Hey guys I am ready to slowly start building my 454. The thing is I have never built an engine my self. I have helped people hear and there and watched some being built. I have done cam swaps and just about everything else but build a bottome end. I am try to decided if I should spend the extra money to have someone do it or do it my self and risk messing it up and spending more to do it again. I believe in the theory of doing everything myself, but I am going to have to scrape my money together to build this engine and do not want to mess it up and end up spending more than if I paid someone to do it. I am very mechanical and know how everything works, but I am more worried about making sure everything is perfect and don't want to forget anything. Do you guys think I should build it myself? Is it that hard to do it right? Also the little tricks that engine builders know will it make my engine that much better than me just doing the basics. BTW I would like to build it to the 500+ HP mark.

thanks for any opinions.
Tom

I learned by reading an old Chiltons manual. It had a great section on engine rebuilds and best of all it had pictures. :D Take your time read instruction and use your head don't get excited and rush it. I'm guilty of it, especialy on my last build. I was totaly stupid and didn't check my ring gap and I ended up with the wrong rings in the right box (incorrectly boxed). It caused me to pull the engine. It's a totaly statisfying feeling to know you did it yourself when you fire that mother up. :thumbsup: Most of all if you don't know ASK! :waving:

"Most of all if you don't know ASK!"

That is the best advise anyone can give you.... if you have any doubt at all, ASK first, versus pulling the engine later. Also, remember, to do the job right, you do need quite a few special tools.

Fred.

Go for it! Plus the satisfaction you did it yourself.

You can always have the machine shop assemble the bottom end,and you can bolt on the heads,intake and all the tin...

You can always have the machine shop assemble the bottom end,and you can bolt on the heads,intake and all the tin...

That's a pretty good idea, and a block assembled by a reputable shop will usually come with some kind of warranty too. If nothing else, letting someone else do the bottom end could be a cheap price for peace of mind. It's no big deal if you discover that you didn't do the valves right, all you need to do is to take them off and do it again. But if there's something wrong with the bottom end, you'll have to pull the whole dang thing.

Then, of course, you can do it the way I did my first engine: Just assemble it, assume that you have the correct parts, assume that everything is within specs, assume that your $15 torque wrench is accurate and assume that it will work anyway... :rolleyes: :)

And as already said: If you don't know, just ask. I have learned the hard way (hours & $$$) that there's no room for misguided pride. It sucks so much to hear people say: "I told you so" ;)

That's what I do, have my engine guy do the bottom end and I do the rest. Invest in a good torque wrench.

Tom. Many moons ago, I bought the book "How to Rebuild Your Big Block Chevy." It guided me through a complete teardown and rebuild of a 396. It was my first major engine project and it was a success due largely to the thoroughness of this book. Nothing was left to chance--the author covered every minute detail in logical order so I was never left lost or wondering. I had never come across such great instructions before and perhaps since. I still have that book and use it from time to time. It's a bit outdated with all the new tech stuff that's available, but the process remains unchanged--you still need rockers, whether they're old stock or new roller type. Engine rebuilding is fun and rewarding. Do it yourself if you can. Get a good book first and don't hesitate to pick the brains of the great folks on this site. Good luck.
.....Doug

Thanks guys for all your help and opinions. If the machine shop builds the engine it will only be the bottom end. I have no problem putting on the top end. I still haven't decided what I am going to do. I guess I will have to see how much they will charge to put the bottom end together. Does anyone know a ball park figure on what it should cost for assembly?

thanks
Tom