Well, and this is just my opinion, but I know of about 4 shops in the area that were willing to rebuild my engine and allow me to make payments on it as it was getting done. Yeah it isn't the cheapest endeavor in the world, but at least you know it is getting done correctly.

Now, if you have experience rebuilding engines, then please ignore the above statement.

 

I hear ya, and that certainly looks like a good choice. With you bringing that up, I will talk to our shop. What I think would be nice is to ask the guy rebuilding my engine if I can come in and watch/help a little. That way I could get some experience and not risk messing anything up.
If I was doing multiple projects/engines, it would make sense for me to learn to master this by myself, but since I won't be doing 1 or maybe 2 engines, I might as well see if I can get some help.
It all depends on price, if its going to end up too expensive, I'm on my own.

And don't worry, I have ZERO experience rebuilding engines, so all help and advice is appreciated!

 

Well, and this is just my opinion, but I know of about 4 shops in the area that were willing to rebuild my engine and allow me to make payments on it as it was getting done. Yeah it isn't the cheapest endeavor in the world, but at least you know it is getting done correctly.

Now, if you have experience rebuilding engines, then please ignore the above statement.

 

Once the machine work is done probably the easiest thing you'll do on your car is build the motor. I'd rather build 50 motors then go through all the body work again.

 

Oh, see this I didn't know. My project started with all, well 95% of the body work done (the roof...... need I say more). And I have experience and knowledge of interior work, so...... I needed someone to rebuild my 289, which I found.

OK, well thanks for the info. Hightower keep up the great stuff.

 

I'll build your motor if you do my interior

The hardest part of any motor build if putting together the right combination of parts, unless you keep it stock. Lots of people are afraid of motors until they tear one apart, there really isn't that much to them other than repetition. Once you gap one ring gapping 15 others is a bore. My son wanted to work on one of our bb really bad, after torquing down one head he had enough. "Dad this sucks, its so boring!!"

 

What do you need done on your interior? I have some neat ideas that I am going to do on various parts throughout my car to "give it a touch".

 

I can't wait to hear about and see what your plans for the interior are. We talked a bit about it a few months ago.


Also a side note, I put my 302 on craigslist for $400 the other night. Someone called offering me a 390 as a straight trade. It's a running 390 that's actually in a '58 Panel Wagon right now but it came out of a 1961 Ford Galaxy 500. It has an exhaust leak but if I'm rebuilding it, that won't be a problem.

What do you guys think? I know a 390 is a tight fit, and I'm not even sure if I would use it, but do you think I should trade? The 390 is probably worth a bit more, correct? I'm wondering if it's worth the time and effort....

Again, I might not even use it cause it's a big block, but I'm wondering if it is worth the time and effort?

I guess a 390 would help me get closer to the 350HP range, and might make most of you guys happy since it'll be an alternative to the LM4.

 

Well, I think you should trade for the 390, then trade it to me for my 289. Come on..... you know you want to....

All seriousness, a 390 will fetch more money than a 302, or at least it will around here in upstate NY.

As for my plans, I would rather show them as I do them. If that makes any sense. If not, I can probably be "talked" into it.

 

I'd be careful on a trade like that. You don't know what everything looks like on the inside. The 289 that came in my car had 4 bad rods and a bad crank. So I ended up with a block and a set of crappy heads that went to the junk pile. If the block has already been bored to its max, then you can't even salvage that.

Trading a good motor for what could be a pile of junk is a crap shoot I wouldn't be willing to make.

BTW, I bought a 1977 351 with a c4 tranny that just came out of a Lincoln Versalle for $100. Doesn't seem to be much value is these older motors unless they are fresh.