I'll do stock type rebuilds myself, well guess more like freshening up. Bearings, rings, gaskets, etc... when it comes time to build up, go with aftermarket parts(big money stuff) I let someone with alot more experience do it. Obviously you have to know what your doing, be able to read calipers and such, have all the equipment, etc...

If it's the first one, give it a shot. You might end up enjoying it.

If you enjoy hands on learning, you'll probably like it.

The worst that could happen is it becomes a tedious science project. If so, finish it up and don't do any more.

This is an excellent type of build to learn on. No radical cam with valve train issues,no piston to head issues,no oil system issues. Read everything,ask questions when your stuck. You will need a torque wrench,dial indicator,and a degree wheel. Measure everything. You may not need to know every measurement,but you should learn how to make them. Find someone local who has done it before to guide you. Every one of us who has built a engine had a 1st time just like you. Where in Ontario are you?
Doug

i think i am going to give it a shot. i am going to buy the books like i said and do the research before i start. I also have a LA 360 i can take apart first if i want just for practice. Sounds like the only tool i am missing is a degree wheel, but i could most likely borrow one or just buy one and have it for next time. I know how to measure and fit stuff from work so i think i am fine with that, and i know i will learn alot about how engines work after doing this. THe build i want to do is just a cam and pistons, with a good valve job and intake. Is there any other books i should be looking at other than the Larry shepard books on the magnum motors? I am located the st.thomas/london area on Ontario.

You might get a digital camera & take(many) pics both for your reference & to post them here if you get in a jam. This has saved my bacon many times as I do not have the photographic memory that I would like to think that I do.

I think I would try it myself ..I paid a machine shop almost 3600 to do my motor..ran good but never ran right when I took it apart the timeing chain looked to be worn out got a new chain almost 90.00 more dollars looks the same so now I am going to either use a tens. or gear drive...now when I say 3600 here is what they did..clean and check block,bore block,alain hone,cam bearing,freeze plugs,val job on heads,flow head,new rings,new bearing,new cam,oiland filter,install 3 heli coil,and degree cam,oh new timing chain,disassemble 1 motor,press 8 pistons on new rods I supplied rods,,picked it up was told no warr. its yours I dont own a machine shop or anything like that but 3600..now I plan to build it myself this time...did a 6 in a ford van and a318 in the duster years ago felt so good to know I had my hands on it and it is still running today....

My ....

I would say if this is a stocker rebuild with a touch bigger camshaft and no file-fit piston rings ... just put it together yourself - not to worry.

Now if you have to massage the pistons and cyl head combustion chambers ....THAT would be over most people's head here.

And that includes me !

I vote that you build it yourself. Here are some reasons
1.Great way to learn. Take your time, get some books, use resources like Moparts to ask questions.
2.Building your own motor gives you a sense of pride. Plus you'll have a better understanding of how your car works. This will allow you or give you confidence to do other work like maintanence, and eventually up the ladder to harder stuff like rearends and transmissions.
3.Fact is once, you do it yourself, you will know what it involves and if, in the future, you are willing to pay someone else to do it. Do it once in your life to know what to expect of yourself or others if you choose them to do it for you. (IE:what's it worth for someone else to do it). Hard to get ripped off when you have done it yourself and know what is involved.
4.There is probably a cost savings, maybe not so much on your first engine, but why not buy the tools and have them for life. Every guy likes hanging specialty tools on the pegboard..Its macho!.
5.You may make mistakes, but as long as you don't make the same mistakes over again, you will be fine. Life will always be another new "first" don't be intimidated. Sure there is a time and a place for you to farm out that big race motor or stroker motor. Sometimes there is good insurance in knowing a pro is building it. But plenty of guys here will say the pros do it right and just as many times we hear of silly "my machinist did this to me" stories. So it all is circular in the end.

I am gonna get some books off amazon today and start reading lot. I am gonna wait till the weather gets warmer to start disassembley so i am not fighting surface rust as much. I have a good camera so i will take alot of pics. I guess i wont know what it needs untill i open it up. I know i will most likely have cracked heads. I will most likely get EQ's if the stock ones are cracked. I am not looking to cut corners doing it myself but i think it would be alot better to do some of the work myself and take the labour cost savings to invest in tools needed for the job like you guys have said. I know this will not be the last motor i build if i enjoy it. I will also learn alot. I do have some car mechanic friends i could go to if i need help. Sounds like the first step is to take everything apart and send the heads to get checked and the block cleaned and checked and go from there.

Go for it...

Don't expect to save money
Don't be put off by delays
Don't get frustrated when you make a mistake
Don't hesitate to call some machine shops/engine builders for advice

You will come out of this process knowing exponentially more than you do right now.

My
Ken

What Ken said!!!!!!
Oh, here is a shot of my second valve job, just completed it a week ago on my ratty old 906 heads. .001 clearance on all guides, so I am running them. New springs, valves, seals and a fresh cut on the seat. Total cost.........$135.00

I built my first 340 in the living room of the trailer I was living in during 1975.
That engine took me to Montana and back in 1976 in my '72 Duster and it was still running strong when I sold the car in 1980.
Building an engine is really easy. There's nothing magical about it.
Just take your time, and make sure everything is clean. And, don't be afraid to ask questions.
Plus, when you hear that engine light for the first time after building it yourself, it is a great feeling.

When you tear down the old motor, don't just disassemble. Measure things! What is the crank end play, the compression height of the pistons, how do the bearings look, note any worn threads, etc.
When I build a motor, I always knock down all the sharp edges except the necessary ones before final cleaning. Makes assembly much easier on the hands.
Get a set of engine brushes for your clean up. Set up a clean space to assemble, and make sure you have all the tools and lubes handy. Build a checklist and follow it!

http://www.themotorbookstore.com/engine-blueprinting.html

http://www.thewarfields.com/HotRodBlogEngineAssy1.htm

http://www.wegnerautomotive2.com/SPEC_ENGINE/Spec%20Engine%20Assembly%20Check%20List.pdf

and many others


http://engineswaponline.com/joomla/discuss-swaps/94.html

I give you my 1st step on reassembly. Make sure the cam fits first. If the cam bearings are tight and you have to scape them its best to do it with a dry clean unoiled block so the scrapings can be blown out with air. The book won't tell you this.
Good luck,go for it.
Doug