Engine Rebuild For Dummies (aka Mike_Windsors)?

[Mike_Windsor]

I wonder if my car thinks I worry about it too much.

I've left it plugged in for a couple days and not driven it because we're in a cold snap. Is it bad to leave the block heater plugged in for an extended period of time?

[sly]

only if it shorts, but then the breaker will blow on that circuit. It shouldn't harm the car as it will help keep the car at a more reasonable temp in the blistering cold. now, if it gets warm... yeah... the heater won't like it, but I severely doubt that will be an issue in your area.

[Lincolnmania]

how much oil do you have to add between oil changes?

most of the time that "horrible rear main seal or oil pan gasket leak" are the lower intake manifold gasket and the valve cover gaskets

[Mike_Windsor]

how much oil do you have to add between oil changes?

most of the time that "horrible rear main seal or oil pan gasket leak" are the lower intake manifold gasket and the valve cover gaskets

Almost none, but just prior to this oil change it was down 5/6 of the crosshatching.

The intake manifold gasket and valve cover gaskets were redone in April.

[Mike_Windsor]

Well guys, I'm gonna start down this road. Staring down it without actually doing anything isn't gonna get it done.

I'm gonna start, slowly, buying the tools to get the job done. I'll buy the pieces and such as well as I go, and then eventually I'll have the tools and parts to, well, get it done.

Gonna do a complete rebuild on it when the time comes. Suggests on which parts to get (such as cylinder heads, camshaft, crankshaft, etc) are of course welcome.

Wish me luck. My first tool to get will be....a torque wench!

[Piece-it pete]

Post to subscribe. Engine internals are outside my experience but I'd love to try. Good luck!

Pete

[sly]

if you're still in the crosshatched area after 3K, you aren't leaking enough to worry about at all. In fact, that's a damn near new condition engine in that case. Just leave it alone and enjoy the drive. I've had to add at least 1 quart to keep it at the bottom of the crosshatched area on my car since I got it at just over 100K miles. It's got 146K now and hasn't lost a bit of get-up-and-go. My engine mantra: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The reason being is that if I break it while trying to fix it, I'll just be really pissed off.

[Mr.Blue]

My engine mantra: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

^^^^This! My '89 gt has 220,000+ on it and it still runs 6.9's in the 1/8th. on motor, sure it could use a freshening but it runs great, why mess with it?...................now if you just want to add some go-fast goodies thats another story........get a torque wrench and whale away! I'd also suggest buying a used shortblock and throw it on a stand and build it if you just want to build one/get some experience and swap it when the time comes........

[Mike_Windsor]

Well I've been debating adding a performance intake and 4 barrel carbeurator, and I keep hearing about these GT40 heads.

[Mr.Blue]

GT40's are a nice moderately priced upgrade..........most guys will argue for a sefi conversion over the 4bbl, myself included but a 40/carb combo would be a nice little runner with a gear/exhuast plus the 4bbl makes a cam swap somewhat easier on the tuning side.........

[gadget73]

On a 351 car that is already a carb, a 4bbl swap would be easier. I'm not overly in love with carbs, mostly from years of dealing with shitty worn out ones that don't run right, but if you have one thats not already used up and manage to get it adjusted right they work OK. I've had some that worked perfectly, and others that sucked bad enough that I'd have gladly pitched them in the river if I'd been allowed to.

[Lincolnmania]

keep driving.......most 302's i own eat a quart of oil every 1000-1500 miles

[Mr.Blue]

keep driving.......most 302's i own eat a quart of oil every 1000-1500 miles

Mine drink it AND pee it lol...........

[Mike_Windsor]

Your car PEES?

[Mr.Blue]

pee=leak lol.......they leave a puddle to mark their spot