Now that I've got a short block in need of rebuilding, I need to dissemble it before I get the block machined. But, I'm not really sure where to start. I've removed the nuts off the studs in the connecting rods where they join the crankshaft (well, the majority of them, I couldn't reach a few). But, how do I go about rotating the crankshaft to get at the other nuts, and once those are off, how must the connecting rods be taken apart and how do you push the pistons out of the bores? Any help, walkthroughs, or whatever will be greatly appreciated!

Also, if I am using a term wrong, or could be using a term in place of half a sentence, please fill me in. This is my first engine build and I'm not too sure of the vocabulary!

 

With out sounding rude, you really need to purchase some literature on what your doing. There is a wealth of info on this site and if you read it enough you will figure out the few to listen too. But a good manual or something will really help you along the way. Good luck.

 

Thanks rjmcgee, I hear ya, but actually, I've already purchased David Vizard's "How to Build Max Performance Chevy Small Blocks on a Budget," and Larry Atherton and Larry Schrieb's "How to Build the Smallblock Chevrolet" is on its way right now. In Vizard's, he says the first thing to do when stripping the bottom end is to remove each complete rod assembly. He doesn't go into any detail on how it should be done, though. I was considering taking a hammer and tapping the rod caps off, but then decide it would be best to ask people who have done this before how it's done right! I'll probably end up buying new rods anyhow, but I want to do this right.

 

Cool deal. Hope it works good for ya. For me it's one of those things that I have done but it was a while ago. I don't like to give advice unless I'm 100% sure of what I'm talking about.

 

rj is right....do a lot of research first.

it'll save you a lot of $$...

btw, throw away that claw hammer...and purchase a soft-blow hammer. Go to any tool store and they'll help you. You dont want to bang on anything metal on your engine with another metal object.

 

Alright, sounds like good advice, will do!

 

get a Haynes manual for a firebird with a V8, or basically any car with a Chevy V8. It will tell you how to do stuff step by step, basic things like rod bolts and things like that.

 

i can do one better.

haynes makes a manual specific to the chevy v8, and is what i used when i rebuilt my 305 last year. it does cover all chevy v8 engines except the 348 and 409 i believe.

it'll run you about 15 bucks at the major chain stores.

 

Read through the How to build the Small Block Chevy and it should tell you everything you need to know about rebuilding a motor. It's a really good book and I use even though I've built a few engines. When I take out the rod/piston assembly I use a wooden dowel rod, place it on the underside of the piston and hammer it out (not hard though). Make sure you have someone on the other side to catch it when it falls out.

 

I've removed 2 pistons so far using your method, kfoley, but I can't get the rest out because I can't get at the rod cap nuts. How do you go about rotating the crankshaft so that you can get at these better?

I have the Haynes' manual for the thirdgen Camaro, but last I looked I didn't think it gave much information as far as engine building goes. I'll look again, and I'll look for the one specifically for the Chevy V8.

I am anxiously awaiting How To Build the Small Block Chevy... should've purchased faster shipping!

 

There are a few ways to rotate the engine to get at the rod caps. First of which is my preferred method. Take the damper you took off (or didn't already) and slip it onto the crank nose. It doesn't have to be on all the way, but as far as you can get it. You can then turn it by hand with the damper, or if it's being stubborn or you're not quite strong enough (sometimes I can't roatate them by hand) take the 3 bolts that hold on the crankshaft pulley to the damper and run them in (not all the way, but far enough) then take a breaker bar or a 2x4 and place it between the bolts to use as a lever then rotate around until you can get at the desired rod. The other way would be to use the flywheel/flexplate to spin the motor, but that's a little harder and tends to tear up your hands (especially w/o gloves on).

The haynes manual isn't a whole lot of help when building a motor, but the Small Block book is. I've used it many a time and it's an invaluable resource. You will learn a lot when you read it, I sure did.

 

My short block didn't come with a damper, but, I did come with the flexplate, so when I get home I'll try that. I hope I've got some heavy-duty gloves lieing around. Thanks!