Queens94z28

I just bought a new OEM 4 bolt main shortblock. Wanted to take it apart and reassemble with new lube and clean it out good since its been sitting for a long time (1997). It was bagged but not good enough.

I bought the book which explains how to assemble etc...

My questions are, can I reuse the bolts on the bottom end...ie mains, rods etc. Do I have to measure clearances upon reassembly since I will be using all the same parts again?

Is there a way to disassemble but leave the pistons in the cylinders so I wont have to re-ring them?

Should I just take it to a machine shop? What do you think that would run me?

Plans for the shortblock are mild H/C package for about 375-400 hp with all supporting mods.

Thanks.

1994 BIRD

Just take the main and rod caps off and remove the crank. Clean the old lube off the bearings relube and reinstall back in the same location and you will be fine. You can reuse the bolts. You can get by with out pushing the pistons out just use caution not to scar the crank.

ulakovic22

Personally I wouldn't worry about doing all the work. I would just rotate the motor and wipe down the cylinder walls again. When you prime it it will help push all that lube out and after you run it for 5-10 minutes and change the oil you will be fine.

If you are going to do it. Rotate the motor over a few times to get all the cylinder walls lubed again and then as you take the rod caps off push the pistons to the top of the bore. That will give you more room to get the crank out. You will have to be very careful to make sure you get all the bearings marked and put back in the same place. Not really hard, just have to work slow, be careful and be prepared. If you have to stop/start because you run out of lube, can't find a tool, change a diaper, GF wants to go out to eat, etc you take a greater chance of screwing something up.

1eyedmaro

i bought the same engine i believe. powertrainproducts? anyways i tore it down and installed arp rod bolts and new lube in everything. Running great at 5k seeing frequent 6800 shifts. You can reuse all of the bolts if you want to. Keep everything in order, you will not need new rings being that these are not yet seated.

Queens94z28

Yup, same engine from powertrain products. When you installed the arp rod bolts, did you have the rods resized? I think I will set aside a whole day and do it from beginning to end, leaving the pistons in the block. Just remove the crank, give all the surfaces a good cleaning and put it back together the same way it came apart.

What is the torque sequence on the 4 bolt mains?

Any other thoughts?

Already contacted advanced induction for my top end.

1eyedmaro

I had a few people tell me that i needed to resize the rods but i visually checked how the caps were lining up with the rods after i swapped the bolts and everything looked perfect so i went ahead and assembled it. If i had to do it again, i would let a shop press the bolts in and go ahead and resize the rods but at the time money was an issue. With a head and cam package i would recommend changing the rod bolts though. cheap insurance.

Torque for the main caps is 77 ft. lbs.; i would do that in 3 passes (maybe 25, 50, 77).

Use arp head bolts for sure (they are cheap). Clean the threads and face surfaces of every bolt before aplying arp moly lube. Take your time and think it through.

Here is my build thread, may help you out a little: http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/showthre...train+products

Queens94z28

I just noticed that the main cap bolts are not the same as the ones on my current motor. What should I do about the windage tray since the current bolts are not studded to bolt the tray on.

Anybody have a part number for the replacement bolts? or should I buy an aftermarket pan with built in windage tray? Will be installing Kooks long tubes so not sure about fitment issues with an aftermarket pan.

1eyedmaro

o yes, i forgot about this problem. i had to find the bolts on ebay. it worked out great though. here you go: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Small...Q5fAccessories

Queens94z28

Thanks so much! Should need three of them right?

1eyedmaro

yea, they should all be included in that auction. You will have to find a real deep socket to fit over the top of them though. haha. Glad i could help man