Well, the engine head and the block are now at the machine shop. Yup, after almost three weeks; I finally got the engine to the machine shop.
As some of you already know, I've bought all new parts for the engine head, including a step up cam. As for the block, I'm waiting on the guys at the machine shop to tell me if the pistons need to be replaced or not; it turns out that it looks like this block has been treated before. Well, it looks like it has by just looking at it.

Question, do you guys recommend that I buy new engine bolts? I was asked this question by the guy at the shop, but I was unable to give him an educated answer, so I told him that I would check.

For the block, I'm getting a new timing kit, new oil pump and new seals.

 

engine bolts... meaning HEAD bolts? Those are re-usable unless the threads look damaged. They aren't the stretch type bolts.

 

i would just reuse the bolts. I dont know if yours looked like mine, but a good thing to do would be to clean the crap out of the holes where you tighten them down. Mine were filled with crap, and the allen couldnt get all the way inside the bolt.

Also, run a thread cleaner down inside the block where the bolts go into it. Those little cleaners work wonders. If you have a powered wire wheel, run the bolts through that too. And make sure you put oil on the threads when before you insert them to tighten them down.

Just my .02

bob

 

Oh, what i made absolutely sure of, was that when i put the pistons and crank and everything back in, make sure you set the first piston to TDC. i have tried to keep people from even looking at it funny.

Get the pistons in, make sure it turns, set it to TDC, and leave it.

Just my opinion.

bob

 

Ditto everything Bob just said. I keep mine wrapped in plastic during assembly. Your machine shop should give everything back in large, tough plastic bags. The shop should also run a thread chase (not a tap!) in every threaded hole in the block and head. Head bolts: reusable. Rod bolts: should not be reused, but there are rumors that some people do. The ARP rod bolts are pretty inexpensive, though, so I got them. The machine shop should be able to press them in and face/machine the rods, which you should do. Get your gasket set yet?
have fun,
Dave