Do It Myself

RLE80L48 · 09-05-03, 09:23 AM

HI again, more silly questions. I decided I am gonna build a 383.I've done a few 350's(nothing wild) and never had any problems but that was quite a few years ago. The question I have is: what exactly is involved in balancing the assembly?I know I can do it just not sure what and how to go about it. I have a complete machine shop and certified scale down to the gram. Please don't say just pay someone. I actually WANT to do this myself. Any motor head help?

Copdogcorvettes · 09-05-03, 09:48 AM

Well I'm not even going to get into the crank and fly wheel. I've always sent them out. As to pistons and rods, it's been yearsbut the way we did it back in the 60's was;

Pistons: Most new set are pretty well done when you get them
Wiegh all 8 and then find the lightest one.
Slowly remove material from each one until they are all the
same

Rods: Are done the same way, removing from the both the
of the rod caps. If needed from the top as well.

Before starting the wieghing on the fods I would de-ber and lighten each rod. Then and if you you wish open the oiling hole a bit for better flow to the bearings. If you have never done this before practice on an old rod first to get a feel for it.

This is just an old time way of doing things.

JohnZ · 09-05-03, 07:33 PM

Do you have a dynamic crank balancing machine and bob-weights? Can't be done without it.

Stallion · 09-08-03, 12:53 PM

John, if you were to put a price on everything (not including the blocks and materials) you would need to rebuild and modify an engine, how much would it be? I don't mean the engine parts (pistons, rods, etc.) themselves, but the machinery used to rebuild and modify the engines.

JohnZ · 09-10-03, 12:47 AM

You could probably outfit a capable small shop for about $200,000 (with used machines) or $350,000-$500,000 with new or nearly-new machines; precision machining equipment and tooling doesn't come cheap.

Stallion · 09-10-03, 07:10 AM

Thanks, John.

TR

RLE80L48 · 09-10-03, 09:36 AM

Its the old saying it takes money to make money. And people always wonder why you charge what you do. A guy has to make payments on the equipment.Wow, why do we put ourselves through this.