SuperGreen

one of the pistons went out on my truck yesterday
and now i need to buy a new block. everyone who has seen it says you need to get another one.
now im doing this on an extreme budget. so i plan to do the work myself.

i have a 5.8L 351W 4x4
so what can i do ?

buy a new block and move parts on over?
should i build it on or off the truck ?
where should i buy the block ?

thanks for the replies i will have a lot of questions to ask about this later.

farmer12

The only reason you'd really have to get a new block would be if it threw a rod out the side. When you say a piston went bad...what exactly does that mean?

sleepr89

Lets assume you actually need a short block. Go to your local junkyard and buy a 351 shortblock from your gen truck. Make sure it rotates freely before you actually buy it. Take it home and disassemble, drop off block and bottom end at machine shop,have it all cleaned up for a stock rebuild. Have new bearings and rings installed, then you can order a full engine gasket set, pull the engine in your truck, swap heads and accessories over to the new shortblock, and finish gasketing the rest of the engine (good time to do valve seal work). Then put it back together, set timing and enjoy.

SuperGreen

i mean the piston completly distroyed. not even there.
opened a whole in the block and cracked it.

so its a 351 windsor short block ? thats the one i need ? not the long one ?

truck in progress

really sorry to hear that man, but think of it as a blessing in disguise since this rebuild could (if done right) make this motor stronger than your old one. i havent done an engine rebuild by myself but i have helped my grandpappy on a few occasions with his mustang, always always always take your time andget a good brand of piston rings or youll end up just diving back into the engine.

GhostriderI

351 Winsor is a small block.

SuperGreen

okay thanks.

so lets say i go to the junkyard and get me a block with the heads.
what should i do to it before i start building ?

redo the heads and piston rings ? thats it ?

LOCO LAPTOP

And all berings (Crank, Cam and rods)

SuperGreen

how much would all this cost me?

lets say i get a block and heads for 350
how much would it be to redo the heads, rings , crank ,cam and rods ?

SuperGreen

i will need the whole engine gasket and seals kit
any recommended on that ?