from scratch, shortblock, longblock, or crate

[0to100to0]

hey guys, was just starting to think about my motor build (351 based stroker, all forged afr heads carbureted with nitrous) and was planning on getting all the parts and assembling it myself to save some money but I was starting to wonder if it would even save me any money over buying a longblock
like this one
for 6200, i don't know if i could even gather all these pieces together for that price!
thanks for the guidance and advice.
-matt

 

[0to100to0]

wow, no one wants to weigh in?

 

[Cupid]

DIY.
You get satisfaction from crafting it with your hands.
You learn more and in turn can help somebody else.
You know *exactly* what the torque was on that #3 thrush bearing before you put the oil pan on.
You make mistakes....we all make mistakes....but this time you can talk intelligently about them.


Oh, and we won't call you a pansy. *lol*


Kidding. Good luck with whatever you do!

 

[2+2GT]

Lotta satisfaction if you can do it yourself, there is no part of my car, however small, I have not held in my hand and carefully cleaned and installed.

 

[Hack]

I also vote for DIY, but just because that's what I like. To me the fun of an old car is the DIY. You should do what you want, though. Don't worry about what I might think of you if you "just wrote a check and didn't turn a wrench".

 

[D.Hearne]

If you're not mechanically inclined, buy a long block. If you are and have the time to invest, do it yourself. Nothing wrong with either route.

 

[rbohm]

i personally like building engines for a couple of reasons;

1: when i build the engine i know what parts were used

2: i know how it was assembled.

but you have to determine how good your mechanical skills are, how much time you have to work with, and how much money you have. i always tell people that they can save time, and get a warranty, if they buy a crate motor, but i also advise them to check the torque specs before they install and fir eup the motor.

 

[mrmustangman357]

crate motor is my vote. ford racing

 

[ScottMH]

personally i love to build engines. more than any other mechanical aspect of a car. there is something empowering about makeing power. id say go for it and build it yourself.

 

[Tubo(2-bo)]

I have a block in the machine shop now. I was going for just machining, and I'd do the assembly. But the shop will install the rotating assly about as cheap as I can buy rings & bearings, well close any way. So I'll pick up a very short block & install the cam & timing set myself. Real good shop too.