I am wondering how long it takes most of you people to build an engine (assuming you do it yourself), excluding time in the machine shop, and if you have the parts all right there ready to go. When I rebuilt my 350 (though not a performance rebuild), it only took me about three 8-hour days (I had a weekend and a school holiday on Monday) from dropping in the crank to the first fire-up. This was my first time to build an engine. Just curious on how long it takes others.

Current record: Olds 455, 2+ years at machine shop, (NOT my fault!) well over 1 1/2 years (and counting) in my garage. (My fault)

Current status: Needs intake manifold bolts torqued, flexplate bolts torqued, Carb bolts torqued, and new fuel tubing from pump to carb.

Current delay: Building an engine test bench, so I can break the thing in, in the comfort of my somewhat heated garage. It's stinkin' cold here!

yeah, somewhere between a day and a couple years, depending. I snagged parts for the roller 406 that's in my Chevelle for at least two years.

Tom

Apart since last August. I tend to wonder at times. THe longer someting is there to tinker with, the more prone I am to take it apart and start changing things.

If this thread is intended to see who is quickest, that's definitely not me. In fact, if I have this running by Easter, that will probably be a record accomplishment. Unless you're doing this for a living, have to use it for daily transport or trying to meet a schedule, I would rather fit everything together, measure exact and double check. Taking the time to do things is half of the enjoyment - at least for me.

The rebuild on my 283 took about 6 months, the lack of money for parts was the reason. Alot of parts searching was needed to make it look like a 283 should, such as factory intake and valve covers. I am very happy with the finished product though.

I did my 357 in 6 days, including balancing the new crank to the rotating assembly. I was planning to just swap the heads and cam, but ended up needing new cam bearings, so I had to rebuild the engine in seven days so I could get back to work on time.

My 383 has been in the making for about a year now. I may have it assembled and in the car by spring or summer. Should have been finished last spring. Too many other commitments.

It takes as long as it takes. That's the only possible answer. smile.gif

I know a couple of guys that had a race to build a SBC short block once. The winner took about 22 minutes, the loser about 24.

Don't think I'd want either of those in my car.

I can build a long block in about 12 hours, doing it to my own satisfaction, if I have all the parts and tools and supplies on hand before I start. That would probably include a standard unit of "technician attitude adjustment fluid". ;)