 BUILDING
AN ENGINE FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Engine Builder Ben Smeding and Smeding Performance Offer
8 Tips On What NOT To Do When Building An Engine For Beginners
Rancho Cordova, CA (January 13, 2005)-Ever think building an engine
sounded like a fun project? Or seen someone do it and thought well if they
can do it, surely I can do it too? Ever considered building an engine for
yourself but worried that you would fall prey to the common mistakes, first
timers make? Have you ever wished there was a basic list of what NOT to do
when building an engine? Well, professional engine builders Smeding Machine
and Performance have created that list to help out all you first timers.
You May Not Know As Much As You Think You Do- “We’ve seen it happen
time and time again, says Ben Smeding, President of Smeding Performance.
“The average car guy hangs out with a professional and watches as they build
engines and says that’s easy of course I can do it myself. Well, that’s
often not the case. There are a lot of components that go into building a
great engine that aren’t noticeable to the untrained eye. First timers need
to remember to ask for help when they get stuck or need to let a
professional take care of it.
Don’t Assume It’s Correct- When building an engine, never assume that
all the components are correct even if they are matched. They need to be
checked for proper fit to ensure that your engine will work properly.
Don’t Re-invent The Wheel- Most engines have been around for quite
sometime so there is no reason to think out of the box when building your
standard engine. Do your research and get all the information you need and
go with that.
Go By the Manufacturer Suggestions, Not Your Neighbors- Unless you
live next store to Ben Smeding or Vic Edlebrock, don’t follow the advice of
your neighbors. Manufacturers give suggestions for a reason and to build the
best engine possible, please take these into consideration.
Reputation, Reputation, Reputation- When looking to buy the right
block for your project remember to take into account the reputation of where
you are considering buying it from. How they are known in the industry, in
the media or most importantly by their customers says a lot about the
quality of their product.
 Don’t
Just Pick The Machine Shop That Is The Closest- This again goes back to
the importance of reputation. Building an engine is an expensive proposition
and most people can’t afford to make a costly mistake. So, why be
lackadaisical with your machine shop and risk them making a mistake that
will cost you hundreds of dollars. Do your research and pick the best place
for the job. And don’t forget to always ask for a tour to see how they
operate and their work in progress.
Don’t Just Shop By Price- Everyone understands the importance of
having a budget when taking on a big project like building an engine, but
the old saying “you get what you pay for,” can really hold true. The
importance of getting the right parts and only doing things once will help
you stay within your budget, even if some of the parts cost a little more at
first then anticipated. After all if you have to buy the same part numerous
times in different sizes or types over and over you are sure to blow your
budget out of the water.
Stick To Your Decision-After doing your research, trust and believe
in the decision you have made. Never second guess yourself, since that can
only lead to uncompleted projects and mistakes being made. You made that
decision cause you knew it was the right choice so stick with it and always
remember to go to an expert if you have a question or need help.
About Smeding Performance
Smeding Performance specializes in building reliable, low-maintenance crate
engines for truck, car and marine applications. These engines are not
rebuilds: Smeding crate engines feature brand-new engine blocks and
brand-new premium components. For more information, contact Smeding
Performance, Dept., 3340 Sunrise Blvd. #E, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742,
916-638-0899,
www.smedingperformance.com. |
