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Assembling a shortblock

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jlog1506

Proven Member
83
0
Sep 9, 2013
Roslyn Heights, New_York
What's up guys, I just got quoted for assembly of my short block. Problem is I don't want to spend that kind of money when I can do it myself, but... I don't want to ruin my motor, since I just spend $600+ getting it machined. Is it possible to a Newbie to do this? And is there a list of tools I would need? I've searched but never found a tutorial on the assembly. I've never built a motor before. Just want some opinions. Thanks guys
 
I'm all about doing things yourself but it might be best to have it built or maybe have a friend who has experience help you through it. It would suck to ruin the fresh machine work and parts.
 
If you insist on doing the work yourself, go out and grab a service manual from auto zone and follow all the specs exactly as they are in the book, and a huge factor is making sure the motor is clean. If you don't think you can work in a clean environment and keep the motor clean, don't even try to assemble it... ask me how i know.
 
Tools needed to assemble a short block are mainly the basics, a handful of sockets.

The specialty tools needed will be a ring compressor and a good torque wrench (NOT a loner tool)

A stick of green plastagauge also.

Hope the machine shop gave you a stack of paper work with all the finishing specs.
 
Tools needed to assemble a short block are mainly the basics, a handful of sockets.

The specialty tools needed will be a ring compressor and a good torque wrench (NOT a loner tool)

A stick of green plastagauge also.

Hope the machine shop gave you a stack of paper work with all the finishing specs.

Whats up Bogus, it's still there getting the work done, hopefully will be done this week if not next. I will ask for all the paperwork
 
It can be done. I'm on my second block, since I didn't do things all too correctly on the first one, and neither did the machine shop (overspray onto the cam journals from media blasting the head, they blasted the entire deck surface of the head and tried to tell me the gasket would seal fine, and when I had to PAY to get them to cut it, they have the wrong machine and decked it at an angle).
I was really green, and the manual was pretty poor for a newbie, but I did it. I pulled it before it grenaded.

The second block I took much more care in, double checked measurements, made sure I did things the best I could. I put over 6k kilometers on it last season, and it was still running strong.

I WILL suggest that you keep a detailed log of everything you do. This way, you don't wonder a month later.. did I do that? When I filed the rings, did I make sure I removed the edge burrs and made sure they were all smooth? What were my journal clearances? Did I do a head port job?

Trust me, it will make your life easier.
 
It can be done. I'm on my second block, since I didn't do things all too correctly on the first one, and neither did the machine shop (overspray onto the cam journals from media blasting the head, they blasted the entire deck surface of the head and tried to tell me the gasket would seal fine, and when I had to PAY to get them to cut it, they have the wrong machine and decked it at an angle).
I was really green, and the manual was pretty poor for a newbie, but I did it. I pulled it before it grenaded.

The second block I took much more care in, double checked measurements, made sure I did things the best I could. I put over 6k kilometers on it last season, and it was still running strong.

I WILL suggest that you keep a detailed log of everything you do. This way, you don't wonder a month later.. did I do that? When I filed the rings, did I make sure I removed the edge burrs and made sure they were all smooth? What were my journal clearances? Did I do a head port job?

Trust me, it will make your life easier.

I do plan on taking my time, also im getting the ring filed at the shop. not going to do that myself.
 
if this would be your first engine to assemble, I'd let the shop do it. Then go out, grab a junkyard motor, and tear it apart and throw it back together. You just spent a bunch of money on having your block machined, you dont want to accidentally mess it up, then has to fork out that money again anyways
 
Boostforbreakfast has a good idea I was going to mention the same thing. This way you if you make a mistake you won't harm your good parts and machine work.
 
Take your time when I did my first build it wasn't too bad just had to check things mic things a few times to make sure it was in spec.
 
if this would be your first engine to assemble, I'd let the shop do it. Then go out, grab a junkyard motor, and tear it apart and throw it back together. You just spent a bunch of money on having your block machined, you dont want to accidentally mess it up, then has to fork out that money again anyways

Thats what i would have suggested to the op also because that would be a great way to learn, but the reason he doesn't want the shop to assemble his short block is because of money so i don't think he's up for getting a junkyard motor LOL
 
I personally saved my pennies so I could pay the machine shop to do it. $250 extra to assemble the rotating assembly in my mind was cheap insurance considering I was going for 30psi on a "bigger" turbo. 3yrs later it still hasn't let go. Money well spent in my opinion.
 
Like everyone else is stating, I would save that money to have the shop do this. or have lots of trust and patience in the machine shop. I once had a Fiero i was swapping a 3.8 into and had a machine shop bore over and spec and i would just assemble it and save myself the costs. If you are in a hurry like i was and skip just a few steps, you could end up finding out the work wasnt done correctly. one cylinder was not bored like the other 5 leaving me with a piston that wouldnt fit. Long story short, the machine shop could have caught that and save me that big hassle of having to return it to them to fix. I may never attempt to build a short block myself again. LOL. just me though
 
Depending on the price of the assembly, I would have the shop do it. I like the idea of the junk yard motor. Also, keeping a log helps tremendously. Especially when you go to work on it after a few days.
 
Okay I ended up getting the block done by the shop and its all done. I still need to put the rest of the block together. What do you guys think about putting the rest of the car together myself? I have downloaded the service manual and just ordered a torque wrench. Im shooting for 450hp with a hx35 so most part will be aftermarket. Do you guys think a newbie can do this?
 
I'm just scared of ruining my nice parts bought with my hard earned cash because of my pack of knowledge LOL
 
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