Engine Rebuild component recommendations

[Cobradavid]

My daughter and I are about to embark on an adventure: we're restoring a 1966 Ranchero together. It has a 200 ci inline 6 that will need some degree of rebuilding. I haven't taken it apart yet, so I don't know what all will need to be replaced. We're going to keep it as stock as possible. I'm not looking for performance gains (no top of the line racing parts needed), but I don't want something to fail and cause me to rebuild the engine again.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, recommendations, or experience (success stories or horror stories) with various manufacturers of rebuild components.

For example, Summit has engine rebuild kits that include bearings (cam, main, rod), pistons, piston rings, freeze plugs, oil pump, and full gasket set. The brand for the kit and all the parts is Sealed Power. Is Sealed Power a good brand for these components?

I've also found other rebuild kits that use a variety of manufacturers like Clevite bearings, Meling oil pumps, Romac balancers, Clay Smith cam and lifters, and Felpro or Corteco gasket sets. Are these good brands (better than Sealed Power?) for these components?

Is it a good practice to replace the timing chain and gears when doing a rebuild even if they're in good condition?

Is it a good practice to replace/rebuild the balancer even if it's in good condition?

I don't own a money tree, so I'd like to do this right but not spend a lot of money that I don't need to spend.

Thanks in advance for the help.

David

[TahoeTim]

Don't worry to much about brand names. Getting the clearances right is much more important. Yes, the timing chain and gears should be replaced. I've never worried about the balancer.

[KeithBoden]

I've rebuilt engines with low end kits from Summit and others, and with high end all-forged kits. It is important to make sure the kit is exactly right for your engine, especially since an inline 6 is not as common as some other makes for rebuilding.
Cam:
In my experience, if you are replacing the cam, go with a brand name, especially for flat tappet; I've had multiple Summit brand cams fail with lobe issues, and one where the distributor gear was not concentric with the cam.

Pistons/Rings:
Since you are looking to keep it stock, evaluate the pistons, cylinder walls, and rings (compression/leak-down test if possible) to determine if you even need to replace those parts. If any are bad or worn more than you would like, you can either ball hone it and just do new rings, or have it honed up to the next size and do pistons and rings. I've rebuilt engines where I have taken the rotating assembly out and apart, cleaned everything, and put it all back together with the same rings and pistons in the same locations.

Bearing/gasket brands:
I've had good luck with Clevite and Felpro. I think it is important to make sure that what you get is right for the engine. I've purchased head gaskets from SCE, Cometic, and Jegs that didn't fit the cylinder bores/head surface right. Especially if aftermarket parts get in the mix, make sure the gaskets are hitting all the right sealing surfaces, and that the bearings are the right size.

Timing chain / balancer:
If the balancer is in good condition, I would clean it, paint it, and reuse it. The timing chain set is ~$30 from Summit (CCA-3223.) I'd bet the one that is in the engine would go around until it is time to retire the engine, and it is possible that the factory chain is somehow better than a new aftermarket one - I'd say either choice is fine.

[68GT500MAN]

I would not worry too much about the brand names of the parts you are using since this is not going to be a race car. Summit puts together a nice kit that I have used several times on a build such as yours (200 cu/in 6 cyl) with success. The harmonic balancer has a rubber part that can become brittle with age allowing the outer part to rotate causing timing problems. New ones are available from many places including many who supply parts for Mustangs.
Doug

[skullandbones]

I like Summit's gasket kits and have also gotten several individual (some hard to find) gaskets like the Holley EFI which fit perfectly. When I have had any issue with fitment, they respond quickly to keep you on track which is worth a lot if you are on a schedule. I don't think I've ever felt like the parts were questionable quality wise from the things I've purchased.

Good luck. Sounds like a great project for the daughter.

WEK.

[Cobradavid]

Thanks for the great advice, guys!

My daughter and I are working on the front suspension right now. We're both enjoying working on it together.

David

[Cobradavid]

We'll finish taking the engine apart tomorrow and I'm thinking about cams now. Any experience (positive or negative) with Comp cams and Melling cams? This will be a stock build.

David

[rich grsc]

We'll finish taking the engine apart tomorrow and I'm thinking about cams now. Any experience (positive or negative) with Comp cams and Melling cams? This will be a stock build.

David

I would just keep the cam thats in it.