I have been gone for about a year, and my daily driver is now an sr20de 200sx se-R.

I need rear drive back, so that is why I am asking opinions on what I should do.

Budget is limited, so that is why I am considering my first engine build. Here is what I have

82 T/A
350 4 bolt bored .030 to 355
custom headers, 3 in stainless with dual out flomaster.
rebuild 700r4
edelbrock rpm air gap intake (new)
edelbrock 750 avs, or performer carb (new) not sure which one, don't remember
msd 6a-l
msd billet distributer
msd blaster 2 coil
194 heads
borg warner 9 bolt w/3.45
pbr's
alston sfc's
tds wonderbar
kyb gr2's

okay, I included everything, and I have done it all myself, minus the tranny rebuild, that was too much for me.

what I need to know is if I should try to do my first engine rebuld. I have blown the rings, and it has really bad blow by, with oil seeping out of the breather, and the pcv valve.

Again, budget is very limited, I can save for a shop to do the rebuild, but I really don't want to. maybe finances, or just a general distrust for engine shops. anyway, should I embark on my first engine rebuild? I am taking it to a friend and his g-pa, who have rebuild engines many times, and are willing to invest all the time I need. They have any tool I would want to support the job, but I need to know if downtime+labor+my own inexperience, is cheaper than what a shop would charge me for the same job.

This is another buy or build thread, I know, but this is somewhat more personalized, because it deals with me. Mainly I just don't want to screw it up. Realistically $3000 is too much for me to chunk down for a built block.

I can always get a short block from engine traders for about 475 for a 4 bolt, and I can do the rest my self. Would it be best to do this my self, though? I want to do certain things, build a crank scraper, and other building tricks.

Would a crank scraper be enough to justify my own engine build?

I figure that the money I could spend on shop fee's, could be spent on better parts, too. Please give me a realistic view on this.

My head may be in the clouds, and I need to get grounded before I pull anything, or put down any money on kits, or parts.

speaking of which, how does that summit kit hold up. It is about $150, so would that be worth it, or should I build my own kit.

I really don't know, since this is my first 350 needing rebuild. I have very good connections to scrap yards around here, so I could always get a 350 out of a pickup or something, and just throw it in there for the mean while.

any info is appreciated.

Thanks, Jay

 

We all started somewhere. I started on SBF (Windsor) engines, so it's really a wonder I can keep anything straight. If you have an offer of technical and equipment support, you might want to consider taking advantage of it, provided you have the time. You can expect further support at your favorite technical site, too.