This is topic What should I do with my project?? in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by zpyro35 (Member # 3745) on :
 
K, I have a 5.0 HO longblock I'm rebuilding to put in my Tbird. it has 150k on it, and the bearings show it. other than the bearings, what else should I check? I'm thinking I should take out the pistons (or at least take the heads off and rotate the crank) and look at the cylinder walls and pistons. what should I look for when I look at the walls (runs/scratches like the bearings)?

Also, I want some input on what I should do performance-wise. $700 for a 331 stroker kit is kind of much, especially on my budget ($140/wk, insurance, gas, pay car off, girlfriend, etc.). Does boring the block .030 over have much power in it, or any other advantages? Disadvantages?

Should I replace the pistons and/or rods if I stay with normal bore?

My uncle suggested a B-303 cam, since I still have speed density and have to smog the car. I probably have to stay with stock heads for now, so keep that in mind.


Basically, I want some ideas of what to do with my engine! Help!!

[ February 04, 2004, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: zpyro35 ]
 
Posted by 87 Saleen (Member # 1549) on :
 
here is what you do. Order a rebuild kit from summit, buy the book on how to rebuild an engine, borrow a torque wrench, and a ring compressor and put that bitch in.

A rebuild kit with forged pistons will run you >$500. If you decide to go 30 over, you need to get new pistons. Take the block to the machine shop and have them hone it, and hot tank it, install cam bearings and freeze plugs = <$150. Paint the block. You can use those same pistons, which should still should be good. After that all you need is new piston rings, and main bearings - Rebuilds are so easy it's rediculous.

It wouldn't hurt to have them freshen up those heads either, but then after all this you might want to ask yourself if you really wanna do all this to your t-bird.

I'm sure the computer is different from from what you got and an H.O. Wiring harness maybe too- idunno about that one though.

-The rods are numbered and when you take everything apart, take your time -one by one - to put it all back together with the same nut on the same bolt of the same side of each connecting rod.
 
Posted by 87 Saleen (Member # 1549) on :
 
Dont change the cam either.
 
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :
 
Find a 302 from an Explorer in the junk yard and install it. Best bang for the buck. It'll have GT40 or GT40P heads, and an explorer intake. Let me know if you find two of these motors [Big Grin]
 
Posted by 66 AC COBRA (Member # 904) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
Find a 302 from an Explorer in the junk yard and install it. Best bang for the buck. It'll have GT40 or GT40P heads, and an explorer intake. Let me know if you find two of these motors [Big Grin]
hes speed density, wont this mess him up a little bit too much
 
Posted by zpyro35 (Member # 3745) on :
 
well, a friend of mine can get a 331 stroker kit for about $400, which is 300 less than the cheapest I've seen.

Any why does everyone have something against any Ford car that isn't a Mustang? I just don't feel like buying a car and doing what everyone else does. I want to be different, I want to have a car that most people see as a granny car, yet can keep up with other sports cars (as well as burn the ricers).

As for the computer, I got the Mustang computer from the same car as the engine ('87, speed density).

For the cam, my uncle suggested a B-303, because he said it would pass smog and work with speed density. But I'll probably end up switching to mass air anyways, since I'll be 18 soon and able to get some more money.

What does freshening up the heads consist of? just cleaning them, or completely rebuilding them?
 
Posted by AcesWild85 (Member # 2616) on :
 
Do it man, I'd love to see a fast T-bird! Someday when I have money to spend on a project car I want to do a tbird because you just don't see that many of them that can really turn and burn. Atleast I havn't anyway. Don't forget the rest of the car either when you're doing this! Get that chasis stiffened up
 
Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
yeah dude, make yourself a badass t-bird! [patriot]
 
Posted by KillerKar (Member # 3312) on :
 
I would like to finally see a Thunderbird runs 12's or even 11's.
 
Posted by zpyro35 (Member # 3745) on :
 
So how much power would a stroked 331 have? Would it still work with speed density, or would it require mass air?
 
Posted by zpyro35 (Member # 3745) on :
 
does anybody know??
 
Posted by zpyro35 (Member # 3745) on :
 
well today we sold my old car, so now I have $475 in my pocket. Plus today's payday, but I still have to pay some people off with that. So what would you suggest to do with that much money? From what I've heard, it's a lot of extra stuff to buy to get a 331 to work in a bird, so should I just get a normal 302 rebuild kit and stick with the HO 5.0? I'm confused!
 




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