]

My bad, I'm sorry - rebuild kit- it will be bored. New bearings, pistons, rings, gaskets, oil pump, timing chain... I plan on buying the cam and lifters separate so I think that's a "rebuild " kit. a "master rebuild kit" comes with cam and lifters... I reckon that's how it works.

I've been looking at the premium rebuild kits from Summit with Federal Mogul gaskets and Sealed Power pistons for about $350... is something like that the way to go?

In the past, I've used generic economic rebuild kits, but I just rebuilt two of the same Toyota engines for friends & family, one with generic parts and the other with all Toyota parts and high quality bearings, rings and pistons. After about 30k I can tell a difference in the two. After 40 years, I'm starting to think that maybe you do get what you pay for

So now I'm back at home with a Chevy and I'm thinking maybe the same principal applies? Should I go with all GM parts? Is the Summit kit better, is there something better out there? What do you guys use?... That's where I'm at. That's why I'm asking.

[iluvmy72]

I would hit the local rod shops in your area.....they might be able to help more

[BigBlocksRule]

^ yep, give the shop that's doing the machine work a shot at it. If they're way out of line with their estimate, either Summit or Northern. Look for Clevite bearings and moly coated rings, plasma moly is best.

[Tom]

I would go to the machine shop with the stuff you want and how much you can get it for, give them a chance to match or at least come close. If they aren't off by much then buying from them usually means a little more love in your machine work by them
If not, the premium kits from summit are a really good value IMO, I've used one before on a 5.0 ford.

[BigBlocksRule]

Originally Posted by Tom

I would go to the machine shop with the stuff you want and how much you can get it for, give them a chance to match or at least come close. If they aren't off by much then buying from them usually means a little more love in your machine work by them

That's been my exact experience - you're either a guy having machine work done or you're a customer.