Things you wish you knew before starting your first rebuild

[Bling]

I assumed it was always BHG?

[MAGN1T]

I assumed it was always BHG?

That's not the cause, that's the end result of something else that's wrong.

A BHG is caused either by corrosion or detonation or bad workmanship (removing too much from the head face). Corrosion is caused by not using antifreeze or not changing it often enough. Detonation is caused by a bad tune or cheap gas.

Steve

[Flannelman]

When building a new engine...
Dont use the engine in the car! Buy one from a wreak and do that one up. This way your car stays on the road, motivation stays high and there is no rush get it built which leads too...

When you are building your own engine NEVER RUSH!! Simple mistakes can and do happen, so recheck everything at least once. Leaving one nut or bolt loose can be the death to your creation...

Before you build, be sure you have everything you need to complete the build. The longer an engine says open while you are assembling, the longer the opportunity for foreign matter to get in there and cause premature wear.

Research!! Ask as many people about what combo of parts to use to get the results you want. Dont be shy in asking, the worst you will get is a "not telling". The more people you ask, the more you learn about what you are getting your self into by cost of parts, what to change and why and what will give you trouble.

The biggest thing should be the first. When you are building, deside what your intended use is. If you want an 8 second 1/4 mile monster, then it has to go in a car for that purpose too. If you want something that will deliver respectable laptimes at the track, yet still be drivable to work will require more thought in part selection to get what you want out of it.

And as a good point of reference, do a before and after dyno. This will give a measured result, as the difference is what you paid for or give you a grin as it is what your creation can do.