I AM LOST

[SOTVEN]

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT ENGINES LATELY FOR MY FUTURE ENGINE TRANNY SWAP ON MY M. WHAT IS THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN A "LONG BLOCK" AND A "SHORT BLOCK"? IS THERE ACTUAL DIMENTION DIFFERANCE OR IS IT JUST A TERM THAT DESCRIBES SOMETHING THAT I AM MISSING:?: THANK YOU ALL.

[rixm37]

Hey Sotven


Short Block
A short block consists of the block, which contains the following major internal engine components: a crank, connecting rods, pistons, and a cam (except in overhead cam engines).



Long Block
A long block is a short block plus the head or heads bolted onto the short block.



Hope this helps

[SOTVEN]

OK, NOW THIS MAKES SENSE!!! WHOULD THE HEADS OLSO CONTAIN VALVES. LIFTERS AND ROCKERS ON A LONG BLOCK TOO? OR NOT?

[Master Yota]

You are correct Sotven.

A long block is usually a complete engine minus the tin parts (usually the oil pan, valve covers, timing chain cover) and the manifolds (intake and exhaust). Long blocks also "usually" do not come with a harmonic balancer, pulley's, water pump, or fly wheel/flex plate - depending on the application...

A long block will have a complete heads, with valves, and valve train, push rods, cam, timing chain and gears, crank, rods, pistons, oil pump, oil pickup, freeze plugs, required gaskets already installed, and if purchased from a distributor it generally comes with a warranty.

[Tanner]

And don't fall for the term 'run-tested' on a long block... when they say this, they are usually implying that it has been spin-tested with an oil pickup tube modified to suck up oil from a vat while the engine is spun over at 300~ish RPM's & compression and oil pressure (cold) is checked.

The oil pressure may be fine when cold, but may drop when the engine is completely assembled & hot run tested with fluids & fuel.

'Tanner'

[SOTVEN]

THANK YOU GUYS, TANNER YOU HAVE JUST ANSWERED MY NEXT QUESTION ALSO. IT SEEMED WEIRED WHEN ALL DISTRIBUTORS ADVERTISED "RUN-TESTED", BUT WHAT YOU SAID MAKES SENSE. I NEED TO BUY AN ENGINE FROM THE STATES AND SHIP IT TO GREECE. (I WILL GET A 20 FOOT CONTAINER BECAUSE THERE IS PLENTY OF THINGS TO SHIP, SO COST OF TRANSPORT IS NOT AN ISSUE). SO MY OPTIONS ARE EITHER A USED RUNNING MOTOR, OFF FROM A DONOR TRUCK, OR A REBUILT MOTOR FROM A REPUTABLE MACHINE SHOP. HOWEVER, BOTH MY OPTIONS SEEM KINDA "PIG IN THE SACK". I HAVE HEARD STORIES ABOUT CRATE ENGINES THAT RUN FOR 1500 MILES AND DIED, AND STORIES ABOUT DONOR VEHICLE ENGINES THAT ONCE SWAPPED, THEY HAD TO BE PULLED OUT AND BE REBUILT.

[Master Yota]

I would go with a reputable engine rebuilder. If you've got the time, try and find an engine shop with an in house engine dynometer. This will allow the engine to be fired up, hot-run tested, and to some extent broken in. It costs a little more, but getting warranty work done an engine with a big water hole between the rebuilder and end-user can often be a real pain.

The dyno will also provide a printout spec sheet of how the engine is running at while its on the dyno - any fine tuning or adjustments can usually be done at this point.

[MSeriesRebuild]

We offer completely rebuilt engines with warranty. They are run in and all final adjustments are made on the stand. Our engines get every last component rebuilt, even to the smallest accessory item. Install a complete engine and go when you get it back. You can check out our website to see photos and information concerning rebuilt engines. Call or email if we can help, or if you have further questions.

[SOTVEN]

I would go with a reputable engine rebuilder. If you've got the time, try and find an engine shop with an in house engine dynometer. This will allow the engine to be fired up, hot-run tested, and to some extent broken in. It costs a little more, but getting warranty work done an engine with a big water hole between the rebuilder and end-user can often be a real pain.

The dyno will also provide a printout spec sheet of how the engine is running at while its on the dyno - any fine tuning or adjustments can usually be done at this point.

MASTER YOTA, I AM LEANING TOWARDS YOUR OPINION. AN ENGINE THAT WORKS PROPERLY IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN AN ENGINE WITH A PAPER WARRANTY. I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO LOOK FOR A REBUILDER WITH THE SPECS YOU DESCRIBE, SINCE I WILL NOT BE SENDING THAT BACK AT LEAST FOR A YEAR OR SO. THANKS FOR THE ADVICE

[SOTVEN]

We offer completely rebuilt engines with warranty. They are run in and all final adjustments are made on the stand. Our engines get every last component rebuilt, even to the smallest accessory item. Install a complete engine and go when you get it back. You can check out our website to see photos and information concerning rebuilt engines. Call or email if we can help, or if you have further questions.

HELLO CHARLES, LIKE I HAVE MENTIONED IN THE PAST HERE IN THE FORUM, I WISH THERE WAS A WAY TO SHIP MY TRUCK HERE AND HAVE IT REDONE BY YOU. I ADMIRE THE WORK YOU DO, AND I WAS REALLY PLEASED WITH THE STEERING SETUP YOU HAD PROVIDED ME MANY YEARS AGO. HOWEVER, I HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH A V8, AND I REMEMBER YOU TELLING ME THAT YOU DO NOT WORK WITH V8 CONVERSIONS. ALSO A DIESEL IS OUT OF THE QUESTION DUE TO STUPID GREEK LEGISLATION.

[MSeriesRebuild]

We offer completely rebuilt engines with warranty. They are run in and all final adjustments are made on the stand. Our engines get every last component rebuilt, even to the smallest accessory item. Install a complete engine and go when you get it back. You can check out our website to see photos and information concerning rebuilt engines. Call or email if we can help, or if you have further questions.

HELLO CHARLES, LIKE I HAVE MENTIONED IN THE PAST HERE IN THE FORUM, I WISH THERE WAS A WAY TO SHIP MY TRUCK HERE AND HAVE IT REDONE BY YOU. I ADMIRE THE WORK YOU DO, AND I WAS REALLY PLEASED WITH THE STEERING SETUP YOU HAD PROVIDED ME MANY YEARS AGO. HOWEVER, I HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH A V8, AND I REMEMBER YOU TELLING ME THAT YOU DO NOT WORK WITH V8 CONVERSIONS. ALSO A DIESEL IS OUT OF THE QUESTION DUE TO STUPID GREEK LEGISLATION.

Partly correct; I'm not saying we would not work with a V8. IN FACT WE HAVE A M37 GOING OUT TODAY THAT HAS A 350 CHEV AND AN AUTO TRANS. I would however rather have the truck here to work with in order to get the best fit, etc possible and be able to perfect it like we have the Cummins conversions. I realize you can't ship us your truck from Greece; and it's been a while since we had talked concerning this, I had forgotten you were talking about a V8 conversion.

[SOTVEN]

We offer completely rebuilt engines with warranty. They are run in and all final adjustments are made on the stand. Our engines get every last component rebuilt, even to the smallest accessory item. Install a complete engine and go when you get it back. You can check out our website to see photos and information concerning rebuilt engines. Call or email if we can help, or if you have further questions.

HELLO CHARLES, LIKE I HAVE MENTIONED IN THE PAST HERE IN THE FORUM, I WISH THERE WAS A WAY TO SHIP MY TRUCK HERE AND HAVE IT REDONE BY YOU. I ADMIRE THE WORK YOU DO, AND I WAS REALLY PLEASED WITH THE STEERING SETUP YOU HAD PROVIDED ME MANY YEARS AGO. HOWEVER, I HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH A V8, AND I REMEMBER YOU TELLING ME THAT YOU DO NOT WORK WITH V8 CONVERSIONS. ALSO A DIESEL IS OUT OF THE QUESTION DUE TO STUPID GREEK LEGISLATION.

Partly correct; I'm not saying we would not work with a V8. IN FACT WE HAVE A M37 GOING OUT TODAY THAT HAS A 350 CHEV AND AN AUTO TRANS. I would however rather have the truck here to work with in order to get the best fit, etc possible and be able to perfect it like we have the Cummins conversions. I realize you can't ship us your truck from Greece; and it's been a while since we had talked concerning this, I had forgotten you were talking about a V8 conversion.

WELL, IN THAT CASE IF YOU DO PERFORM REBUILDINGS ON V8 ENGINES AS YOU DO ON 230CI, THEN MAYBE YOU WILL BE THE PERSON I NEED. I PLAN TO INSTALL A 360 DODGE ENGINE MATED TO AN NV4500 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AND RETAIN THE REST OF THE STOCK DRIVE TRAIN. HOWEVER I WANT THE ENGINE TO BE CARBURATED AND NOT INJECTED. ALSO I WILL CONVERT MY M37 TO 12V ELECTRICS. YOUR VAST EXPERTISE ON M37 CHASSIS DOES MAKE YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE TO PINPOINT POSSIBLE ISSUES THAT I MIGHT ENCOUNTER WHEN I WILL BE INSTALLING THE ENGINE/TRANNY ON MY M BACK HOME. PLUS YOU WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO OUTSOURCE ALL NECESSARY COMPONENTS LIKE TRANNY TO ENGINE U JOINTSTHAN ME WHO WILL BE SEARCHING NEEDLES IN HAYSTACKS. FINALLY, I TRUST YOUR WORK. AS AFFOREMENTIONED, I DID BUSINESS WITH YOU IN THE PAST, AND WOULD NOT HESITATE TO DO AGAIN. I AM NOT IN A RUSH, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THAT WORK SO I CAN PLAN AHEAD. THANK YOU CHARLES

[MSeriesRebuild]

Building the engine and running it in is no problem at all; however making sure everything fit as far as mating to the chassis would be the issue unless we were actually doing the installation here.

[SOTVEN]

Building the engine and running it in is no problem at all; however making sure everything fit as far as mating to the chassis would be the issue unless we were actually doing the installation here.

COOL!!! I AM GLAD I HAVE MADE A BEGINING TO MY QUEST. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ENGINE/TRANNY CONVERSION WILL NOT BE A "PLUG AND PLAY" THING, AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT IN TERMS OF "PERFECT AND PROPER FIT". BUT I GUESS I WILL DO THE BEST I CAN WITH WHAT I HAVE. BESIDES, IF THERE IS ONE PROFFESIONAL I KNOW WHO WOULD FORESEE CERTAIN PROBLEMS WITH AN M37, THAT WOULD BE YOU. SO, I THINK I WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS. ONCE I AM READY TO PROCEED WITH MY PLAN, I WILL CONTACT YOU TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS. LIKE I SAID, I AM NOT IN A GREAT HURRY, BUT IT WILL BE DONE. THANKS AGAIN CHARLES.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Building the engine and running it in is no problem at all; however making sure everything fit as far as mating to the chassis would be the issue unless we were actually doing the installation here.

COOL!!! I AM GLAD I HAVE MADE A BEGINING TO MY QUEST. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ENGINE/TRANNY CONVERSION WILL NOT BE A "PLUG AND PLAY" THING, AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT IN TERMS OF "PERFECT AND PROPER FIT". BUT I GUESS I WILL DO THE BEST I CAN WITH WHAT I HAVE. BESIDES, IF THERE IS ONE PROFFESIONAL I KNOW WHO WOULD FORESEE CERTAIN PROBLEMS WITH AN M37, THAT WOULD BE YOU. SO, I THINK I WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS. ONCE I AM READY TO PROCEED WITH MY PLAN, I WILL CONTACT YOU TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS. LIKE I SAID, I AM NOT IN A GREAT HURRY, BUT IT WILL BE DONE. THANKS AGAIN CHARLES.

Just let us know when you are ready, happy to help any way we can.