Good cheap engine to learn on?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Missoula
Originally Posted by Scndsin
Questions are, when you are finished, what do you want to do with it? How much do you want to spend?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
Yup, if you don't have any plans for the engine, I wouldnt bother with an automotive engine.
Find a overhead valve Briggs and Stratton and tear into it. It's functionally equivalent to the engines in OBS trucks minus the water pump.
Find a overhead valve Briggs and Stratton and tear into it. It's functionally equivalent to the engines in OBS trucks minus the water pump.
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From: Central Mississippi
E-bay is full of kits from the "you get what you pay for" to some reasonable priced/quality kits. I prefer online from main suppliers (I use Rock & Summit mostly, but occasionally the big 4 auto part stores) But all of that is a moot point... Its the machine shop that will cost like smoke & is always the most critical element of any engine build.
While a lawn mower is not bad idea (and maybe a good start for you) I think I would go with a cheap dirt bike. At least you might get to enjoy the fruit of your labor.
If it must be automotive, a 5.0/302 or 5.8/351 Windsor is my recommendation.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
An old motorcycle or minibike would be fun. Maybe a gokart. With everything online there's probably manuals parts, and forums for anything. Vintage lawnmower would be useful.
Ford motor, I say get a Y block. Nobody wants them, and they sound as good as a flattie. You can do a shadetree rebuild (Not in the parking lot of Elrod, but.) pretty easy. If you swing over to the HAMB there was a fellow who outlined with lots of pics. He didn't spend hardly anything.
Ford motor, I say get a Y block. Nobody wants them, and they sound as good as a flattie. You can do a shadetree rebuild (Not in the parking lot of Elrod, but.) pretty easy. If you swing over to the HAMB there was a fellow who outlined with lots of pics. He didn't spend hardly anything.
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Posting Guru
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From: Missoula
Originally Posted by Tedster9
An old motorcycle or minibike would be fun. Maybe a gokart. With everything online there's probably manuals parts, and forums for anything. Vintage lawnmower would be useful.
Ford motor, I say get a Y block. Nobody wants them, and they sound as good as a flattie. You can do a shadetree rebuild (Not in the parking lot of Elrod, but.) pretty easy. If you swing over to the HAMB there was a fellow who outlined with lots of pics. He didn't spend hardly anything.
Ford motor, I say get a Y block. Nobody wants them, and they sound as good as a flattie. You can do a shadetree rebuild (Not in the parking lot of Elrod, but.) pretty easy. If you swing over to the HAMB there was a fellow who outlined with lots of pics. He didn't spend hardly anything.
I could probably rebuild a go kart motor in the bed of my truck, correct? That would be my best bet, I think.
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From: Missoula
Originally Posted by Lead Head
You could rebuild a Briggs and Stratton in your kitchen if you wanted.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2016
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This. Free lawnmowers and snow blowers are common on CL (seasonally). Get one, rebuild it, sell the engine for $5 more than the rebuild kit, scrap the rest and repeat.
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From: Missoula
Originally Posted by arse_sidewards
This. Free lawnmowers and snow blowers are common on CL (seasonally). Get one, rebuild it, sell the engine for $5 more than the rebuild kit, scrap the rest and repeat.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
That is the idea. 
Snoblower makes sense, find one of those 60s or 70s Sears jobs, they are like tanks and work great. Start getting some rebuild manuals and surfing websites, the best thing is all the wisdom and experience explaining what NOT to do.
Snoblower makes sense, find one of those 60s or 70s Sears jobs, they are like tanks and work great. Start getting some rebuild manuals and surfing websites, the best thing is all the wisdom and experience explaining what NOT to do.