351 rebuild help
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351 rebuild help
its about time for the old girl to get a rebuild i was thinkin of puttin together a kit for her but if i can find a full kit that would be great if anyone knows where i can get a full kit plz let me know i dont want to have to order one kit for seals and one for rings pistons and cam does anyone make a "master kit" that has everything i need in one?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
its about time for the old girl to get a rebuild i was thinkin of puttin together a kit for her but if i can find a full kit that would be great if anyone knows where i can get a full kit plz let me know i dont want to have to order one kit for seals and one for rings pistons and cam does anyone make a "master kit" that has everything i need in one?
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Don't get the wrong idea, and think you can buy a kit, take the engine apart and put the kit in it, and then everything will be ok. The engine will need to be torn apart, and each piece will have to be evaluated. After that, then the decision will have to be made on what under or oversize to buy, or what needs to be replaced. A machine shop that will work with you on this is your best bet. A book that will lead you through every step of the way is the book "How to rebuild your small block Ford".
I spent the summer rebuilding my 400 (just finally dropped it into the truck 3 hours ago)
and can vouch for every word of Franklin2's comments.
I got Tom Monroe's book on my M-block (335-series) motor:
Buy How to Rebuild Ford Engines V8 by Monroe, Tom - Dualj.com
Another really helpful book is Ford's original Service manual (the one for the engine).
For me, the hard part was finding a machinist I liked. One who knew this motor, its
stock configuration, what can be done with it and how to do it. Many machinists I
spoke with got all wigged out when I started talking about non-stock building of the
thing and didn't know what to do. Ex:
Me: "What cam would you recommend?"
Potential machinist: "I don't know, I just call up Comp Cams and use what they
recommend."
or
Me: "How would you recommend going about raising the compression ration?"
Potential machinist: "Ummmm... hmmm..... that involves the pistons."
My suggestion: Locate the appropriate engine forum on this FTE site and use it. A guy
with a really good reputation for M-block motors is Tim Meyer,
TMeyer, Inc. Precision Automotive Machining . I suspect he can help ya if you've got a
Windsor motor, too, but you'd have to call him and ask.
-chris
colorado, usa
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Southern Illinois
northern auto parts is real resonable on master overhaul kits (pistons,rings,gaskets,cam lifters, timing chain bearings etc.) I think its naparts.com but they'll need to know any sizing diffrences like franklin said.
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Don't get the wrong idea, and think you can buy a kit, take the engine apart and put the kit in it, and then everything will be ok. The engine will need to be torn apart, and each piece will have to be evaluated. After that, then the decision will have to be made on what under or oversize to buy, or what needs to be replaced. A machine shop that will work with you on this is your best bet. A book that will lead you through every step of the way is the book "How to rebuild your small block Ford".
Ed
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Posts: 57,014
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From: Virginia
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