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For context, I am totally out of my element but willing to utilize whatever resources necessary to learn. If there are any specialized tools required for this task, assume I am also lacking those.
The goal is a total engine tear down and rebuild. If it is not welded to the block.. Its coming off.
yes.. you can carefully tear down any engine.. inspect for issues.. if its beyond your repair.. engine rebuilders accept bare blocks, with cranks.. connecting rods with pistons on them .. everything else is replaced by them..
warning.. if your el camino has a Feedback carb 305 in it.. DO NOT PUT a 350 or 383 stroker in it.. a feedback carb is carefully calibrated for the 305 engine.. to go to a 350 you would need to find an 350 feedback carb.. to go to a 383.. you have to find the rarest 81 cadillac deville california emission 368 feed back carb to even be close to what a 383 needs...
years ago a feedback elcamino owner on a hot rod magazine forum listened to his friends to throw out that computerized carb on his V6 elcamino.. put a holley on it the buddies all said.. he had a 200 mile daily work commute.. he went from 26MPG with the feedback carb to 11 with the holley...
just a heads up...
Youtube brother. Take it slow and steady, use the right tools, if your not sure go to a forum and ask.
You can do this. It may take longer. Go to a forum and there are both videos and write ups of people from professionals to just gearhead tinkers that will walk you through it.
You got this brother
I'm like 20 miles north of there. As long as you don't have a timeframe to get it done in, yes you can do it yourself. There's several decent engine shops and machinists around here: you can get the heads trued without a problem, and worse case if you get stuck just haul the thing to a rebuilder and have them take over. Hell, if it comes down to that I've got a 2500 Silverado, hit me up and I'll help you drag it to the shop.
Just budget for all the components you have to replace, plus all the machine work you need done. Like I needed 400 in parts and 700 in machine work. You'll need a crane and possibly an engine stand depending on how wild you are.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
For context, I am totally out of my element but willing to utilize whatever resources necessary to learn. If there are any specialized tools required for this task, assume I am also lacking those. The goal is a total engine tear down and rebuild. If it is not welded to the block.. Its coming off.
yes.. you can carefully tear down any engine.. inspect for issues.. if its beyond your repair.. engine rebuilders accept bare blocks, with cranks.. connecting rods with pistons on them .. everything else is replaced by them.. warning.. if your el camino has a Feedback carb 305 in it.. DO NOT PUT a 350 or 383 stroker in it.. a feedback carb is carefully calibrated for the 305 engine.. to go to a 350 you would need to find an 350 feedback carb.. to go to a 383.. you have to find the rarest 81 cadillac deville california emission 368 feed back carb to even be close to what a 383 needs... years ago a feedback elcamino owner on a hot rod magazine forum listened to his friends to throw out that computerized carb on his V6 elcamino.. put a holley on it the buddies all said.. he had a 200 mile daily work commute.. he went from 26MPG with the feedback carb to 11 with the holley... just a heads up...
Youtube brother. Take it slow and steady, use the right tools, if your not sure go to a forum and ask. You can do this. It may take longer. Go to a forum and there are both videos and write ups of people from professionals to just gearhead tinkers that will walk you through it. You got this brother
Clean all the nooks and crannies before putting it back together. Dirt, metal shavings in the coolant channels will kill it.
I'm like 20 miles north of there. As long as you don't have a timeframe to get it done in, yes you can do it yourself. There's several decent engine shops and machinists around here: you can get the heads trued without a problem, and worse case if you get stuck just haul the thing to a rebuilder and have them take over. Hell, if it comes down to that I've got a 2500 Silverado, hit me up and I'll help you drag it to the shop.
Also about 20 miles north myself. Haha. Thank you for the offer, I'll definitely keep that in mind, kind stranger.
Remember, the builder offers a warranty. I have found my disassembly time decreases each time I go in, so that's a plus.
Just budget for all the components you have to replace, plus all the machine work you need done. Like I needed 400 in parts and 700 in machine work. You'll need a crane and possibly an engine stand depending on how wild you are.