how hard is a 3v rebuild

2k5stang · 01-18-2008

I been debating on rebuild kit, shortblock, or longblock, I'm worried i tear the whole thing down and can't figure out how to syncronize the cams or how the CVT works. I am dumping the procharger and getting a twin turbo but want a fully forged inside. I actually work in a do it yourself hobby shop so i have plenty of tools. I know there are a few i have to order like the valve spring compressor. I tried to do a search on a teardown and all but i have been unable to find one. I ordered the haynes manual and i have the Ondemand computer program to help me. The rebuildkit is the cheapest and the preferred way i want to go... Any help would be great!!

**stlwagon** · 01-18-2008

I had mine stroked to 298. Not something that I was prepared to do myself.

5twenty · 01-18-2008

Same here as stlwagon. I feel comfortable doing just about any mechanical work on my car. But I'll leave the engine building and timing to the experts.

tached_out · 01-18-2008

You ran 125 shot on top of a Procharger on a stock block. Wow lucky it didnt blow.

I would just buy a new block and put in a 5.4 with the turbo system. If your going to go big might as well go big

kj_cinci · 01-18-2008

My feeling was that I'd rather pay a bit more and have it all installed by professionals... I paid for it but I know it's all hand weighted and balanced, all clearances are perfect fo my use (high power daily driver street car...)

**stlwagon** · 01-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kj_cinci

My feeling was that I'd rather pay a bit more and have it all installed by professionals... I paid for it but I know it's all hand weighted and balanced, all clearances are perfect fo my use (high power daily driver street car...)

+1... I'm no expert when it comes to the inside of an engine. I would have zero confidence in my own work.

2k5stang · 01-19-2008

Can we please keep this more towards tips on how to do the installation, not on paying a professional to do it. I live in hickville and nobody will touch the 3V, I have already thought of this and the long block is expensive and my last resort. Others that might be looking for the same help and rather see tips too not everybodys opinion on who should build it. (Seems like most replies are just to make peoples post #'s bigger and useless info)

5twenty · 01-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2k5stang

Can we please keep this more towards tips on how to do the installation, not on paying a professional to do it. I live in hickville and nobody will touch the 3V, I have already thought of this and the long block is expensive and my last resort. Others that might be looking for the same help and rather see tips too not everybodys opinion on who should build it. (Seems like most replies are just to make peoples post #'s bigger and useless info)

Not one poster in this thread made any recommendation concerning whom should build your motor. The forum members who responded to you are extremely respected members of this forum and don't not make posts just increase their post numbers. They make them because they are knowedgeable and experienced in the subjects upon which they post. Not one post in this thread has "useless info". Unlike many other forums, the info you get here is 99% quality information. In this thread the info is 100% quality info.

You were given solid advice from every poster in this thread. If you need tips on how to build a 3V motor you should not be doing it. I also live in Hickville. Nobody in the state that I trusted would touch a 3V motor. But you can have your motor shipped to anywhere. I had mine built by a qualified motor builder and shipped to my front door.

Yes, it is more expensive than building it yourself. But if you don't know how to build a motor, and it seems like you don't, then it will be way more expensive when you motor blows up because you made a rookie mistake than to have a qualified professional build it for you. If you cannot afford this service then it doesn't sound to me like you can afford a new motor at this time. And if you plan on building a motor for the very first time from a Haynes manual, well, good luck with that.

You said a long block was your last resort. My recommendation would to be to select that option. However, if you truly need tips on building an engine I would recommend narrowing down the topic, such as; "How To Hone a Cylinder", "How to Install a Timing Kit", etc. A "How to Build an Engine" thread will not get you far because the subject is much too broad to get a quality response.

2k5stang · 01-19-2008

I'm not trying to start a arguement with you.... I just hate going in all these threads and looking at 5 pages of comments of other stuff not related to the main topic, I just want tips and advice on the rebuild and any experience, I was not born with this knowledge of the exact working of the 3v heads and I don't believe anybody else was either but there is only one way to learn about it and that's whatt I'm doing... So I'm not really concerned with waht you think my knowledge of a motor is and that's not with this topic about nor is it a arguement with you, I'm asking for past experience on rebuilding the 3v engine and what tips and tricks they had cause i already did a search on the forums for this...

Sending my engine to a shop is not what i'm asking here, I didn't mean to offend anybody I just want to keep this on topic and not find out who the best engine builder is or who i can send it too...

**stlwagon** · 01-19-2008

I don't think you're going to find anyone on here who's personally built a 3V.

ducfoot · 01-19-2008

There isn't much out there, this may or may not be better than a Haynes manual.
I machined and built a few engines years ago but I too have some studying to do on the 4.6.
eBay Motors: How to rebuild the ford 4.6 engine Mustang GT Cobra DVD (item 180179924697 end time Feb-11-08 05:56:25 PST)

kj_cinci · 01-19-2008

We're talking a high tech engine here. Compairably new on the market. Injected, variable timing, 3 frigging valves, not two, not four, tight clearances, and then, I'm guessing, you want it to hold up for some 600 to 1000 HP...

It can't be done, we can't! When I said way back when I'm building an engine I said so meaning I'm having one built. I'd love to try but can't afford $2,000 in internals, maybe another block (1,500), maybe another set of heads($3,000), and maybe a new blower ($4,000), plus whatever structural/vehicle thing I take out when it blows and I go sideways in my own oil....

Not trying to be a jerk, not telling you to have one built through shipping (like most of us did.) What I did was send a block to my builder, tell him what I wanted in there and what clearances and he built it, expertedly so!

You can get a balanced rotating asembly from many places, drop it in your block, in your car, put some oil in and see if it starts. It probably will... it may even run... but for the $$ differance why take that chance?

I understand you wanna do it yourself. But even if FRPP let you in their Cammer shop to build your own motor you could not do it! There is a lot of knowledge of course but what you can't learn is experience and what some experienced builders lack, the art of building an engine...

I wish you luck! Sorry I trid to help. Back on topic;

Building a 3v is very hard, to build a good one you need tools, a shop, lotsa know how, experience and 'the eye'!!

**stlwagon** · 01-19-2008

Don't hold back now KJ. Tell us what you really feel

kj_cinci · 01-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlwagon

Don't hold back now KJ. Tell us what you really feel

Sorry...

Hey man, log on to Summit, buy a Cobra crank, some bearings, some $800 rods, $600 pistons, file-to-size-rings (you do have a file don't you?), ARP hardware, and have at it!

It's not about the size of the part or the hole but the size of the hammer or shim!!

Good luck!!

I am sorry, the whole concept is off to me... does not make sense... oh well to all his or her own.... seriously 2K5; good luck and keep us posted...

tached_out · 01-19-2008

I have no comment.