Ive been giving this some thought lately and kinda getting more serious about it. The main reason I would tear it down would be just to have the block and rotating assembly cryo treated.
I already have it on the books so to speak to do the heads, whether it be the current ones or a set of spares if I can get my hands on a good set. So its not many more parts to break down the block and do that as well. My concern is I am terrified of this concept, mainly because of the lack of knowledge on my part.
Simply put, Ive never had this opportunity before, never done this kind of work before and Im at an age that I want to experience this having missed out on it in my younger years. Furthermore, Ive been studying, reading about cryo treating for a few years now and am convinced of its benefits and the 3800 provides me the nearly perfect platform in which to do this on with the availability of parts both OEM and aftermarket. The only platform I could see being better would be an SBC.
Ive gotten past my concerns with doing the heads, that is pulling them off and reinstalling them. I was seriously concerned with getting them to seal back up as they should, but the general consensus seems to be as long as you torque them down correctly and in the proper sequence it should all be good. So either way, the heads are coming off and getting treated and then I'll install my new lifters, pushrods, springs, seals, roller rockers, etc.
So the point of all this is to find info on how to do this. Are there any detailed write ups on rebuilding or tearing down and putting back together a 3800? What input do you all have that have experience with this? What tools am I going to need? What additional work (for instance, honing, etc) will be required once I break everything down? For instance, I have no clue how to prime the oil pump.
I have a daily driver, so time is not necessarily an issue so I can do things and buy stuff as needed as funds are available. My view is I have an opportunity to carry out some ideas I believe are valid and worth doing as well as gain the experience of having gone completely through an engine in my life. I dont like being afraid of doing things when it comes to cars and I want to do this and get past that.
So if you have some experience in doing this I would appreciate your insight. I know people like Brian and James have done this so Im hoping to hear from each of you and anyone else that can get me on the path of information that will dispel the concerns I have from a lack of information/knowledge.
