Build your own engine - tips

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Engine Builder Ben Smeding and Smeding Performance Offer 8 Tips On What not To Do When Building An Engine For Beginners.

(PRWEB) January 20, 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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