wanted to get your guys's feedback on things to buy, do, whatever. I'm starting with an already rebuilt 350, but i am going to strip it and start from scratch! keep what's good, throw out the bad and get new! Fill me in with some good pointers, like mistakes that first timers tend to get into, things NOT to do, parts to gimme some bang for the buck, etc. etc. Also, where is a good place to find an engine stand!??? I have a cherry picker and all the obvious necessities!

 

This is truly a case of " cleanliness is next to godliness".

Keep everything clean.

Mark all parts with exactly where they came from. Things like bearing caps, from my experience, are NOT interchangeable. Mark everything with a marker.

Got a digital camera? Take pictures.

Pistons come out one way and go in one way. Depending on the engine, parts can only go in one way. For example, the pistons I had were marked with a notch designating forward.

Engine lube, AKA white grease. Lots and lots.

Do not change cam bearings if you really don't have too. That is a lot of work for what may be very little gain.

A reliable parts store and keep all receipts for returning stuff you don't need minus restocking charges.

Double check parts. I had a guy selling me Buick parts for an Olds.

Phone, or ask around, for the best place to get service, knowledge, and price. The best place up here is NOT an auto parts store, but, a place called Central Transport and Refridgeration.
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Mr Was A Rookie Once

 

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! MORE IS BETTER!!!!!!!!

Yeah, this is gonna be a long project for me. I'm not planning on having it done in 6-8 months, i'm talking years. So mostly everything will more than likely be replaced with new/better.

I also am planning on getting a digi-camera soon, so yeah, that's a very good idea to take pics of everything as you go. I also have some plywood boxes/pallets that are pretty decent in size so i can lay my parts out in those (in layers if necessary) and be able to keep them all separated.

I have a "commercial account" at an auto place store...Checker Auto. Not a bad place for getting discounts and stuff like that.

Also for the cleanliness part. I work in a machine shop that works with all kinds of metals, cast iron, steel, stainless, alloy's, aluminum, well u get my drift. We have a power-washer that pushes out like 600lbs of pressure and gets hotter than hell and we also have a dip tank for some cast iron parts that has a anti-rust oil in it! Do you think this would be a good idea to keep my parts clean? Wash them and than dip them in this anti-rust?!

 

Don't plan on that length of time. A rebuild, once parts are acquired, can be measured in hours or a weekend.

Pallets, you are thinking too large. Margarine containers are more applicable.

You will be VERY surprised how few parts there are.

Parts don not need to be washed, might even be a bad idea. Take 'em out and coat them in white grease/engine lube.

Find the time line for parts ordering, then start taking things apart. Replacing bearings ($) for the sake of replacing them is a money wasting idea. Same with rings, have a real GOOD reason for doing it.

Rebuilding does not make things better, it just changes things.

Stew