The Ins and Outs of Building an Engine
Engines are fascinating pieces of equipment. On top of being the beating heart of any car, they are the definitive component we associate the automobile with! Of course, if you haven’t built one and you are a car enthusiast you should take on this project just to say you did it!
September 11, 2017
Picking a motor
If you’re new to engine building start small. Avoid attempting anything with dual over head cams and avoid anything new requiring complex electronics. You should want to start on an old Chevy 350 or some other equivalent engine. Want to do it on a budget? Find an old two stroke version. They can be rebuilt using a minimum amount of tools and don’t even have cams! Single cam push rod V8s are a great option and can be found for cheap at scrap yards.
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Inspect and clean
This is a critical phase of engine building. Don’t buy anything that’s super beat up just because it's cheap. Inspect the block for cracks or any serious damage that might make it an unviable candidate. Once you have confirmed there are no major flaws you’ll want to clean it thoroughly. Old gasoline makes for a great degreaser that is a cheap alternative to brand names. Clean the block thoroughly!
>>Join the conversation about Building an Engine right here in the S2ki Forum!
Contact a machinist
Some of the big ticket items like cylinder boring machines can get seriously expensive. When I’ve assembled small motors in the past I found it useful to get with a machinist who can do some of the big ticket items. These guys are great sources of information as far tolerances and clearances required. Talk to your machinist about your specific application.
>>Join the conversation about Building an Engine right here in the S2ki Forum!
Order parts
When you have your numbers and “blueprints” you will know what parts you need to order. Go to your GM catalog or equivalent and order up your parts. You’d be surprised how inexpensive this really is compared to paying someone to do everything for you. Once you have your parts and tools it’s a matter of having the right tools to assemble everything.
>>Join the conversation about Building an Engine right here in the S2ki Forum!
Assembly
Engine assembly is nothing more than making sure parts are clean, measuring them and keeping your wits about you. Be sure nothing falls into the motor like tiny c-clips and miscellaneous bolts. Even some of the most experienced guys have stories about blowing a motor because they were up too late during the assembly process. Take your time and don’t rush anything.
>>Join the conversation about Building an Engine right here in the S2ki Forum!
Do your research
Specifics about assembling almost any motor can be found on YouTube. From small block Chevys to CR125 dirt bike engines there are in depth tutorials almost everywhere. Be careful who you take advice from and make sure the person pays a lot of attention to detail and cleanliness. Engine building is a fun past time and like many things, a majority of it is in the prep work! Jump on eBay and see what you can find! You will learn a lot and have a strong feeling of accomplishment when it fires up for the first time!
>>Join the conversation about Building an Engine right here in the S2ki Forum!
