53 Chevy rebuild

[smallfoot]

All of your build looks great! I also hope you don't have any more delays on the motor. I went thru much the same problem with a motor ordered thru Jegs last year. It took a year or more just to get a motor built. Their answer was no blocks available to build...huh? I'm not sure how many sbc motors were produced since their entry on the market but I find it hard to believe there are no blocks available!

[klink]

Originally Posted by smallfoot

All of your build looks great! I also hope you don't have any more delays on the motor. I went thru much the same problem with a motor ordered thru Jegs last year. It took a year or more just to get a motor built. Their answer was no blocks available to build...huh? I'm not sure how many sbc motors were produced since their entry on the market but I find it hard to believe there are no blocks available!

I ordered cross members for the SBC and 700r4 but didn't order the "kit" because they were back ordered; they didn't have the mounts... I ordered the mounts from Summit...

[Old Iron]

Originally Posted by smallfoot

I'm not sure how many sbc motors were produced since their entry on the market but I find it hard to believe there are no blocks available!

A friend, who owns a dirt modified) came by yesterday and picked up a 4 bolt main 350 block and mains. He said they are getting harder to find even the 2 bolts.
I can only imagine trying find enough blocks to mass produce rebuilds.

[klink]

Spent about 5 hours in the shop today. I got a lot done but it doesn't look like it. I removed the original trans and bell housing cross members; 22 rivets. My goal was to remove them without destroying them, just in case their needed in the future. Next up is the master cylinder. Should get that started this week...

[Bamamav]

Originally Posted by smallfoot

….Their answer was no blocks available to build...huh? I'm not sure how many sbc motors were produced since their entry on the market but I find it hard to believe there are no blocks available!

You have to remember, it’s probably been 20 years or longer since the last gen 1 small block Chevy was put in at the factory. Go to a junkyard, you’ll find some Gen 2 and a lot of LS engines, not to mention all kinds of 4 and 6 cylinders. The stuff we like is getting harder to find used. I have been sorta halfway looking for a late 90’s V8 Explorer or Crown Vic with the 5.0 302 roller cam motor, they are scarce as hen’s teeth around here anymore. I’d like to pick up a running, driving vehicle to strip for parts for the 82 F100 I have sitting in the woods, but all I’m finding are 4.6 mod motors, even if they have a motor. I spotted a big Mercury or Lincoln from the 70’s recently with a 460 in it, I may end up going that route if I can’t find a 302 .

[klink]

Originally Posted by Bamamav

You have to remember, it’s probably been 20 years or longer since the last gen 1 small block Chevy was put in at the factory.

There are plenty of companies making them though. For example Blueprint engines doesn't start with a rebuildable block. It's all new parts. There's plenty of sources for the parts, for examle, https://www.originengines.com/engines/5-7-liter

[lowbudget50]

Originally Posted by klink

There are plenty of companies making them though. For example Blueprint engines doesn't start with a rebuildable block. It's all new parts. There's plenty of sources for the parts, for examle, https://www.originengines.com/engines/5-7-liter

They told me on my 302 I waited 9 months for they couldn't find blocks. Hmmm

[smallfoot]

Well I suspect during the span of the last few years when scrap prices were high we lost more iron than I thought. Most of the scrap yards here that still had some vintage stuff scrapped all their stuff and closed down. We have a few left but it's very hard to find anything back in the 80s. Sorry state of affairs...

[klink]

Moved the '53 to the shop today. Pulled the rear out; more work than I was expecting... always is. Everything came apart fairly easy. This rear was completely rebuilt about 15 years ago, I only put about 3000 miles on it but I'll still pop the rear cover off and have a look. It's a little wet around the lowest cover bolt but no drips. It also has some blow by mist around the vent and again no drips.

[lowbudget50]

Clean looking truck!!