Thread: What to do

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I just picked up a SBC last weekend - complete with crank, heads, pistons and rods. I just had a chance to strip it down. Came out of a '71 Monte Carlo.

Block Casting # 3970010
Heads Casting # 3986336 (appears to have 1.94 / 1.5 valves)

Even gave me the exhaust manifold, intake water pump and flexplate.
I'm trashing all the latter. But wondering what to do with the crank and rods.

It is a 2 bolt main which I have heard is fine for ~350hp. Is it worth having splayed caps installed when the block is at the machine shop?

Are the heads decent to have reworked? Again looking for ~350hp. Is it cost effective to install new studs, springs valves etc? Or should I find a set all done already? I haven't talked to the shop in regards to the heads yet, may just see if they will clean them up for me along with the block and remove the springs and see what it will cost to have them redone.

Can the rods be checked and brought into spec? Or should I just buy new ones. I don't want to get this all built and then throw a rod. Rods are GMK and either 2O, 2M, 3K mixed and matched. I did keep the caps and rods together as they came out.

The crank I am assuming is cast but again is it worth having checked out?

I am not sure what car this is going into just yet. Something like an early Camaro etc.. something small to maybe a Nova size. I wan to get the block cleaned up and machined. What would be safe to do at this point without knowing the final project yet? It has a standard bore so taking it to .030., install new cam bearings and freeze plugs. Check main caps.

Just looking for some advice to begin. Any input?

well get the engine hot tank and mag for cracks then if ok oil it put in a bag .if you do not have a car to put the engine in .your going to need pistons to go past this point and building engine and letting them set as not that good for them less you have a heated shop .well i like to have the pistons in my hands before honing it to size. your asking about price on machine work and if its cheaper to buy new .rods heads crank .and maybe a block? so you need to know how much your machine shop is going to get to rebuild the stock rods . how much to hot tank the block .bore the block .deck it if they would tru-deck it with a BHJ fixture .or how much for deck plates when its honed .how much for the splayed caps .will the bore need to be line bored /honed with old caps any ways and at that point it may be cheaper to buy all new parts ? well i do know what i get for each job as i machine and build engines .BUT i do not know how much the shop gets your talking to. so you need to find that out.but i can tell you i re build stock rods all the time by the time you clean the rods. shot blast the rods . get ARP rod bolts .re size both ends of the rods and re face the side of a used GM rod its about the price of a scat rod . as for 350 hp all the stock parts will take that . i would buy a iron PBM thunder head .less your heads do not need much work .time is money so if your heads need guilds mill job screw in studs valve job .then parts like valves.springs seals .keeper .your just about to the price of a new iron head your going have to talk to your machine shop .then find out what shape your stuff in . i work up a price after the parts have past a mag check and are clean at that time i know how much machine work a engine is going to need

Thanks for the info. I was going to pass on the block at first because I see at PAW they are on sale for $400-$495. With all the work that needs to be done to the block I will be over that but under what Summit wants at about $795.

I was just looking at JEG'S and the parts to complete the heads would be ~$550 or so, not counting any machining and I see they have new heads for between $850 an $1100.

New cranks seem to be ~$180 to $250. I can just imagine how much it would cost to machine it.

Thanks Pat - I see your point. So do I spend the $70.00 to clean and mag the block and then put it on Craig's List and see if I can recoup my money? I would have $170 in it total at that point.

Your not too far from me. I actually pass by Bay City on my way to Cheboygan quite often.

Originally Posted by Wayne Gilchrist

Thanks for the info. I was going to pass on the block at first because I see at PAW they are on sale for $400-$495. With all the work that needs to be done to the block I will be over that but under what Summit wants at about $795.

I was just looking at JEG'S and the parts to complete the heads would be ~$550 or so, not counting any machining and I see they have new heads for between $850 an $1100.

New cranks seem to be ~$180 to $250. I can just imagine how much it would cost to machine it.

Thanks Pat - I see your point. So do I spend the $70.00 to clean and mag the block and then put it on Craig's List and see if I can recoup my money? I would have $170 in it total at that point.

Your not too far from me. I actually pass by Bay City on my way to Cheboygan quite often.

then you may want to PM me i have a fresh 350 roller short block done very soon thats has new 030 over TRW flat tops forged pistons .re built gm rods with ARP bolts block is 030 over honed with deck plates and tru deck .crank is 10/10 moly hasting rings .mich 77 rods/mains is all fresh machine work .i put it on here for sale .but she going on E bay very soon .i can beat the price on heads

Thanks again Pat. I guess when I find a vehicle I will have to pay you a visit in Bay City.