I'm getting my shortblock back this week and I'm not sure if I should finish the motor myself.
Does anyone have a good write-up on installing a top-end. I put a set of heads on last year but I was not confident I did it right.
I got the tool to determine my pushrod length. Everything elso is ready and waiting for the shortblock. All the parts are brand new and very pricey so I'm a little worried.

 

If someone never tried we'd still be living in huts and dipping water out of a creek. Give it a try, go through it in your mind over and over until you feel that you feel comfortable. I'm by no means a pro and have failed at many things but keep on trying.

 

Do you know someone that would be willing to work with/mentor you while you do the build? That's how I learned, between the manual and my dad, heck if I was closer I'd help you.

 

I'll recommend a reference book: How to Rebuild Small-Block Chevy LT-1/LT-4 Engines by Mike Mavrigian. I happen to think it's very good and full of pictures. There is a final assembly chapter.

You can get it from HP books (number 1393) and maybe from Amazon. Here is the ISBN number: 1-55788-393-9

Finally, don't be intimidated by this. It truly isn't that difficult...you'll just have to pay attention to cleanliness and torque specifications.

 

There is no better feeling than building and engine and firing it up for the first time. Do it. Get the above mentioned books and have fun.

 

I'm trying to get the book right now. Thanks

 

DO IT! i was probably 17 when I did my first small block build. my buddy Chris' dad was there guiding us throughout the build. after that we were on our own and never looked back. have fun and take your time.

 

Before last august (when I bought my camaro) I had (sadly) been a mini-van dad for a good ten years...changing my own oil was the extent of my wrenching. In january my head gasket blew and I did the whole thing myself, with the help of the guys here and some other resources I found. Ended up doing the whole top end including the springs and adjusting the rockers. Been running like a top for a month now. Do what the others said..Research, Research, Research. If something doesn't sound right or make sense in your head, research it again or post a question.

One thing I discovered doing the head gasket repair is that I will NEVER let anyone else/shop work on this car (except maybe for paint/bodywork, stuff like that). I ran into a lot of things that took considerably more time/effort than planned, and I'm almost positive that a shop would have taken a shortcut and either cobbed those particular items, or skipped it entirely. Nobody ever works on your car with the care and attention to detail that you will, since you'll be the one driving it and dealing with the effects of what you did. Hope this helps!

 

Another warm LT1 rebuild story for ya. Up until two years ago I have never worked on a engine other than changing oil which I sometimes did not do correct. When I blew a head gasket only 1 month after getting my car I put my build plan into affect. I did the complete tear down and had the machine shop do all the block work. I did all the assembly bottom and top with some help from my father and the above mentioned book. The car start up on the first try and I nearly crapped my pants because it was so loud (open headers in a one car garage) but I was happy and satisfied because I did all the work. And now I am planning a FI rebuild (parts in sig) and hopefully will be making close to 800 rwhp when I am all done. Just make sure you have all accommodating parts for max HP and you will be happy. Don't be afraid to tackle this because it is really not that hard and it is an awesome feeling when you are done.

 

Got to learn sometime or another.

 

I am a shop owner and would never take anyshortcuts on any job we do. That kind of offends me. I work on the cars that come in. I do not sit at the counter because i love working on cars. I think most shops i know take better care of their customers cars than they do thier own cars. We go WAY above on customers cars and degrease and detail the engine compartments on any car we do intake or head gaskets on. We also wash cars that are really dirty or leave fender cover clean spots on the cars. I am only on this website to help other people work on their own cars and save money. So please don't think all shops are evil places that only want to take your money. We do care about cars and people and thats why i got into business. I hope he does his own work and i will be here to answer any questions anyone has.

 

If this offended you personally, my apologies, no need to take offense from an innocent post that meant no harm to anyone. However, I'm also speaking to past experiences that I have personally had with much simpler jobs than this..and not even necessarily with just this vehicle. It's been my experience that shops that do the sort of work you are claiming you do, are few and far between, at least in my area.

 

I agree with z0s0. It goes without saying that not all shops do things "by the book." I've seen some incredibly poor workmanship come back on some friend's cars that was borderline unsafe. For example, a friend of mine paid to have his TCI torque converter installed at a "reputable" transmission shop. Upon further inspection, the torque converter was held in with the wrong bolts. The shop didn't have the right bolts for the job (type of bolts that thread directly into the torque converter), so they used three skinny bolts, 3 washers and a nut to bypass the threads in the mating flange on the converter. No lock washers, no loctite. You could literally rock the converter on the flywheel. Bad news waiting to happen!

 

I think you guys need to realize that this is a serious build an not just an average rebuild. I wouldn't push anyone one to do this on there own the first time around. He has spent alot of money an could be an expensive learning curve if not done properly. I still suggest getting professional help.

 

I have been on this site for a while and there is alot of shop bashing and i can say i had some seriously bad experiences myself and just don't want everyone to think that all shops are bad and there is times where someone gets in over their head. I Just want to help thats all. I have a shop that actually changes my oil for me when i am on vacation and they are great. I trust them completely. I feel bad for anyone that had a bad experience. Now for the question. If he has the bottom end done the top end is the easy part. I say read up and go for it. The shortblock is the easy part to mess up. Go for it. The first Engine i built over 800hp took me three days because i was scared and called for tech info all over the country and most places was very helpful. If you get in trouble stop,cover the engine and call someone. Good luck