Build Your First Engine

The Machine ShopTry to get a recommendation for a machine shop. Not all are created equal, and it will benefit you to find a shop that has approachable staff. For instance, it's common for certain specifications to be altered in order to recondition the used parts-cylinders are over-bored, crank journals are undercut, and so on. For this reason, you shouldn't order your new parts until the machinist gives you the word. The shop will determine what overbore you should go with and whether or not the crank has to be undercut, and by how much. This is particularly important if you're unsure about the history of your core-it may have been rebuilt once already.

Once the guys at the shop have verified that your parts are good and taken the initial measurements, have them alert you so you can order parts, unless you want them to do it for you. The machinist will want the pistons prior to performing the final hone, so order the stuff promptly. When you receive the parts after the work is done, the shop should give you a rundown of everything that was done, along with the specs for the areas that were resized.

Back at the RanchOnce your parts are back in your possession, and you're preparing to start assembling, make sure that you first clean all the parts thoroughly since the machining process will leave metal shavings behind.

We've outlined the reassembly steps in detail in the photo captions, but remember that this is general information, so you really should have some good printed reference material on hand that is specific for your application to provide specifications and procedural guidance. Take your time, and seek advice when you have questions or doubts. When it's all together, make sure to pre-lube, follow the cam break-in specs (for flat-tappet cams), and resist the urge to wring the new engine out until you get a few miles on it. If you did it right, you should be set for many miles to come.

Ford 302: Engine SpecificationsNote: These are the specs for our 5.0L engine, with the parts we selected. Always verify specifications for engine-building, especially when using aftermarket upgrades

By Ed Taylor

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