So, the 350 was rebuilt, huh ?????

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mtnmankev

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After treating the cylinders with lots of penetrating oil and very fine emery cloth, I finally got the surface rust under control and was able to safely remove the pistons.
I posted a previous thread on this engine showing the rust.
When I pulled out the cam and lifters, I found a worn out camshaft, and worn lifters (of course).
The lifter on the right shows the normal cupped wear pattern, the one on the left has a dish big enough to serve a bowl of stew in ..........
Sorry the pic isn't that great, but in person looking at it, it's impressive how bad it's worn.
Obviously, somebody took some serious shortcuts in "rebuilding" the engine.
The local machine shop reopened yesterday for work, so the block and heads get to take a highway trip.
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bucket

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So, "rebuilt" must have meant it had some bearings replaced. And probably only the ones that were toasted. Are the pistons oversized?
 

mtnmankev

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It was partially rebuilt, pistons are .030 and the main/rod bearings were .010 and had horrible wear and scoring on them.
Plus a herd of slack in the timing chain (dual row).
 

Dmack

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Sounds like a rustoleum rebuild. Sucks
 

84 M1008

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This is the engine you bought for 100 bucks?
 

mtnmankev

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Yes, and probably the best thing from it for my money is the Edelbrock intake .............
Hopefully the vintage 1974 four bolt block is worth saving.
 

mtnmankev

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The heads are made in Mexico, which isn't necessarily bad, but the valve guides are worn really bad, and the valve seats need to be redone, so those obviously have lots of miles on them with little to no maintenance during their useful life.
Will need to bore the block bigger, buy bigger pistons , have the block align bored seeing the condition of the crank and bearings, and get a crankshaft kit.
 

mtnmankev

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Since it will need a new cam and lifters, I am thinking the Summit #1102 would be perfect for the truck.
General driving, some hauling, maybe tow a trailer someday, would give a smooth idle and very good throttle/engine response through the powerband.
 

HotRodPC

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Many times people refer to new rings and bearings as a rebuild, and maybe a timing chain and oil pump. They refer to a bore and hone with new pistons, new cam and lifters as a Reman.

My bro picked up a 2 bolt 3970010 that had some surface rust in the cylinders, a set of filthy well worn 333882 heads with it, oil pan and valve covers. It was one of the guys on his El Co forum that he got it from. After adding up machine work, parts kits and things that he wanted done to it, he decided he's just going to get a blueprinted and balanced Vortec crate roller long block for $2800 instead. Since he left that disassembled pile at my house, he said he'd come pick it up and haul it off or I could have it. I asked if I get the intake too. He said, I told him that it won't fit Vortec heads so I may as well keep that too. It happens to be a brand new looking Edelbrock Performer RPM intake. I've always wanted the RPM manifold. This one came with the long block he picked for FREE, the guy wanted it out of his way. Not sure I'll use the shortblock or not since I have the crate 4 bolt to build. I guess it'll be nice to have a standard back up virgin 350 block. I don't mind a 2 bolt block and I've raced 2 bolt blocks up to 7000 rpm and they do just fine so long as your line bore is good, the rods are resized and shotpeened, and the rotating assembly balanced.
 

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Who's the supplier of the blueprinted and balanced Vortec crate roller long block? If he's running a mechanical fuel pump, make sure the block is machined for one.
 

mtnmankev

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The 383 stroker I built 20 years ago is a 74 vintage 2 bolt 3970010, I had a good shop in Phoenix do the machine work and balance.
I assembled it in a dusty shop next to a woodstove.
One of the other guys there said it can't be done in those conditions and last very long.
Well, it still runs good despite being a bit tired after 100,000 HARD use miles ..........
The guy who told me that it would not last had a clean shop in town build him the exact same engine.
It lasted him two weeks before blowing up on him.
 

idahovette

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The 383 stroker I built 20 years ago is a 74 vintage 2 bolt 3970010, I had a good shop in Phoenix do the machine work and balance.
I assembled it in a dusty shop next to a woodstove.
One of the other guys there said it can't be done in those conditions and last very long.
Well, it still runs good despite being a bit tired after 100,000 HARD use miles ..........
The guy who told me that it would not last had a clean shop in town build him the exact same engine.
It lasted him two weeks before blowing up on him.
Karma is a bitch LOL
 

nabeshin

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I once tried to price out what it would cost to buy all the components to build an engine, block, belt accessories; everything. It is about the same if not cheaper to get one from Blueprint.

I happen to live about an hour away from Blueprint Engines, they are in Kearney. Almost took a job there as an engine machinist, but the commute and 10-12 hour days were a deal breaker. Will buy from them if I ever need a new engine.
 

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