Author Topic: Should I bore it?  (Read 6218 times)

Offline birdy411

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Should I bore it?
« on: February 05, 2011, 10:30:48 am »
Guys,

I have  a '79 Chevy Silverado C10 with an original 350. It has had a main knocking for the last 25,000 miles, but doesn't smoke a bit.....

I am wanting to rebuild it soon. Maybe beef it up a little, But keep the stock appearance.

I Wondered if I could rebuild it with Chrome Alloy rings and standard piston size WITHOUT BORING since there is not currently a problem with the rings.... 

I know it will depend on what I find once I get it apart, but also wondered what advice you guys could offer.
1978 Chevy K10 Scottsdale
1979 Chevy K10 Custom Deluxe
1980 Chevy K20 Scottsdale (Parts)
1978 Chevy C10 Silverado (Parts)

Offline bake74

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2011, 10:38:35 am »
     If you want to beef it up a little and keep it stock looking from the outside, bore it out some and put in a cam.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2011, 10:54:01 am »
bore it. I would consider some differant heads and cam and maybe some flat top pistons depending on what heads you end up using.at the same time

Offline birdy411

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2011, 11:04:23 am »
Well, maybe not beef it up that much,

I am probably going to keep the original heads.  I will probably do a better cam, though. and chrome alloy rings for sure.   

I wanted to make this block last the longest, and thought maybe it could do another run on standard bore, just didn't know if it was possible.

I'm also trying to save $$$ for sure...

this one will be a daily driver... nothing special, but i need it to get up and go when I want it to...and maybe when I pull things, too.

going to use the original rochester carb.

As you can probably tell, this will be my first rebuild.  Thanks for your replies, I will take your advice into consideration. 
1978 Chevy K10 Scottsdale
1979 Chevy K10 Custom Deluxe
1980 Chevy K20 Scottsdale (Parts)
1978 Chevy C10 Silverado (Parts)

Offline arcountryboy

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2011, 11:33:05 am »
depends one if it has a ring groove or not.  if it dont just hone it, if it does it will need to be bored.  I would imagine being orginal it will have a groove and need to be bored.  if it were mine I would bore it .30 over just to be safe.

Offline 86silverado

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2011, 01:16:38 pm »
If you are reusing the heads it would be a good idea to take them to a head shop and have them looked at before you put them back on, i would have them put in new valve guides and seals in then check each valve, then have it resurfaced, that shouldnt cost much depending on where you take them, thats something that should be done if you plan on rebuilding it.

Offline birdy411

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2011, 01:33:59 pm »
Yes, i plan to have the heads worked, I want to do it right for sure. Thanks 86Silverado
1978 Chevy K10 Scottsdale
1979 Chevy K10 Custom Deluxe
1980 Chevy K20 Scottsdale (Parts)
1978 Chevy C10 Silverado (Parts)

Offline birdy411

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2011, 01:36:35 pm »
thanks for answering my question arcountryboy. I will check for grooves. I bet you are right, even though it doesn't smoke, after 32 years and 125,000 miles, it probably will have grooves.
1978 Chevy K10 Scottsdale
1979 Chevy K10 Custom Deluxe
1980 Chevy K20 Scottsdale (Parts)
1978 Chevy C10 Silverado (Parts)

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2011, 01:54:25 pm »
Guys,

I have  a '79 Chevy Silverado C10 with an original 350. It has had a main knocking for the last 25,000 miles, but doesn't smoke a bit.....

How do you know it's a main bearing knock?
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Da67goatman

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2011, 03:13:55 pm »
I just rebuilt a 350 from a 91 with 178k on it, looked brand new, honed it and put in standard rings and bearing.  Why waste money on having something bored when you don't have too.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior

Offline rsandusky

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Re: Should I bore it?
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2011, 01:01:22 pm »
I agree it will depend on the ring ridge in the block.

I just rebuilt a 350 from a 91 with 178k on it, looked brand new, honed it and put in standard rings and bearing.  Why waste money on having something bored when you don't have too.

The reason for this is that the 91 is fuel injected. With fuel injection the fuel doesn't wash the cylinder walls when u let off the gas like it does with a carburetor. ;)