So after some searching I've got a line on some NOS iron 4.6 blocks. This got me thinking about building an essentially new engine.
The benefits would be that I would have the maximum amount out meat in the cylinder walls and unless I went with ARP main studs I'd be able to skip the trip to the machine shop. The downside would be that it's slightly more expensive due to the cost of the NOS block.
Skipping the trip to the machine shop is probably the biggest benefit to me. This is because finding a trust worthy shop in my area that actually has deck plates for a 4.6 seems to be non-existent. The one guy I trusted basically let his shop go down the tubes because of his divorce and I've genuinely been screwed by 2 others. A few of you may have read my rant in a terminator section thread. Basically in this area if you're not running an old school engine or an LS you're screwed.
I've built/rebuilt more then a few engines. I've done backyard hone and re-ring jobs and helped people build up freshly bored engines. I have all the tools minus my damn dial bore gauge that I can't find! I despise the idea of buying an engine from an engine builder. With building my own and helping others I've put together at least 8 engines that I remember, maybe as many as 10.
With all that said I have never once bought or seen anyone buy a new factory block and put an engine together.
So has anyone ever gone down this road before? If you have what were your experiences and would you do it again? Any other opinions from experienced builders is also appreciated.
Sorry for the long read.
The benefits would be that I would have the maximum amount out meat in the cylinder walls and unless I went with ARP main studs I'd be able to skip the trip to the machine shop. The downside would be that it's slightly more expensive due to the cost of the NOS block.
Skipping the trip to the machine shop is probably the biggest benefit to me. This is because finding a trust worthy shop in my area that actually has deck plates for a 4.6 seems to be non-existent. The one guy I trusted basically let his shop go down the tubes because of his divorce and I've genuinely been screwed by 2 others. A few of you may have read my rant in a terminator section thread. Basically in this area if you're not running an old school engine or an LS you're screwed.
I've built/rebuilt more then a few engines. I've done backyard hone and re-ring jobs and helped people build up freshly bored engines. I have all the tools minus my damn dial bore gauge that I can't find! I despise the idea of buying an engine from an engine builder. With building my own and helping others I've put together at least 8 engines that I remember, maybe as many as 10.
With all that said I have never once bought or seen anyone buy a new factory block and put an engine together.
So has anyone ever gone down this road before? If you have what were your experiences and would you do it again? Any other opinions from experienced builders is also appreciated.
Sorry for the long read.
