Hey, is it practical to attempt a re-ring in my garage? 318cu. Basic tools and knowledge. Not affraid to try though.

I did it. But you need more than basic tools. Engine hoist/cherry picker, torq wrench, cylinder hone/deglazer, piston ring compressor. Then while you're at it you'll want a decent valve spring comrpessor to do the heads.

Also, see my response in your other thread.

Thanks, I don't think I'll be doing the re-ring then. I did buy a valve spring compressor and was going to replace seals tomorrow. Then put it back together and try some seafoam later on to clean the inside out. I don't think the rings are to badly worn anyway. Can you think of anthing else I can do myself while I'm in there?

Oh yeah, it can be done with the tools listed above. I rebuilt mine in my Dads garage, only working on it a few hours a night during the week and on weekends. Rebuilt my own transmission too.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfaXG676Ebg

Heck yea you should do it. No better way to learn. We all started the same way, in our garage at home. Well I got my first taste at work, but it wasn't long till I was buying tools to do it at home. 29 years later and scores of motors later, it was worth it. saved myself a bunch of money too.

Heck yeah!

Don't be afraid of a few specialty tools that aren't all that expensive!

I started out doing a wore out 318 that really should've been bored but worked anyway. Had lots of fun beating on it for not much $$$.

I've since come across 2 really nice 440's that only needed a re-ring and bearing kits to be perfect again. I've done everything save for the valve job/hot tank/resurfacing in my garage.

It's a great learning experience!

I think you could do a basic rering on your own as a novice. But for my 2cents you would be better off finding a dirt cheap 383 and go from there. Everyone has them laying aroung and they can be had around here for a couple hundred bucks fairly complete. Sounds like you are a beginner. I would pick up a nicely used 383 and rebuild it a peice at a time in the garage, then swap them out when you are done. Or if you prefer, rering the 383 and swap it out. Point is, for about the same money (less the price of the motor) you will have a bunch more cubic inches for the same money.

pop the oil pan, remove intake and heads (probably the hardest thing of all) remove rod caps one at a time and use the wooden handle of a hammer to push the piston out. break glaze with a honer (ballz or stones) wipe clean, rering and drop 'em in with a compressor and rubber tubing over the rod bolts so as to not scratch the crank. check bearings while you are down there, cheap insurance. Torque them down, replace top end and break in per manufacturer. Solid 3 night job and your nails will be dirty for a while. Impact gun is [Edited by Moparts - Family Friendly Site - Keep it clean] for breaking head and rod bolts, will cut 1 hour off your time and lots of sweat. I did a crank too without even removing the trans or heads(auto), trick is to remove spark plugs...