Short block build up time

[joea]

I'm wondering about how long it would take a novice (me) to complete a engine build up if I purchased a short block. Does 3-4 weeks of nights and weekends sound about right?

[Ron61]

Joea,

How much do you know about building engines. How many tools and what kind do you have. Any machine work to be done. It is hard to set a time. Some guys woud be able to do it in a few hours if they had everything. Fixit for example could probably knock one out in an overnighter if he had everything and just had to assemble it. I on the other hand with my limited tools and knowledge would nost likely see the next ice age about the time I finished it.

Ron

[Roscoe]

Joea,

If you have all the parts it could probably take you a few evenings. Not much to it...basically bolting on stuff. Just take your time and have a good manual around. If you are bolting on a bellhousing the hardest part is getting it aligned properly.

Roscoe

[Clois Harlan]

Joea,

Here are some times that might help:

It took my machine shop about a week and a half to vat, inspect, and line bore my short block. The shop that machined my block did NOT turn and balance my crank. I sent it to another person who specializes in cranks. When I took my crank to my machinist I also included the pistons, rods, rings, harmonic balancer, flywheel and clutch for balancing. He had my crank and parts for about a week. In short, it took me about two weeks to get all my parts back to my house for assembly. This is the easy part but making sure all your gaps and torques are correct can make or break an engine. I failed to check my oil pump flange that bolts to my block for uneveness and consequently it leaked at the gasket. The gap was very slight but it caused my oil pressure to be significantly less than it should have been.

The point I am making is that everything has an order and is important and you really need a good manual to follow if you have never done this before. BUT, the grin on your face when you first fire your engine up would be a Mastercard Moment...Priceless!

Go for it! You can always rent tools and find help here.

Clois

[Roscoe]

Clois,
I always thought the short block was the engine, rotating assembly and a few other parts. My short block included, and fully assembled, crank, pistons, cam, timing chain and cover, oil pump. I assembled it from that point forward.
Roscoe