That sounds like a pretty good deal. Have your heads rebuilt for about 300 more, Buy a gasket set and some head bolts, and you're rolling for under 1000

 

That's what I'm hoping for!

 

I changed my mind again and decided to rebuild my own so I would be sure of what was in it. I am in the middle of the project now and even though it cost more I am happy with what I have so far. Still a long way to go and waiting on some parts but here is a look at what I have so far.


Its just dry fit together to see what it looks like.

It is pretty much a stock rebuild kit with .30 over pistons. The only thing I may do different is put a set of shorty truck headers on it. I still have a lot of parts to clean as well as the engine bay and the weather is not cooperating. Might be a long winter!

 

...And it does look good !
I'm in the middle of one of those myself. Just dropped the block and crank off yesterday at the rebuilders for some measuring. I'm *hoping* for just a hone and crank polish, it was a really clean motor with really low miles.
I found a real good degreaser - release all degreaser. $25 a gallon, but I really like it, toss any greasy looking parts in the bucket, pull em out in the morning and shiny like new !
Also (dare I say it ?) read about Chrysler combustion chamber cleaner ($8 a can) thought I'd try that. Man that stuff will turn baked on carbon or throttle body junk into goo like nothing I've seen before.
Now I just have to stop myself from going hog-wild with specialty parts - this is just supposed to be a stock rebuild ...

 

Looking good! If my truck's motor ever needs a rebuild, I'd have a really hard time not (at least) putting some gt40 heads and a little better cam in it. I think that's what chokes these motors so badly. Once you start, though, it's hard not to get carried away. I've got a set of gt40 heads put up just for the occasion lol!

 

Yeah, I've had to force myself to keep it stock, mostly because I don't have enough money to take care of any surprises as this is my first rebuild and I figure the less chances I take the better. If I could I would put a stroker kit and some GT 40 heads for sure.

 

I hear that ! The temptation is definitely there. I just know how costs start to climb so I'm resisting. STOCK. Stock ... stock

 

Finally got back to working on this thing the last two weekends. I have been waiting on parts and waiting out a cold February. Here are two pics from the last week.

I finished everything up today and Tried to start it up. It will run but it won't idle so I still have some work to do. Mechanically it sounds fine I just have to keep it at about 2 to 3 k to keep it running. Threw about 10 codes so I gave up for the day to do some thinking. Next week I'm gonna check grounds first ant then go from there. The saga continues!!! Aggravating but no way to go but forward.

 

So close ! Almost there though !
Maybe a vacuum leak ? Was tps one of the codes ? I've got a post up (feb 22) on testing the tps.
Hopefully it's something real simple ! Looks real good.

 

Make sure the vacuum hose from the intake to the MAP sensor is clear. Sometimes crud can get caught in the vacuum tree during assembly/disassembly if the engine was dirty prior to the build.

Also, if you have an aftermarket cam and/or headers, you will need to install an IAC bypass plate for it to idle. Otherwise, it will surge and shut off at idle.