I am getting the itch

[Cudajason]

Hey folks,

After a summer of just enjoying driving my car and not really working on it, except for that one small issue , I am getting the itch to tweak something, that continual quest to build the perfect car. 

The overheating issue had me thinking about doing a Gen # hemi swap, but after a long drive today, I am not so sure.

Man I love the driving my car and the old school feeling.  It was all just working today, not perfect, but worked.

Complicating it for me is two things:

1 - I built the engine in high school and its always a fun story to tell about the car.

2 -its a virgin block. There was no wear in the cylinders back in the day so I honed it, new rings and stock pistons.

Based on how its been running since my little issue, I really do not think its hurt.

I do have the itch to improve it, so I am really wondering if I pull the engine for a re-fresh, nothing crazy, maybe bore it out, if needed (I am sure it will at this point) new flat top pistons, use the crank and rods, new rings bearings etc.

The cam is only a few years old.  I could reuse it.  I would consider a new roller cam, but not sure how much work that is to run in an LA block.

I think the biggest benefit will be hot tanking the block and cleaning out all the crud in the water jackets.  I still get all kinds of crap in the rad.

I also think new gaskets would sovle all the weeping and little leaks.

I would look at spending some coin on new heads. Mine are 1980 smogers, I think I could gain the most from improving those.

In realty, I don't need a 500hp stroker, just enough to spin the tires every now and again and cruise the 2 lane black top.

I am leaning back toward keeping this old school at this point.

ahh decisions decisions.  Of course I may not do anythgin over the winter, but man I have the itch.

thanks for lettign me ramble.

[RUNCHARGER]

First thing I would do is a compression test on all 8 cylinders and that will help you make a decision going forward. Keeping the current cam and lifters will certainly save a bunch of drama these days. I also agree on heads being a big part of any new plan.

[pschlosser]

and blueprinting one more time.  Get those pistons and connecting rods balanced!  Keeping more of the bottom end, and replacing gaskets, will save time AND money.

[PLUM72]

Only you can decide what to do.  I got a bit bored with my small block Challenger, so I am in the middle of a Gen3 swap.  Its a heavy lift finacially, so if you head that route make sure you can do it.  Gen3 or not, big projects cost $$.  I was always a big fan of building things on paper as a first step.  Research and line up the parts you want to use and the costs associated to the project.  Add it all up big stuff down to the last bolt and AN fitting.  You learn alot and can make better decisions doing this.

While my swap is going slowly, just not enough time to work on it.  The whole thing has been alot of fun.  For me its more about the project than the end result.

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree to do a compression test first so you know what you have to start with .
How many miles have you driven it since high school , you may not need to bore it at all .
 If you decide to rebuild it again I would do a stroker kit probably the same cost as buying the parts to rebuild it anyway , I would get it internally balanced too .
 Not a lot of good choices for small block heads But the Trick Flow 190s are supposed to be available in Nov which would be my #1 choice .