Today I went to get the Ford small block V8 block back from the machinists. To remind ourselves, I'm building a 347 cubic inch engine using a 302 small block Ford V8 as a base unit. The kit that I have actually builds a 348 cu in engine, as mine is bored +40thou. This gives a 5.7litre capacity. The engine has been at a local machinists (Modus Engine Services - good bunch of guys) for the last 7 months. This really isn't anyone's fault, it's just the way things turned out. I was in no rush anyway. During that time, I'd bought the camshaft, the crank, the rods, the pistons, the main bearings, the rod bearings, the cam bearings, the core plug kit and the piston rings.
So, now the block is back (no photos - everything is wrapped in plastic to keep it really clean for the build). The work that has been done is:
* Hot pressure test block (looking for cracks) - passed!
* Strip all core plugs, oil plugs.
* Hot wash, chemical dip, and hot wash again.
* Refit core plugs, fit screw in oil plugs to replace press in versions
* Prep all mating surfaces and housings
* Hone bores to piston size
* Fit new cam bearings
* Machine block for conversion to hydraulic roller cam
* Dummy build short motor to check clearances and piston to deck measure
* Skim decks so pistons level with tops of bore
* Relieve block to clearance for long-throw crank
* Dummy build again for final checks, and strip back down.
As you can see, I've (they've!) been quite thorough on the prep for the build. In my opinion, it's folly to spend a shedload on hi-perf bits and bobs and then not giving a thought for the prep of the block. It wasn't cheap, mind you. The machining cost as much as most of the bits I've bought so far added together!
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