In my eyes, if you aren't a machinist, then you damn sure aren't an engine builder. You're just somebody that can turn a wrench. Building engines takes a lot of knowledge (both book smarts and real world experience), accurate measuring devices you know how to use properly, well kept lathes/mills/surface grinders/etc, and a competent machinist that understand how to use them. It's knowing both sides that makes you good. If you are a machinist that doesn't build engines, then you won't know which side to error to on tolerances, or how crucial surface finish is on certain parts, or a million other things. It takes A LOT to be good. levnuhbin, I'd take my engine elsewhere if I were you.

Not trying to get off topic, but I hope English isn't your first language, cause it's pretty bad and the grammar is pathetic. If it's not your first language though, then no hard feelings.

Id like a mod to kill this thread please. I got the answer I was looking for and your guys much appreciated opinions but now its turning into personal attacks and I dont agree with that considering none of really know eathother from a hole in the wall.
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I agree with levnubhin close or delete this thread...the old lynch mob mentality at work.

Cut the engine builder some slack.

Tony

Its actually just two guys arguing with the engine builder. Not exactly lynch mob.

Well, If you spent 3 grand on forged internals, gaskets, seals, machining, etc, and then your engine blew up in a week, you'd be pissed, no? If you don't like doing shit twice, I'd find another machinist.

i know that if my "built" mtoor died, I'd "cut the engine builder some slack." lol

Beat him with his own broken piston. ;) I've got some 302 pistons in the garage, those things could do damage.

What engine has blown?

The guy wasn't sure about something and at least he had the humility to ask a question since he wasn't familiar with the rods.

What is wrong with that?


Tony

Are you serious? If this guy didn't know that rods are typically made a hair undersize so they can be honed to spec, it sure makes me wonder what other important things he doesn't know. I mean after all, he's an engine builder by profession. He should know his shit. It's kinda like hearing your doctor ask the nurse how to check the your pulse. Doesn't exactly instill confidence in the surgery he's about to perform on you.

You have the reading comprehension of a monkey.

We never even were getting on levnubhin about asking a question about rods. We were simply saying and still saying that if a competent engine builder does not spec clearances on the small end of a rod with a floating wrist pin, then he needs to take his stuff to someone else.

The engine builder himself has come in here stated what I can only derive as testing for a "smooth" fit. I don't care how smooth a wrist pin fits, it needs to be measured to see if it is in spec, proper roundness, and proper taper, PERIOD. It might fit in smoothly with 0.0001" of clearance but that is not enough. On the flip side it will fit smoothly with 0.0030" but that is too much. Both will cause damage in the long term.

Having to hone the small end of a rod is a common thing in building a motor. Having an engine builder that has never done it scares me. I've always had it checked on my builds and I always give my machinist an exact list of clearances that I want for every part of my motor.

If all else fails there is nothing like personal attacks.


Tony

You're just proving his point. In the very post you just quoted he explained his criticism.

You're on the wrong forum.

This is probably a dumb question, but does the big end of the rod have to be honed as well?

It needs to be checked to see if its in spec, in not then it absolutely needs to be honed.

This sucks, I was planning to build a motor myself this spring. If you have to do all that crap. I don't have the machinery to do that.

I need nut and bolt crap. Something inspected before it leaves the factory. Which rods, piston and bearing kit do I need to look for?

No. It's a lot more complicated than that. If you don't know how to build engines, pay someone that does to do it for you.

I have rebuilt a 350 and helped with another. As long as you take your motor to a machine shop and let them machine it all, and tell you the specs to order, it isn't so bad.

But just ordering random parts for a used crank, and not getting specs would be stupid.:)

If your already paying a machine shop to do all the machine work, I'd give them an extra couple hundred to fully assemble the short block. A lot of parts have to be test fitted to check clearances anyway. It would be dumb to have them do all the work and not put it together. If you want to put it together, fine. But you better have the right measuring equipment and know how to verify everything is right. It's more than turning bolts to say the least.