how long should you wait before you order your engine?

[rx7922]

I know everyone is going to have a different opinion on this matter, but generally speaking, how long should you wait?

lets say average builder, who spends about 1 day a week on the car.

[Alan_C]

First, identify the engine and seller. Then inquire about the purchase to time to ship, backlog in effect. That gives you an idea of when the engine will be ready to ship once you decide to order.
With Black Friday coming, there might be opportunities to save some money and that could be more significant than just your schedule.

There is so much you can do assembling the car, depending on how fast you work, you could find yourself not needing the engine for 6 months. The FFR assembly manual shows their recommended order. Maybe use that information and then create a project plan schedule. You can then order to have the engine when your schedule says you should be ready or a bit sooner.
I had my engine before kit delivery as it was from a donor. I did not install the engine until needed to finish the wiring, fuel lines, etc.
Similarly, I found that many builders attach the aluminum panels too early in the build. They can create access issues when working on the fuel lines and electrical. I recommend you cleco panels until you are done with anything behind or below them.

Good luck, the better your planning the less down time you should have waiting for parts.

[michael everson]

Better to have it and not need it than the other way around.
Mike

[CaptB]

Reach out to Mike Forte, you'll find his engines very affordable. Two years ago you couldn't find a block on the market and it was the longest pole in my tent. However, I think the supply chain is in much better shape. Get it ordered, even if it sits there for a long time it will not hurt the motor.

[F500guy]

I was planning on splitting some cost over multiple years for tax purposes, and due to back log I ordered way ahead of time. Unfortunately it did not help as the back log cleared and I actually got my engine 6 weeks before my car. I would have liked to have received it about 4-5 months after car delivery, it just takes up a bunch of space in the garage, so your build area may also dictate when you want to receive it. I needed the hoist to un-crate the motor, and needed to get a stand to allow it to be rolled around and stored, so more stuff to sit on before it is really needed for me. I think I will be dropping the motor in next month, so 5-6 months after car delivery and I am behind some folks that have started at similar time frame and probably get about 15 +/- hrs a week wrenching due to life schedule and taking my time to think things thru..so also about 10 hours a week researching, testing and contemplating or procrastinating depending on how you look at it:p

[rthomas98]

really depends on where the engine is coming from. I waited almost a year after I received my kit to order the engine. But that was because I wanted to maximize the engine warranty from Blueprint for more driving miles and less sitting in a crate time.

[OB6]

Agree it depends on the what and who. I'm going with a new LS3 from GM. When I was at the Chevy dealer having some warranty work done on my truck, I asked the parts manager how long it would take to get an engine in. He asked if I was in in a rush because it would take at least a few days. :D So I don't have an engine yet and won't order one until I'm ready. And I've had no problem keeping myself busy on other parts of the build.

[Jeff33Ford]

Another thing to consider is warranty. A lot of engine builders will start your warranty when you receive the engine. So some of the x years x miles warranty will do you no good sitting in the garage. I ordered during covid so I would rather have it sitting in the garage than worrying about the warranty.

[mrglaeser]

I am going to second, third, fourth all the comments saying to decide where/who you are getting your engine from and then give them a call. I'd Also like to agree with others that in general sooner is better than later. Personally I am 9 months into my build and I'm now waiting on the engine. I'm in a bit of a different boat because I wanted to use a Ford Performance Boss Block based 347 Short Block and build my own engine, and Ford is way behind on these castings for 'supply chain' reasons. In fact I'm thinking of switching to Dart Short Block (also 4 bolt mains). Since I have all the parts for the engine I planned outside of the rotating assembly. I might just take the winter off and come back at it in the spring otherwise I'd have to try to talk suppliers into returning some parts(Dart Blocks are externally balanced at 28oz and Ford's are internally balanced) I've had for 18 months.

[mmklaxer]

To give a slightly different perspective - I think it starts with the type of engine you're looking for. I went with a Coyote, which is well documented with its own instruction manual. I ordered the controls pack, as that is needed early on. Waited until I was closer to install, as the engine is more readily available than a pushrod. Once engine package arrived, assembledf it and installed without issue, mainly because that engine package is so well documented the kinks are all worked out.

that being said, I called Forte in advance to understand engine leadtime, backed off that amount from when I wanted to assemble.

[GoDadGo]

When configuring your car, you need to do determine what the use of the car will be.


After that, do your homework on your engine specs, transmission specs & rear end gear ratio.
It is sort of like SCUBA Diving because you should always Plan Your Dive & Dive Your Plan.
If you Plan Your Build & Build Your Plan you will end up with the perfect car for you.

Just don't fall into the trap of analysis paralysis & you'll be fine.

[GoDadGo]

Better to have it and not need it than the other way around.
Mike

Amen Mr. Mike, Amen!

[Tooth]

Better to have it and not need it than the other way around.
Mike

This

[Mike.Bray]

Dart Blocks are externally balanced at 28oz and Ford's are internally balanced

I'm not sure I understand what a block has to do with internal or external balance so very interesting. I built my 393W and the rotating assembly from Scat is internally balanced. Nothing was ever mentioned about the block (other than it has Cleveland-sized mains) by either Scat or the machine shop.

Can you further explain?

[rich grsc]

I'm not sure I understand what a block has to do with internal or external balance so very interesting. I built my 393W and the rotating assembly from Scat is internally balanced. Nothing was ever mentioned about the block (other than it has Cleveland-sized mains) by either Scat or the machine shop.

Can you further explain?

I'm with Mike here. The block has nothing to do with balancing. The crank determines how it's balanced.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The block has nothing to do with balancing. The crank determines how it's balanced.

This is correct.

Jeff

[Sarcasticshrub]

To the OP's original question (and already answered in several ways), figure out your plan for your build, then do it. It doesn't hurt to shop around now to see what lead times will be. When you need to have the engine will become clear knowing your plan.

I'm about 10 months into a 3-year build plan and have been looking into my engine needs recently. Times for delivery are anywhere from 2 to 6 months depending on the vendor. I'm going with a 408-long block & finishing it myself, sometime in the latter part of 2024. Plenty to do in the meantime...

[cv2065]

Dart blocks are still in short supply, so I'd order at least 3 months out from installation.

[mrglaeser]

I'm not sure I understand what a block has to do with internal or external balance so very interesting. I built my 393W and the rotating assembly from Scat is internally balanced. Nothing was ever mentioned about the block (other than it has Cleveland-sized mains) by either Scat or the machine shop.

Can you further explain?

I conflated two things Block and Short Block. I ordered a short block from Ford performance I could cancel and switch to a short block from Dart. They use different rotating components so all my externals that I already have would need to be changed out. It's not a lot of parts, or that big of a deal but I'm not sure how much of a hassle it would be to exchange parts I've had for a long time. Additionally the price I ordered the Ford Short Block for over a year ago is a lot less than the going prices of the Dart Short Block is now. The Ford Short Block is backordered because Ford Performance is having trouble getting Blocks in stock due to their castings suppliers.

Short Blocks in Question:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/drt-03213472

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-6009-347