Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Hotrodders/engine builers-advice?

I'm currently in school to become a grease monkey,and this term we are building engines. Since I don't have anything myself, a frined of mine asked me to do the engine for a 52 chevy truck he is restoring. I think it's a 235,but must confirm.For sure it's a straight six.
Where would you recommend looking for a rebuild kit? Not sure yet what I need till I tear it down, but I'd like to get an idea of what the bill might be. Any good reputable sellers online? I figure it'll likely be easier/cheaper to order from the U.S than find it ehre in Canada,so was hoping maybe Summit would have it,but it appears not. Any other suggestions?

"Stovebolt Six" has some really cool 6 Banger rebuild and performance parts.

Gunner

didn't realize PAW only sells through their ebay store now, they use to have really good prices on stock rebuild kits.

I get my engine building parts from Wells Speed Equipment in Texas.

speed way motors lincoln ne

Are you at SAIT, ....or NAIT ?

GTC

that's the first place I'd check.

http://www.rockauto.com/

Sorry guys,lost this thread for a bit,had to dig it back up. I checked the places suggested,so far unable to find the parts I need. I've got it torn down now,so far I know I'll need a cam and lifters,and will need to get the crank ground too. It's been rebuilt before,crank had been ground 10 under,cylinders are bored .30 over already. Might be able to get by with just a light hone on tyhe cylinders,pistons are still in good shape,looks like it didn't get too many miles on it after the last rebuild. Will measure clearances tommorow,see where I'm at.

Need valves too,if possible,and pushrods. One bent rod and a tight valve,not sure why yet. Will try some local suppliers tomorrow,hoping I can find something. Oh yeah,turns out engine is a 216,bout 51 vintage looks like.

CROSS, I'm actually not at NAIT or SAIT. NAIT is a bit over an hour away,but there's another one(Lakeland) a bit closer,with smaller class sizes and more hands-on work.NAIT no longer lets you bring in your own engine to work on, this place still does.

Looks like Rockauto has most of the stuff you need. You said you have a 216 but I believe its really a 216.5 and some places call it a 216 while others call it a 217.

Egge

www.egge.com

you might ask someone at a local machine shop that rebuilds motors, i know the machinist i use has gotten me parts before when i had a hard time finding them, plus he got me damn good prices.

Been using Rock Auto myself lately and can give them a good endorsement. Got a brand new GM radiator for the wifes Hummer this week for $214 when they wanted almost $400 locally for an aftermarket. Also got a Timken wheel bearing for $199 when they wanted almost $350 anywhere else in town.

Fellow students and instructors don't have any good suggestions?

Those "in the business" would be the first ones I'd ask.

I know nothing about this place but they say they specialize in old GM truck parts.

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index.php/category/technical-articles/1934-46/mechanical-1934-46/

Yeah me too Coldbore. The engine business is a very eclectic bunch. We each spend so much time in our own little backyards that you can have an expert on one type of engine completely out of his area of expertise on another not too different engine.

Ask the fellows who have trod the road before you. We all did it when we started out.

As far as the crank and the bore goes there is a good chance you can get by without touching them. I don't like taking too much off a crank because with a lot of the old stuff you get out of the hardened material pretty quickly. I don't even like taking much out of a bore because of how the cylinder distorts as it warms up. An old engine builder taught me early on to take only what you need to and to take it in as exact a fashion as you can. It was and still is great advice.

Let us know how the project comes out bud. It sounds like a fun one and I hope you enjoy it.

Will