Thread: V8 stripdown

0.030 over doesn't leave much left. Probably has one rebore left unless you stick liners in and come back to a standard bore working on 0.040 over is a general limit.

Might be able to get away with a light hone and new set of rings. You'd have to measure the bores for difference. Looks about normal though for a motor that has seen some work.

'choofing'..... Could be a lifter not working, ie. priming up and pumping properly or locked up solid so the valves are opening not enough or too far, sticky valve or as you mention head gasket but would normally show on piston crowns with markings of water. From what I have seen is a white powder but they look pretty dry to me.

Front of right hand bank looks a little like rust... as though it could have been leaking under the gasket. Looks a different colour to the other cylinder rims like it wasn't sealing though the piston crown looks similar to the others so maybe not.

Is there something about the cam that warrants it's change ?

Just me but if I were taking the head(s) of an old motor for any reason then would probably undo and knock the pistons out as well, mostly 'cos I hate doing things more than once. You're well over half way now and you want to change the cam anyway so I'd keep going. If the gudgeons are still good then could get away with light hone of the bores, new cam bearings and cam, new rings on the old pistons, new bottom end bearings, clean the heads up with new guide rubbers and cut the valves in before bolting it all back up. I'd guess $800 all tolled incl. machining which to me is a cheap engine.

If the gudgeons are loose along with the measurements of the bores, new pistons and gudgeons on the old con rods would also be acceptable. Pistons will cost a bit though I think.

There's quite a few options open to you, choosing the right one will be your budget and aspirations of the motor as to which one that is rather than what someone else believes.