Topic: Cheap Engine rebuild

[bikerbart]

So I got the jugs off my "new' motor,The trans shifts fine,bottom end is fine I'm sure.has anyone just ball honed the jugs and cleaned the pistons and reused what they have?Even rings?All I did on my last top end was that plus new rings and gaskets and valve guide seals and its working fine.The motor was frozen,#2 rings were rusted to the cylinder wall,the others look good.I have another motor I am throwing in my project,this will be a spare.??

[camelman]

I did that on a 350f engine. All the original components with honed cylinders. I then swapped in another engine with freshly bored cylinders and the same ported head I ran on the previous "cheap" engine. The differences were much better power with the bored out engine especially noticeable at low RPM, less engine venting due to decreased piston blowby, longer lasting engine oil with better shifts, and better fuel mileage. I wish I had just done it right the first time.

[cmonSTART]

Sure you can do it.  Personally, I would replace the rings (do they measure within spec?), but as long as the bore isn't egged or pitted too badly you can probably get away with it. 

[jneuf]

Just for clarification, which motor was frozen? The one you're rebuilding now?

In the grand scheme of things, rings are pretty cheap...if you've gone through the effort of taking the pistons out, you may as well replace them.

[bikerbart]

the one I'm rebuilding was frozen,I'm on the fence about just rebuilding it with new rings,gaskets and hone.But I have an 836 kit that I cant do anything with yet as I have to resleeve and do headwork which all cost $$.