Topic: chevy 350 rebuild or not.

[Bazzi]

OK.
I have this 350 engine that has been sitting in my garage for over a year now. I am planing to swap it to the HiRunner. what I am thinking is.

I have the engine in an engine stand in my garage... I have opened the valve covers I have removed the oil pan. ewerything looks good and the prev owner told me that the engine is in tip top...

before reasembling and swapping what else should I check? I havenīt removed any bearings or nothing like that.  What should I look for.

[bigarms23]

just do a basic rebuild kit and throw it in

[Bazzi [OP]]

I was thinking....      just throwing it in there... is that a bad idea?

[topar]

I would rebuild first.  I just threw mine in and shortly after blew a head gasket.  Now I gotta tear mine apart.  I might just take it out and rebuild the whole motor  Better to do it once than twice like me. 

[Bazzi [OP]]

ok... I donīt mind removing the heads, checking it out changing the gaskets, but I am not cool with throwing in a rebuilding kit into an engine that I donīt know anything about. if I would know how to look for bad pistions or what ever....    or if I would had heard the engine running or something I would... I donīt know why I am not cool with replacinng just any parts....  just because I have the engine infront of me. Is it just me thatīs stupid?

[Huhwhye]

I'd at least pull a bearing cap or three.  Couldn't hurt, and that should give you a good indication of the overall condition.  If they look good I'd slap it in and run it.

[Hammerhead]

I just slapped mine in no prob but I got to hear it run before I bought it...

Checking the bearings is a good idea. 

A leak down test is also easy.

You also might throw the bellhousing and a starter on it to do a compression test on the floor.  This is an old hot rod trick I've used in the past.....