Thread: newbie wanting to learn

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Hello my name is Shawn and I am from Michigan. I dont have a hotrod but i am in the process of trying to learn and eventually start on a project of my own. I dont know exactly what i want to do but Im leaning more towards a small block ford probably 351w.what I think I am going to do is buy a bare block and start building from there so I can learn as I go. I was wondering if anyone here can tell me some good books on beginner building. i have found a few with good information but I cant really find a lot for early beginners. i have just bought how to rebuild small block ford engines and I am just waiting for it to come in the mail. Thank You and I look forward to talking with some of you and meeting some new people

Originally Posted by adrenaline

Hello my name is Shawn and I am from Michigan. I dont have a hotrod but i am in the process of trying to learn and eventually start on a project of my own. I dont know exactly what i want to do but Im leaning more towards a small block ford probably 351w.what I think I am going to do is buy a bare block and start building from there so I can learn as I go. I was wondering if anyone here can tell me some good books on beginner building. i have found a few with good information but I cant really find a lot for early beginners. i have just bought how to rebuild small block ford engines and I am just waiting for it to come in the mail. Thank You and I look forward to talking with some of you and meeting some new people

Welcome the CHR Shawn.It's been yrs since I have had anything to do with Fords.So in that respect I honestly can't be much help.But Shawn one common thread that is true for any project that often is over looked at a car show is over the yrs inquiring the tools and equipment needed to do the work.As I think the other guys will tell you too is to be able to buy good deals on used good quality tools and equipment and learning what to get.I think that is the hidden costs of projects and the cornerstone of a lifetime Hot Rodder.

There are a bunch of Ford guys that should chime in to help you with your original question.I look forward to you project thread and pictures are always welcome.

Welcome to CHR Shawn. There’s a ton of Ford guys here who will be able to give you some real specific “Ford” build information. The following is some good basic engine building stuff passed on from an “old guy” who’s built a few – mostly SBC, but the following applies regardless of the brand.

It may be a matter of how much money you want to spend and how much you can or want to do yourself. Before you start, write down everything you want to accomplish in this build and price each step out. I’ve built my share of motors and big or small, there’s a few things that I always have done and then there’s a list of “optional” items that get done if the money and time permit. A list will help you decide before starting the work and help keep you on track. Get a Summit catalog and start to dream a bit – it’s a healthy exercise, gives great ideas, and catalogs are just plain fun to look through!

Before you start, find a good local machine shop. You may already know one. Talk with the machinist that will be doing the work and tell him (or her) that you’re on a budget and would like to have an “ala-carte” approach that will allow you to pick-and-choose what you’ll have done. Work with the shop and buy the parts from them. Building a relationship with them will go along way towards a successful build.

At a minimum, I would recommend the following:
1. Take the block to a machine shop and have the block hot tanked. This gets all the glop off makes things a lot easier to work on. Having a clean base is a must for paint as well. You can have the shop measure all your clearances at this time and determine if a bore is required or if you can get by with a cylinder hone. The shop can also check the other “vitals” and determine if the mains are square as well as the deck.

2. Have the machine shop put in new cam bearings. You can decide if you able to put in new brass freeze plus and the oil galley plugs.

3. If you have a good micrometer, you can measure the crank. If you’re happy with the results, just get new standard size bearings. If not, you’ll need to have it turned and buy appropriately sized bearings. You may well be able to reuse the crank “as-is” with new standard sized bearings. I’ve rebuilt engines with well over 100K miles and been able to use the crank without any work.

4. If your bores are good, inspect the pistons and if they’re decent, new rings and rod bearings will be the ticket. If not, new pistons and rings will be required. This can be a big ticket if you go fancy – Speed-Pro piston and ring kits are $250, JE and Keith Blacks can easily run $900 plus.

5. Your rods are probably okay. The stock rods are really pretty tough to hurt as long as they have good oil. If you’re using the original piston, this is a “no-brainer”, keep the stock rods too.

6. Have your heads done at the machine shop. Talk to them and decide how much you want to invest and plan a course accordingly. Again, if you want to get fancy, you can drop a ton of money here. If possible and practical, have your shop do a good valve job, replace what’s necessary and call it good. If you have extra money and want to go aftermarket heads – ask the Ford guys (on this site) to point you in the right direction or perhaps even build you a set.

7. Buy a good gasket set. Your machine shop probably will cut you a good deal on FelPro or similar.

8. If you’re going to stay with a stock cam profile buy it (and new lifters) from your shop or NAPA. Buy a new, true roller timing set from the same place. If you want to go a bit bigger, again, the Ford guys here will be a great source as soon as you define the parameters i.e., what vehicle your building and the drive line specifics.

The rest is really straight forward. When you get the block home, scrub it really good with hot soapy water. I like Dawn (get you own so as to not tick off your lady!) Dry the block real good with compressed air and then paint everything that shows. Lube all the inside parts with a light coating of oil or assembly lube (don’t ever use WD-40).

Take your time and use lost of clean, lint free rags – wash your hands often and use hand lotion on them every time you’re done for the day or your hands will turn into cracked leather. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help – there’s people on this site who have literally built hundreds of motors and they have in all likelihood, encountered every situation possible. I know I still learn things from Jerry, Pat McCarthy, Stovens, Dave and a host of others who contribute here on a regular basis.

If you don’t have an engine stand, get one. You can find them cheap (I’ve seen them for $59), but I would recommend one with four casters as they are a bit more stable with heavy motors. If you don’t have an assembly manual, buy one. To address issues with cam failure, break it in slowly and as per any instructions that come with the cam. Use good oil and change is after a couple hours run time and look for any “tell-tale” signs, i.e, metal or water. Take your time and have fun.

Again, Welcome to CHR.

Regards,
Glenn

thanks guys I really appreciate yall this forum is completly different then some other ones i tried to talk to some people on. theres always those who have built some engines and nice cars who think they are god and dont want to try to help any one. I will deffinatly start posting some build pics as soon as possible

We'll look forward to your pictures and helping where we can!

Welcome to the club Adrenaline! The only other thing I can add is to remember that this is supposed to be FUN! Unless you're one of the few that get to do this for a living, most of us have a day job and hot rods are the hobby. So if it gets to be all to much, walk away and let it pass.

OH, and it's almost a rule around here that you gotta share photo's once in a while!

Welcome Shawn!!! We don't have any Know-It-All hot shot snobs here on CHR, just a bunch of Hot Rodders who all remember that we were all in the same place as you once, a beginner!!!! Jump on in here and ask all the questions you want, plenty of good teachers on here to learn from, and we don't even charge for the lessons!!!!!!

thanks a lot. yall r my kinda people lol and dont worry as soon as i git to gettin i will deffinatly take some pics. I told my little brother about this site and he will probably be joining in the next day or so. he has already started his engine for his mustang. 1972 stang he pulled out the 289 and is building his 351 to a stroked 408 that one will be fun.

Shawn, Welcome to the club! Before starting on trying to rebuild an engine I would suggest some simpler tasks. Help your brother with his Mustang, sounds like he has some knowledge. Get used to handling tools, maybe do things like changing shocks, rotating tires, basic tune up stuff like changing oil, spark plugs, and air filters. Doing things like that will help build your confidence. Go to the news stand and pick up Hot Rod, Popular Hot Rodding or similar magazines and when you find one you like subscribe to it. There are also lots articles on line on small block Fords if that is the direction you want to go. CHR even has a forum for them: Ford-Small block. Amazon.com has several books on rebuilding small block Fords also. My thought is don't dive into the deep end without getting used to the water. I sense you are a young man, always great to see younger folks interested in our hobby. This is a great place to learn!

Pat

my brother started where I am at right now. he doesnt know a whole lot about building cars but he found a shop that he can build everything by himself but the owner is teaching him as he goes. that would be wonderful but i found it is hard to find shops like that around here. I would also like to learn by helping him with his stang but unfortunatly he lives in texas and I live in michigan. we do talk almost everyday and most of the time the topic of conversation is his build or my options for my build.as far as working on cars I do have some experience with some beginner work like tune ups tires brakes oil changes and things like that.I dont pay anyone to do anything on my car I feel like it is pointless to waste money on something that I can do myself and save money while gaining knowledge at the same time

Shawn Welcome to CHR. I'm glad to see another Michigan guy on here. There are a few of us. About the only thing I could sugest is Go slow. some people go off buying things because they think it will work or its chrome HAHA. If you don't know it already you'll soon see it takes a bit of $$$ to build a car the engine may or may not be the most expencive part but if you can get it right the first time it sure helps. Again welcome enjoy your stay

ok so I am really new to this but I have been reading and researching A LOT and I really want to start on this as soon as I get all my money together. Everyone I talk to about this tells me to have a goal or plan and I have a basic one. we will see what I find out So... I want to build a late 60's to mid 70's Ford with a carbeurated 351w. This is going to be a street car with very very occasional strip use. I want to be around 400-450 hp. (If possible for somewhat lower budget) and Im not sure what my budget is going to be as I am going to be doing this over time but I want this to be a lower budget build and not sacrifice quality with cheap parts. when I say lower budget i dont mean I want all cheap worthless parts, I mean I dont want the best of the best most expensive parts. What I am wondering is what kind of measurements and ratios also bore measurements do i need to meet to achieve this. also what kind of budget am I looking at to build the motor with these specs.