[bigblockbeattie]

Hi guys. I was just wondering what you all think about long block BBC kits. It will be a while before I can even go and get a Chevelle to start, but I was just wondering what you all thought. I am really looking at World long blocks, specifically a Merlin III block. Or would I be better of just getting all the parts individually? Im want to get a 632, but fully assembled is was to much money. When I had my '70, I couldnt get enough of the power and torque that her 454 made, hence my desire to get a BBC. I just figure if your gonna go, go big. Anyway, Im looking forward to what you all think. Thanks in advance.
Ed

 

[Guest]

I bought my motor piece by piece over several years as I could spare the money.

Figure out just how big a motor you want to make....

Then start with a block that you can make it with first, then a crank, rods, bearings to fit everything, including the cam and pistons and wanted rings. Then bore your block to fit the pistons so they fit right.

Next is cam and valvetrain. Settle on a cam AND DON'T let the dreaded, "more power, Scotty" bug bite you as time goes on..

AND when picking a cam be honest with yourself about what you want your motor to really do b/c your Dynamic Compression Ratio enters into the thing here b/c of pump gas and static compression...

Next would be a set of heads that are able to feed your motor's cubic inch size, then valves and seals, studs, rockers and balls and nuts, guideplates and finally pushrods to match your rocker geometry..

Carb. and intake...

And last, but not least is a set of headers that fit your motor and your car!!

And don't forget about a water pump and gaskets, breather, etc.., and maybe a tranny pilot roller bearing that fits in the end of the crank if you go stick...

That about does it AND I am sure I have forgotten stuff too such as bolts, ALL the needed nit-picking bolts that a doner engine can furnish or ARP or others...

pdq67

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[bigblockbeattie]

Do you have any sugesstions for an engine building kit? Any special tools and such? Also will the parts have individual guidlines that will perhps not completely idiot proof the build process but at least lay a solid ground work for it?

 

[doggy69]

Originally posted by bigblockbeattie:
Do you have any sugesstions for an engine building kit? Any special tools and such? Also will the parts have individual guidlines that will perhps not completely idiot proof the build process but at least lay a solid ground work for it?

Although i like the build it in the garage mentaility many parts of a 632 are custom pieces. 4.75 crank those big 4.625 slugs. maybe you should decide on the power you want before the size. If you could step 'down' to something like a 540 it would save you money and trouble as that seems to be the craze and rotating assemblies are reasonably priced.

 

[mikehartwell]

You give up a LOT of quality control when you go with a long block that you want serious or reliable performance out of - even more when you go with a turnkey engine. There's a reason they are price competetive - costs are cut somewhere. Where? Your guess is as good as mine, but if these purported "production" long blocks and engines were truly the same quality as a carefully machined and constructed custom engine, they would cost what those cost. Don't believe the bs. You have at best a 50/50 chance of getting a non-problematic product when you look at production turnkey. If you were going to go that route, go with a GM 502 or 572 and be done with it. GM has literally centuries of engineering and QC built into their manufacturing process. Those "other" guys have a name, some cnc equipment and whomever they can get for the best price to put them together. Heck, you may be getting an offshore rotating assembly without even knowing it.

If you are one of the lucky winners to get a problematic build, your visions of time-saving by going with a long block will vaporize as you realize you have a complete rebuild to do AFTER you get the first engine running and find the problems.

Save yourself some frustrations and get EXACTLY what you want. Find a good independent engine builder, select either a GM or Dart block and then follow the advice on how to build what you really want. You'll find that for the same money, maybe just a few dollars more, you'll get the highest quality build you can find - because you are right there with it while the machine shop and engine builder are spec'ing it and building it.

When I had to rebuild my 427 to a 434, there were things I thought I wanted that the engine builder absolutely would not use or do. Why? His experience with 100's of solid builds and years of what does and does not work. So, I listened and now the sucker just screams. BTW, when we tore the crate apart, it was absolutely shocking what we found - a schizophrenic mixture of midrange and bin parts and....well, to call it "machining" would be generous....

Bottom line: There are a bunch of great independents in your area(s) that will work their butts off to make you happy. Avoid the catalog route and get what you really want. Even if it's an awsome independent builder halfway across the country (like Lewis Racing Engines), it's not like those guys don't know how to crate up an engine and ship it to you....

Best,

Mike