Well I'm happy to say that I'm finally opening up and tearing down my $100 360 that I picked up a few months back. So far it's not looking too bad. I have the top end off, #8 cylinder had some water sitting in it but the rust looks like it can be honed out. Combustion chambers and valves look good, no obvious damage on them or piston tops. So far so good, maybe I can find some time to look at the bottom end. The only problem I see coming is getting the balancer off the front of the crank to get the timing cover off.

 

Are you asking how to get the balancer off? Because if so, I think you're in over your hed rebuilding an engine. Just my $0.02

We'll all be happy to answer questions, but I think you should probably enlist the help of someone who's BTDT (and it worked afterward)

 

Um no I'm good, just stating what I'm doing.

 

what he means is that he thinks you don't understand how to get a balancer off.......like by using a balancer puller

 

No, I'm good but appreciate the advice. Actually took the bottom end apart last night. All looks pretty good except the #3 rod bearing seems to have disintegrated, which has scored the rod and the journal on the crank. I haven't had a chance to mic either one up yet to see just how much damage was done, but the rest of the crank, rods, and pistons look good. I'm hoping on the bottom end I can get away with some minor machining, oversized bearings, and some new rings. If I can keep the budget low without compromising durability on the bottom, I can spend a little more on top.