[viperlocc]

So I decided to do a tear down and rebuild the engine. Piston heads are dirty but can I reuse them or should I replace with forged aluminum? Summit has a kit with forged aluminum for $550. If I dont need to replace the pistons that would be nice (save a little here/there). As for headgasket, I have Windsor Jr. cast iron heads, what head gasket should I use?

car is 1985

[The Novice]

Well if you are going threw all the work of tearing it down, why not clean it up and bore it out? Then it will be like a fresh block. In my opinion i dont see why you shouldnt clean it up, since ya went threw all that work.

But if ya did bore you prob. couldnt use the same pistons. Although if you do replaced i would make sure to get all forged internals. I personally prob. wouldnt bother with the aluminum ones. But its really your choice.

What are you planning to do with this Car? Any HP numbers as a goal? I would personally prob go with a Keith Black, Ross, Trickflow some bigger name to insure quality. But thats just me. If your going to go threw all that would i would make sure ya do it right or your stuck with that ya got in it.

As far as the Head Gaskets. usually the Co. makes some recommendations if you call them, that will at least give you some options. If not im sure someone else will shoot in here shortly to help out more.

Btw, just wondering what Carb are you going with and what CFM?

[fairlane_68]

If you're going to rebuild, why aren't you having any machine work done? Without machining, any money you spend on new pistons or whatever will be wasted. You're better off having the block bored and honed to freshen up the cyliner walls, and check to make sure the crank journals are still straight and such. Spend the money now, or lose a ton more down the road. Engine internals are no place to cut costs. Sure you could re-ring it and throw some fresh bearings in there, but you'll soon start losing compression and oil pressure because the rings and bearings didn't have fresh surfaces to seat against. I can't undterstand why you'd be willing to pay money for forged pistons, and waste them by not having machine work done. That's just pissing away money.

[viperlocc]

The block will go in and get cleaned, same with the heads. Ive rebuilt many honda and supra engines, just never a V8 so im still learning in that field.
Not sure of the HP numbers I want, but nothing AMAZING. Before the headgasket blew, it pulled pretty good. It'll have a 650CFM Holley with mechanical secondaries.

So far go forged internals with a .30 over. Ill look into it.

[The Novice]

Yeah, unless you want to go to a 331 or 347. Now would be the time. Up to you really. If your looking for great HP potential in the Future. You could always do that now ( say a 347) And then just put a mild cam in it.

Then say if later on down the road you really want to make it scream then you can just chance the cam and/or get new heads. Up to you. But its always not not to have to do the work twice. And it would be nice incase you ever change your mind you habe the HP potential waiting for your right there with Displacement

Also if your new to this The Stock Blocks are good upto 500HP - (Ish.) So have fun with it Thats plenty of room to work with.

[gotn20]

Originally Posted by fairlane_68 Sure you could re-ring it and throw some fresh bearings in there, but you'll soon start losing compression and oil pressure because the rings and bearings didn't have fresh surfaces to seat against. I can't undterstand why you'd be willing to pay money for forged pistons, and waste them by not having machine work done. That's just pissing away money.

I blew the shit out of a ring on my stock 188,000 mile motor after about 15 plus bottles of nitrous, I just wanted my car to run for this summer so i just threw in a stock rottating assembly not balanced from a friends car new rings and bearing and this summer alone I've put 14,xxx mile on this motor and at least 6 bottles on a 200 shot and it runs amazing faster than ever. I spent under 300 bucks on the whole motor rebuild. I have perfect oil pressure no blow by clean oil at 3000 miles i've had 0 problems. I'm not saying its the perfect thing to do but it's no death sentence I'd take this car anywhere on this motor.

[viperlocc]

next question...dish, dome, or flat top pistons?

[The Novice]

Do you plan on adding a supercharger at all?

And are you planning to get new heads?

B/c with Dish pistons you have to make sure you have enough clearence if say you have a large cam will over 500 lift. You are going to want to make sure your heads will work and the spring will be able to compress an you have enough valve clearence. If not you will have to get new spings and so on.

But if your going to get new heads then just read up on them and call the company if you have to. The last thing you want to do is get a nice cam and put it in the car and have to redue your head's b/c there wasnt enough room for the valve clearnance.

[viperlocc]

keeping the windsor jr heads and e-303 cam.
no turbo/supercharger/nitrous

[viperlocc]

what about timing? If #1 piston is top dead center, when i throw on the distributor, do i turn it so its on the #1 firing?

[The Novice]

Originally Posted by viperlocc keeping the windsor jr heads and e-303 cam. no turbo/supercharger/nitrous

You can prob. get domed pistons if you want higher compression. But remember Higher compression also adds more heat. But will give you more HP.

The E-cam is honesly junk IMO. I have one and i am upgrading to the Stage 2Cam From trick flow, it is only $165 and will prob ad about 20-25HP over the e-cam with good supporting mods.

But if you do Keep it its is over 500 lift make sure your springs in your heads can compress enough and/or you might need 1.7 Roller Rockers. Ask the head company, or get some specs from them online.

They should be .202 intake and .160 Exhuast. Try to find out, then you chould be able to know if you will have enough clearence. And/or you could call the Cam Company. Thats what i did. At least Trick Flow is very helpful, and know there stuff. But i dunno about Ford.

[viperlocc]

I was thinking of upgrading the cam too. heard lots of good stuff with the stage 2 cam. already have 1.7 roller's as well. thanks for all the help

[White Thunder]

as long as your crank and rods are ok why get forged. the stock ones are plenty strong. if you going to do this stuff wait save and buy a stroker....take advantage of that extra displacement

[e3sean]

you can proly find a whole nother motor that already has the fordged internals for 200 ish... just take that one and have it cleaned check the clearences and if they are good just have it re ringed and new bearings put in and then you will be good to go.

[White Thunder]

hey e5 select you shut your mouth

[e3sean]

Originally Posted by White Thunder hey e5 select you shut your mouth

never!!!