Smooth stock or Rumbling fun, this is the question - 11/03/15 01:17 AM
Thanks for your patience with all my posts...
The situation: For very cheap, I can put together a 250 engine stock. Risks are a little corrosion in the cylinders (steel wool is your friend), the CAM is questionable (I pulled a lifter and saw questionable wear), it will burn some oil. I can lap the valves, replace the seals and be on my way.
Result: Smooth, stock 250 performance at a cheap price. (160-170 HP)
The alternative: Have my 230 block bored to 0.040", acid cleaned, new CAM bearings installed, block flattened by a machinist. Convert to 250 with a reconditioned crank from rockauto, put in forged aluminum pistons, a new CAM (0.484, think 0.495 is too much), lump port head (1.84" intake, 1.6" exhaust). I have a lot of city driving, hence the smaller intake and CAM. Have tools, will travel, so assemble it all myself learning along the way. Risk is that I miss something in the assembly and the engine blows up.
Result: Rumbling rocking engine, ready for fun. (225-250 HP)
I figure it's about $300 vs. $3000.
What would you do?
PS Anybody need a 250 shortblock?
The situation: For very cheap, I can put together a 250 engine stock. Risks are a little corrosion in the cylinders (steel wool is your friend), the CAM is questionable (I pulled a lifter and saw questionable wear), it will burn some oil. I can lap the valves, replace the seals and be on my way.
Result: Smooth, stock 250 performance at a cheap price. (160-170 HP)
The alternative: Have my 230 block bored to 0.040", acid cleaned, new CAM bearings installed, block flattened by a machinist. Convert to 250 with a reconditioned crank from rockauto, put in forged aluminum pistons, a new CAM (0.484, think 0.495 is too much), lump port head (1.84" intake, 1.6" exhaust). I have a lot of city driving, hence the smaller intake and CAM. Have tools, will travel, so assemble it all myself learning along the way. Risk is that I miss something in the assembly and the engine blows up.
Result: Rumbling rocking engine, ready for fun. (225-250 HP)
I figure it's about $300 vs. $3000.
What would you do?
PS Anybody need a 250 shortblock?