Hello again all,
recently I happened across a 1990 Suburban with 454 for $1000. I figure since the Orange Frankensub is already setup for a BBC I'll swap it out and have a computer and TBI to go along with it. Easy enough. After all It's a running engine, I started it up before pulling it, but the rear main seal was leaking so I decided to replace that. Also I wanted to put an aftermarket intake on it, then the cam looked bad, then I thought I would just go ahead and swap out the main and rod bearing. Now the pistons and rods are in a box, the entire block is striped down and cleaned and this all started because I wanted to change out the rear main seal. So I ask, Has this ever happened to you?
Now I got some questions for you. I've only rebuilt 3 engines 2 BBC's and I always started with a freshly machined block I never just "freshened up" an engine. How far do I go with it? I mean everything looks pretty good considering the oil look so bad. I don't have a bore measuring tool but I can't feel any ridge in the cylinders for the most part with my bare fingers, maybe a little in 7 and 8.Can I just de-glaze the cylinders and re-ring it without going up 30 over or is that just really hokie? Do I get the crank ground down.010 or just plastigauge it and call it good if it's in spec? Another thing, I planned on putting a close to stock flat tappet hydraulic cam back in it to conform to the TBI computer but all this talk I have been reading about new oil and the phenomenal rate of BBC cam failures has really got me second guessing that. Is it really that hard to break in a BBC cam these days?
I've been reading alot of the past threads and haven't seen what I'm looking for so any input will be appreciate.