Rebuild material opinions

Alright so since I was doing my balance shaft eliminator kit last night I figured i would check the play in the crankshaft just to make sure I wasnt crankwalking....Thank god I checked it....there was soo much play in that thing that it was ridiculous...the bearings had some really bad wear marks on them...so now I am going to be replacing some things inside the block and head and what not...I know I need some new rod bearing and main bearings...what would you guys suggest on those...I was looking at the Clevite bearings I have heard good things in the past about them...I also plan on replacing all my valve seals and all the other seals that need to be replaced, new piston rings, head studs, rod bolts, main bolts, and all the gaskets obviously...any other suggestions on what to replace while I am doing all this???

Clevite bearings are good. I think I went with Eagle bearings on my motor.

Any rod bolts, head studs that stuff go with ARP. Can't get any better than that

You could go a long way by replacing your oil pump, and water pump. Since you are going for a full rebuild those are two things that you should definately replace if you want to get the full life out of your rebuilt motor.

For gaskets, OEM For intake and exhaust manifold. And i would recommend an MLS head gasket. Some people may argue that fact, but my motor is built to handle about 600 ponies and it uses an MLS.

Good idea with the water pump and oil pump...screw doing those while in the car....I was just going to do the oem head gasket...I dont plan on going over 350hp.....I think the stock one can handle that...maybe I am wrong...and I am definatly going with ARP everything bolts...lol

Sounds to me like you got set up perfect for a 6 bolt swap ;). If you have the time and the green to do a 6 bolt swap I would strongly recommend it, but <350 should be fine on a 7 bolt.

I would go Clevite bearings all the way, I've actually never heard of anyone recommending anything but them (unless you count Definancy's above post). Doing a full T belt job would be good as well. I would either get a micrometer (or borrow one), a straight edge, and a feeler guage and check all your clearances then have what needs to be machined done. Thats what I am going to be doing for my rebuild. You could just pay a machinist to do it, but I dont trust anyone but myself. IMO a gasket it a gasket. If you check on ebay you can get a full gasket set for like $60 shipped I think thats the way I will go. Go ARP on rod and head bolts but go stock for mains. I've actually heard bad things about ARP mains unless you are running lots and lots of horsepower. If you do it yourself, just make sure you assembly lube everything and check, double check, and triple check clearances and be sure you have a quality torque wrench. I'm looking forward to my rebuild, it is going to be nice to start completely fresh. A nice, pretty black engine, cleaned up engine bay missing all the cluttersome shit like cruise control and emissions, shiney IC pipes and downpipe, and the mean growl of FP2's. Mmmmmmm, I am sooo fucking excited to get that beast done! Oh yeah, if you want cams now is a good time to do them.

Sounds to me like you got set up perfect for a 6 bolt swap ;). If you have the time and the green to do a 6 bolt swap I would strongly recommend it, but <350 should be fine on a 7 bolt.

I would go Clevite bearings all the way, I've actually never heard of anyone recommending anything but them (unless you count Definancy's above post). Doing a full T belt job would be good as well. I would either get a micrometer (or borrow one), a straight edge, and a feeler guage and check all your clearances then have what needs to be machined done. Thats what I am going to be doing for my rebuild. You could just pay a machinist to do it, but I dont trust anyone but myself. IMO a gasket it a gasket. If you check on ebay you can get a full gasket set for like $60 shipped I think thats the way I will go. Go ARP on rod and head bolts but go stock for mains. I've actually heard bad things about ARP mains unless you are running lots and lots of horsepower. If you do it yourself, just make sure you assembly lube everything and check, double check, and triple check clearances and be sure you have a quality torque wrench. I'm looking forward to my rebuild, it is going to be nice to start completely fresh. A nice, pretty black engine, cleaned up engine bay missing all the cluttersome shit like cruise control and emissions, shiney IC pipes and downpipe, and the mean growl of FP2's. Mmmmmmm, I am sooo fucking excited to get that beast done! Oh yeah, if you want cams now is a good time to do them.


Well I didn't exactly recommend them, just said that is what my motor was built with. To my knowledge they are both about the same quality though.

I agree with you. Get a 6-bolt block and build it up. You can get one for 250 dollars or less and you don't really have to worry about crankwalk ever again.

I would love to do a 6 bolt swap...but at this point its not really an option...but I plan on buying a 6 bolt later on and just build the crap out of it on the engine stand that way I dont have to give up my car for a long time again...

Go ARP on rod and head bolts but go stock for mains. I've actually heard bad things about ARP mains unless you are running lots and lots of horsepower.

Has anyone else heard this about ARP main bolts?

Its not that they are bad, just uneeded and IIRC they tend to wiggle loose or something. Thats why they were only recommened for racers who will have their engines apart every now and again. Thats just if I remember right though.

Has anyone else heard this about ARP main bolts?

Where's Kevin when you need him?

These guys pretty much covered everything. Clevite bearings are the best IMO, and an oil pump/water pump would be a good idea. Since you are pulling out the pistons, get them babies cleaned up. Nothing makes an engine run smoother than all clean parts. Maybe have the block honed too just to take another step towards a complete rebuild. What rings are you going with? I suggest nothing but Hastings. Excellent rings IMO, I've never done business with anyone except them concerning piston rings.

Heres the thread (http://www.dsmstyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13427&page=2&highlight=main+studs) I read on mains, I am far too tired to make any goddamn sense of it now but I hope it helps anyway.