ruddyhair;135165 wrote
Called the machinist and he said doesn't balance most engines, but said he could send it out to be done if needed. He didn't think it would be required with what I was wanting (need your opinion here). He also said he would want to reuse things like push rods and whatnot. But new pistons for sure. Don't know what to think about this, but he said he would machine, build it back to stock and assemble but would add a cam if I wanted for $1950 plus cost of cam. He wanted me to remove the flywheel and harmonic balance before bringing it in. Not sure what to take off and what to bring in to balance the motor if that's what you think is needed.
Jonathan
Don't use this machinist. I have every engine I build balanced. A so-so balance is OK for a factory built/remanufactured engine, but anything built for performance and longevity should be balanced more precisely. My machinist balances down to .5 gram (31.1 grams in an ounce). I'm not sure where you live, but there must be an AMC club in your area. Someone there would be able to suggest a shop.
I had a 360 in my 77 CJ7. Bottom end was bone stock. I rebuilt it with the crank cut .010/.010 and had it balanced. New rings on stock pistons, stock bore (cylinder taper was within spec when I got the engine). I ran an Edelbrock Performer manifold and Performer cam. Heads were early 090 castings with individual rockers. I had them mildly polished and ported. I ran Crane roller rockers with .100" longer than stock pushrods. Mallory Unilite ignition and Howell throttle body fuel injection. Behind it was a T-18/Dana 300 combo with 4.27 gears in custom Dana 44 axles. Gave me about a 72:1 crawl ratio in low/low. It would sit and spin all 4 tires at idle if it couldn't find traction. Great rock crawler.
Your build sounds good. I also ran stock manifolds and a full 3" single exhaust w/high flow cat (emissions here). Patriot does make shorty headers if you want to spend the money. Keep your carb to vacuum secondaries, 600 CFM is plenty. The small hole cam bearings can't hurt, I used them for the first time in my last 390 build (I haven't started it yet but seem to have good oil flow/pressure with the priming pump).
Bob
tufcj
