Hi all.

I have a L34 396 engine that I think might need some work. As of right now I took the heads off and had them reworked with new valves and cleanup work. Nothing is attached to the block except the transmission atm. There seems to be like a 1/4 in ring that has a copper color around the top of every piston wall.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8804/dcp2111rl8.jpg

Despite what the picture shows the rest of all the walls have no marks on them. If I run my finger up and down along the copper ring I feel a slight ridge. Im starting to run low on cash from all the work done already so I need to know what to do economically. Im going to pull the block this weekend and bring it to the shop that did my headwork. What should I say I want done ? Can I reuse the pistons and rehone and get new rings ? It is a 396 .030 over I think so 402. I want to get a cam kit also.

Next. Can I just pull the block and leave the tranny in or is it easier to pull the whole thing. There is no linkage or cables on the tranny atm.

Next question. I need new pushrods and I saw this from Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=320016128116&rd=1,1

Is this garbage or a good deal ? I could use the studs and guides also.

Last thing. Sry for all the questions. Is this stuff garbage or would I be better off getting name brand stuff.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=320021106783&rd=1,1

Remember I am running low on funds. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for shopping.

Chris

Hi Chris,

I can totally relate to where you are at on your build. I started out the same, you know $100 rebuild... hone, re-ring, bearings gaskets and some Chevy engine orange paint. However, once you start getting into these things, it's hard to know when to stop. $4000 later, I now have a motor that I think should do the job.

When you pull out the bottom end, you only want to do this once. Spend the money getting the crank checked and your cylinders checked for taper. Don't waste money on honing and re-ringing it if you need to really bore it. Unless you need to drive it to work this week, take a little more time and throw some cash at pistons and balance it up.

Building a solid motor is like building a house. The bottom end is your foundation, it has to be solid or the rest of it will collapse all around you.

If you have the room, pull motor and trans together. If a friend helps guide it, it's handy pulling them out as a package.

Sorry for not telling you to just slap it together. I just asked these same questions on here a year ago about my 454, and several wise men gave me the same answer.

It sure is easy spending other people's money for them !

Good Luck.

There seems to be like a 1/4 in ring that has a copper color around the top of every piston wall. If I run my finger up and down along the copper ring I feel a slight ridge.
Looks like a wear ridge to me. Time to bore the engine.

Next question. I need new pushrods and I saw this from Ebay. Is this garbage or a good deal ?
The LAST part you buy to assemble a long-block is the pushrods. You won't know what length to buy unless the rest of the engine is assembled.