First trip to the machine shop...
 

ok i have a 79 400 that i am building for my 66 f100. i have the engine down to bare block and my question now is really what does it need....this is my first trip to the machine shop and i think i really only know enough about machine work to get myself in trouble. will they measure everything for me and let me know what i need or no? i dont know anything about the truck that the engine came out of (milage or how the motor was run) i got it from pull a part. so i'm going to assume that the cylinders will probably need to be bored some. also will they be able to tell me what size main bearings i need? how do machine shops charge, is it based on hours or by the job. really any general info would be very helpful. thanks

For some good general info buy the book "How to rebuild your Ford V-8".

Basic operations are usually charged by the job but if special operations are needed then they are added cost. Custom or special work is usually performed by the hour.

I'd write the questions down and take them to the machine shop.

they will bake clean the block then measure bore and check out surfaces- should pressure check the block maybe. Then based on whats wanted and/or needed they will begin.

They will have a price list for standard procedures like Eric said...bore, line bore (I'm a big fan of line boring mains).


talk to them, let them know you are new to this and want to learn as much as you can about options, their value to the build and pricing. Let us know what you find out.

awesome thanks. yeah i bought the book by tom monroe off amazon. i just started reading it. i'm hopefully gonna be able to get the block to them this week.

There is one problem with shaving the main caps and line boring the mains. If not done properly it can change the distance from the crank to the deck and also to the camshaft which makes the timing chain loose from the start. It is a small amount but they make specially fitted timing sets for different centerline distances.

thats new info..nice

so would it be better to tell them not to line bore it unless absouletly nessesary?

I line bore regardless from here on out if it's any kind of a performance motor or a 335. You can then make sure the bearing specs are perfect for best oil pressure

thanks for all the info. i am going to start calling shops this week and hopefully take the block to the shop next saturday. i'll let everybody know the outcome.