Buy parts first or Prep engine first?

[Space Monkey]

I have what some might call a dumb question, but i couldn't find my answer.

I am about to start a KA build and im at the point where i either send the engine to the machine shop and get the black and head bathed, decked, ported, polished, checked, and measured...OR do i buy parts for the motor first and get them to make the motor work with them? What sequence do i go here?

Thanks!

[numbnuts240]

if i were you i'd deliver teh machine shop a bare head and block along with all the internals i planned on using. then after they call, go and pick up an assembled engine.

[Space Monkey]

This is my first project car and i would like to assemble it with some help from some friends. But i could always just buy bigger parts and have the machine shop make the block fit them...

Right now as it stands i have a bare block and a head with valves still in.

Thanks,

[Space Monkey]

...Why did i get moved? This is a GENERAL motor question...i just happen to be working on a KA...

Just wanted to know the GENERAL rule of thumb for building a motor.

A) - Buy parts first and make the block and head fit them.

B) - get the block and head done and buy parts to fit.

[Space Monkey]

Mod...Please put me back in gen topics??? This area doesn't even get looked at....

[Space Monkey]

Just wanted to know the GENERAL rule of thumb for building a motor.

A) - Buy parts first and make the block and head fit them.

B) - get the block and head done and buy parts to fit.

Thanks,

[ScrapMetal]

Que?

Didn't you already make a thread similar to this one?

[Space Monkey]

Apparently it was not general enough to stay in gen chat...and since no one even viewed it under the ka thread, i made a new one with the most general question i could...since it doesn't belong in the KA section...

[snwbrdr435]

It probably got moved he looked here saw it wasnt here and made a new thread because he was to lazy to search

[Space Monkey]

I know i may have a low post count, although i do understand how forums work. No reason to flame.

[Infinitiguy19]

R

[Space Monkey]

Really? Mr. Apple has an opinion? you need to troll this thread too?

[ScrapMetal]

You're obviously going to be rebuilding your single cam KA, try posting here

zeroforum?id=130

[Xdisaster240sX]

Maybe it got deleted because its a dumb question? I see this thread going to s***...quick

[Space Monkey]

1) I have a 93 DOHC that im building

2) ^ is irrelevant since the question is regarding ANY engine...hence the GENERAL question.

[Space Monkey]

If it is a dumb question that please enlighten me so i can KNOW the answer...then the thread will be over...

[Xdisaster240sX]

well...heres my GENERAL opinion...The question is GENERALLY dumb.

Its like asking whatgoes first. Peanut butter or jelly. Im hungry now...Thanks

[ScrapMetal]

What do you mean by buying parts that "fit, or making parts "fit"? If a certain part is made for a specific engine, it's gonna "fit".

[Koshin]

always get the block/head done first...then i case you have to bore or something you arent stuck with pistons you cant use and s*** and s*** and s*** and s***

just my 2 cents

[fiznowler]

LOL at the helpfulness of nico sometimes. Get all machine work done first. Buy the pistons and bearings to fit what you had it machined to. IF you buy parts first your block could be worse off than you thought and require different parts.

Just realized Koshin beat me to this. But he speaketh the truth!

[Dattebayo]

LOL at the helpfulness of nico sometimes. Get all machine work done first. Buy the pistons and bearings to fit what you had it machined to. IF you buy parts first your block could be worse off than you thought and require different parts.

DUH!

Well, it is quite obvious. Like they say, measure once cut twice?

[Space Monkey]

Thank you for a clear answer. It is much appreciated.

[Dattebayo]

The general rule is:

Generally, I rule!

[Space Monkey]

LOL, today you are winner dave. Thanks for not being such a douche

[240freak90]

you need to buy your parts first. because when you send your block to the machine shop they need the pistons to make sure it gets bored to the correct tolerances. this is if you are buying bigger pistons, if not then it doesnt matter. i would recommend getting your crank and rods balanced though. it only cost me about 100 bucks and theres nothing like peace of mind when building an engine.

[Space Monkey]

LOL nice contradicting answers here.... I'm not going to worry about the balancing because im getting a Brian Crower Crank that comes balanced and eagle rods. Here check out the other answers from the frequent posters:

zerothread?id=460502

[240freak90]

well i know where theyre coming from but its a proven fact that not all pistons come in the exact same size and shape. if you want to build it right then measure your cylinder to see wat size bore it is. whatever size it is i would suggest going to the next bore size just be make sure your cylinder walls are in spec. your machine shop NEEDS your new pistons to be able to bore and hone your cylinder to the correct tolerances and if they say they dont then dont let them machine your block

[240freak90]

its a proven fact that not all pistons come in the exact same size and shape. if you want to build it right then measure your cylinder walls to see wat size bore it is. whatever size it is i would suggest going to the next bore size just be make sure your cylinder walls are in spec. your machine shop NEEDS your new pistons to be able to bore and hone your cylinder to the correct tolerances and if they say they dont then dont let them machine your block.

and yes MEASURE twice buy parts once. as long as you measure correctly you have no reason to worry that your parts wont fit right

[Dattebayo]

your machine shop NEEDS your new pistons to be able to bore and hone your cylinder to the correct tolerances and if they say they dont then dont let them machine your block.

This might be true if you were using stock equipment, but even stock has different grades, so that makes your point moot if you can get a good measurement of the cylinders. If you can't find a company that makes exact enough pistons after you shored up the block, change companies.

[240freak90]

This might be true if you were using stock equipment, but even stock has different grades, so that makes your point moot if you can get a good measurement of the cylinders. If you can't find a company that makes exact enough pistons after you shored up the block, change companies.

it doesnt matter how you make them or how good of a company they are there WILL be some differences. they cant make every single piston exactly the same. yes you can have them bore and hone first then buy pistons to fit but imo its safer to buy what size pistons you are going to use and send them to the machine shop with your block so they can bore it and finish hone it to the correct tolerances