What to do..rebuild or junkyard...

[chsw]

Pulled my engine, found the #1 rod bearing spun 45 degrees so that explains the knock... I went to the machine shop today and he told me he has a 30 day wait before he can get to it. Needless to say after 45 min of talking I brought it home and am pondering my next move. He told me to buy a aftermarket crank because it would be cheaper then turning the one I have now. I have a line on a new rod for that cylinder, the walls have almost no wear, hell I can still see the hone marks on the walls. I was not able to pull the crank because I cannot get the dam balancer pulley off. I will have a shop pull it tomorrow while I am working. If there is no spun main bearings I think I will be ok replacing the crank and rod along with a master rebuild kit. Cost, I figure 700 in parts. I can get a salvage engine for half that, but then I am buying someone's problems. The machinest actualy suggested going this route. I want dependable, so I am willing to spend 1k on parts and labor (head rebuild) and put the dam thing together myself as I have so many 350's and 302's. Am I that far off base? All suggestions are welcome, I have to get this running before my oldlady kills me.

 

[bryanwheat]

What engine? You can get a re-ring kit for around 100 bucks. 100 for an oil pump and another 150 for timing components. I would stay away from a aftermarket crank that cost's less than turning yours. The average price to turn a crank is around 100 bucks, and the rod can be re built also.

 

[chsw]

engine is a 420a, I can't get a machinest to turn the crank for 30 days, so $150 for a aftermarket ground crank seems to be a steal for the time savings. All the kits I have found that include a oil pump/water pump/gasket set/pistons/timing set seem to cost $350. I had thought that was a very good deal, if it is not, please point me in the right direction. This is my first import rebuild, so all help is appretiated. It needs to be done cheap and fast, if it lasts for 5 years I will be more then happy.

The rod was offered from another member here for shipping, but a rebuilt one is only $35.

 

[bryanwheat]

The crank that you are talking about is a cut crank. Stay away from these so called crank kits. They are never machined properly. Find a different machinist to do yours or buy a good used crankshaft.

 

[reddragon1]

I would find a good used crank shaft and rebuild from there.

 

[chsw]

Head and block are in their respective shops now. The head man has been in buisness for over 25 years, but thats all he does. He recomended me to 2 different block shops, the one with a 30 day wait and the one I used today. He told me he would have a list for me by Tuesday. He wants me to buy all my parts from him, and said he was very compeitive. If he will assemble the shortblock I would be happy to buy all the parts from him, but I also want a listing of all the bearing clearences after assembly. With my new job I just do not have the time to do it myself. I will hear somthing about the head before end of day tomarow, I hope to god it just needs to be refreshed.