Common Engine Reassembly Mistakes
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Common Engine Reassembly Mistakes Alright so i'll be putting my 355 together here in a couple weeks. I was just wondering if there was any helpful tips or cautions you guys could give me. This is my first motor and i want it to last, and not fail due to a newbie assembly mistake.
keep everything extremely clean. Take your time, its a good idea to mark each colt after its torqued. use good assembly lube on bearings. coat cam and timing set, push rod ends ect. Also prime the oil pump.
If you're using a new crank (does not necessarily apply to reusing stock crank)
Make sure the crank is balanced, either internally or to match the flywheel/flexplate.
I just got burned on that. I trusted someone, and ended up with an extremely expensive
and running vibrator instead of a 400+rwhp motor.
Otherwise, use quality parts, double-check all fastners and gaskets and keep it clean.
A roll of shrinkwrap works well to keep everything clean when you finish working for the
day/week/session ...
Make sure the crank is balanced, either internally or to match the flywheel/flexplate.
I just got burned on that. I trusted someone, and ended up with an extremely expensive
and running vibrator instead of a 400+rwhp motor.
Otherwise, use quality parts, double-check all fastners and gaskets and keep it clean.
A roll of shrinkwrap works well to keep everything clean when you finish working for the
day/week/session ...
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
If you're using a new crank (does not necessarily apply to reusing stock crank)
Make sure the crank is balanced, either internally or to match the flywheel/flexplate.
I just got burned on that. I trusted someone, and ended up with an extremely expensive
and running vibrator instead of a 400+rwhp motor.
Otherwise, use quality parts, double-check all fastners and gaskets and keep it clean.
A roll of shrinkwrap works well to keep everything clean when you finish working for the
day/week/session ...
Make sure the crank is balanced, either internally or to match the flywheel/flexplate.
I just got burned on that. I trusted someone, and ended up with an extremely expensive
and running vibrator instead of a 400+rwhp motor.
Otherwise, use quality parts, double-check all fastners and gaskets and keep it clean.
A roll of shrinkwrap works well to keep everything clean when you finish working for the
day/week/session ...
ARP Main Studs, ARP Rod bolts, ARP Head Bolts, and Felt Pro Head Gaskets.
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Teching In
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Clean the block when you get it back from the machine shop. Don't assume the shop did a good job, because they never do. Double check all of your torque measurements and use the correct values for whatever you lube the fastener with. I prefer using moly lube that comes with the ARP fasteners.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: indy
After cleaning the block, use thread chasers to clean out all threads in the block that involve torque specs. Lightly oil the threads and clean the bolts/studs before torquing. You will get a much more accurate results.
check and make sure your dipstick tube lines up so that the dipstick will clear the windage tray. otherwise you will not beable to use a dipstick... like me
(but as soon as i get the motivation to pull the pan it will be all good.)
(but as soon as i get the motivation to pull the pan it will be all good.) 
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maryland
Make sure no parts are left over. haha. Like rod bearing 1/2 shells.
Resist the tempation to delete the stock windage tray.
(windage trays will help keep oil pressure steady).
Karl Ellwein
Resist the tempation to delete the stock windage tray.
(windage trays will help keep oil pressure steady).
Karl Ellwein
OH and here is the biggest miss....
when you start your motor for the first time and its running but theres no oil pressure?
then you start to think??? did I put in the oil pump drive shaft,,, duh
i'm lucky its hasn't happen to me, but I read some stories about other people who have forgoten...
when you start your motor for the first time and its running but theres no oil pressure?
then you start to think??? did I put in the oil pump drive shaft,,, duh
i'm lucky its hasn't happen to me, but I read some stories about other people who have forgoten...
