I need advice about my engine

54HotRod

54HotRod

Junior Member
I pulled the 1984 351W out of my 54 Customline last week and now I"m contemplating if I should just clean the grease off the engine and slap her back in or do a rebuild. When it comes to a rebuild, I don't know my a** from a hole in the ground. Pretty much I will be learning as I go just as I have with everything else on this car.

So the part I need advice about is what parts do I need for a rebuild. I don't want to make the engine a super power rocket that goes mach jesus. I have a car that is a custom, so if anything I just want my engine to be reliable and have a nice low rumble almost like a flathead. Currently I do still have points and I would like to change that out. Also the coil is a bit old and I would like to be upgrade that as well.

Last year I purchased an Edlebrock Endurashine Dual Quad performer series intake manifold and carburetor set up, but I was told by a friend that it would cause the engine to become sluggish if I put it on before changing the cam. I really like the look of the equipment and I'd like to have it on the engine. I'm looking for advice of what parts will keep the engine at a normal sound but not cause the engine to become sluggish. Obviously I don't want to spend and arm and a leg but I also understand that some things are just expensive. Also, how long should it take for a shop to clean and inspect the block or whatever they do to make sure its not jacked up?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and hopefully for advice too.
 
Having already pulled the engine, you have probably made it easier at the very least to just freshen up the internals. A machine shop should be able to let you know the verdict on your engine in a couple of days. A better move would have been to do a compression check before you pulled the engine and then when the engine was out, turn it over and visually check the bearings before deciding on a course of action. I am very much of the thought that you don't fix what ain't broke unless you want to upgrade everything.
Something along the lines of a Isky E4 cam is the best for the street. Check their catalogue for what is best for a Windsor engine. Putting the manifold you want to use will require a better exhaust system than standard for the Windsor. A good tri-y header system will also work better for the street.
As for wanting your car to sound like a flathead, you may be pushing the proverbial uphill. Your engine is is over 100 cubes bigger and will always sound louder unless you muffle it right down. Your Windsor also has different firing order I believe.
Regards
 
Rings ,bearings, oil pump, timing gears and chain at a minimum, They're cheap when the engine is already out. Machinist can tell you if a rebore is necessary. Call a cam company and have the weight of the car, rear gear ratio, tire size and what you want out of the car available and they can recommennd a cam for your application.

And yes, you can do this. Reliable street engines aren't rocket science. They're common sense standard practice assembly techniques. Ask as you go. Plenty of people here to guide you through it.
 
If you have a good supply of common hand tools and a clean place to work, you can do this at home. If you cant borrow an engine stand, you can stand the engine on its flywheel end and work on it from there. Remove the heads. If there is little or no ridge on the top of the cylinders, a re-ring with the parts mentioned above it a good idea. Always take apart one rod-piston assembly at a time, and replace the rod cap the way it came off. Number everything. Same with main bearings. The lifters should be kept in order. Clean all the parts in a pail of solvent and blow dry. Lay the parts on clean newspaper and cover to keep clean. If you get in trouble, see us.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top