Send to Machine Shop or Refresh in House

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72DMag

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Hi so i scored a 2000 5.9 magnum for $100 with over 200k miles on it. Ran fine when taken out. Well I tore the engine completely apart and everything is way better than I expected!! I can easily see the cross section cuts on the cylinder walls.

I am dumping alot of money into the chasis of a 72 back half duster that i bought/finishing the build. The car will be a drag car. Should I just rebuild the bottom end in house and put all new bearings in it and hone it myself with a ball hone? Or with 200k should it go to a machine shop.

At the moment I was thinking about doing the bottom end myself and sending the heads to a machine shop so they can check and clean/replace anything. But wanted to get some advice with these magnum motors given the high mileage and that it will be drag raced if sending it to a machine shop is necessary?

Thanks in advance for any advice/input.
 
I have 2 of the 5.9s on the back burner at the moment.
1. Gets a set of rings and bearing and a regrind cam with new valve springs. I will redrill the heads to use an LA intake. Probably going in my 77 Tailduster. Total do it myself.

2. Gets bored .030 and internally neutral balanced, roller cam with ported LA heads. Plan is for it to go in one of the cars. Farm out machine work and final assemble it myself.

This is all future plans after I get a couple of 340s going. lol
 
Alright your dumping a lot of money into the chasis now build a power plant that is worthy of it..if you can assemble it yourself go for it,but have a QUALITY machine shop one you can TRUST do all the machining for you..stay away from that ball hone on a drill(that **** went out with Henry Ford)
 
72DMag said:
Hi so i scored a 2000 5.9 magnum for $100 with over 200k miles on it. Ran fine when taken out. Well I tore the engine completely apart and everything is way better than I expected!! I can easily see the cross section cuts on the cylinder walls.

I am dumping alot of money into the chasis of a 72 back half duster that i bought/finishing the build. The car will be a drag car. Should I just rebuild the bottom end in house and put all new bearings in it and hone it myself with a ball hone? Or with 200k should it go to a machine shop.

At the moment I was thinking about doing the bottom end myself and sending the heads to a machine shop so they can check and clean/replace anything. But wanted to get some advice with these magnum motors given the high mileage and that it will be drag raced if sending it to a machine shop is necessary?

Thanks in advance for any advice/input.
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Keep us updated.
I got a 360 to do the same thing.
What area of Pittsburgh are you in ?
 
No ridge at the top of the travel? Do you have a set of telescoping gauges? If the bores are all good and straight, round, I'd do it at home.
 
72DMag said:
At the moment I was thinking about doing the bottom end myself and sending the heads to a machine shop so they can check and clean/replace anything
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good plan. When you still can see the cross hatch there will be no ridge. Are you planning on reusing the pistons?
Find a competent machine that does speak Mopar and let them go through the heads. You could even do some mild porting yourself...
lot's of good advice on this forum.
 
Jadaharabi said:
I have 2 of the 5.9s on the back burner at the moment.
1. Gets a set of rings and bearing and a regrind cam with new valve springs. I will redrill the heads to use an LA intake. Probably going in my 77 Tailduster. Total do it myself.

2. Gets bored .030 and internally neutral balanced, roller cam with ported LA heads. Plan is for it to go in one of the cars. Farm out machine work and final assemble it myself.

This is all future plans after I get a couple of 340s going. lol
Click to expand...


Why LA heads on them? I would think mag heads would be a better option.
 
Clean , clean , clean everything . Check , check , every clearance . If you're building a track car do you want to skimp on a questionable bottom end ? You can hone a wall to .010" over and use o.s. rings . Or bore &hone for forged pistons . I guarantee stock pistons can't
take the stress of drag racing .
 
Just wanted to give everyone an update. Sorry I couldn't replay sooner as I have been out of state recently.

I am no longer going with the 360 for my car. I received a 400 motor from a friend dirt cheap. Only has 55k miles on it. I feel that will be better setup for my car. Eventually will go with a 451 because I have a forged 440 crank already.

Thanks everyone sorry but I have changed my mind with this project. I might build up the 360 and sell it down the road.
 
Better stroke that 400 they are"DOGS" otherwise..360 built right would be the much BETTER choice!!
 
I agree. I can't see the 451 not being better for a drag car. Plus I have no inner fender wells so making a big block fit isn't too hard. I'm not saying I couldn't get the 360 to perform as well as the 451 but the cost do so would be the problem. Also for a potential boost setup the 400 block is the best to use. imo.
 
Dogs just like 360’s.... until you massage them at least. Same fricken animal only 40 cubes larger.
 
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