Not a good feeling to assemble the engine with the less than perfect block and heads but what can I do, the downside of living here. Replaced the main bearings and got the missing main cap bolts and after another month of lockdown I could start again.




Timing chain has too much slack, ordered a new set



before cleaning the valves



checking rocker arm geometry

Yet another lockdown, started ordering spare parts. Decided to replace the timing chain set, the alternator, all senders, bolts and all rubber gaskets of the Hardin parts and a couple of other things like breathers and hoses. And then wait...

Dang that's a bad machine shop
The pan gasket area can be fixed with even things like JB weld and sand flat, but the cylinder no way. Any more room to bore? Dish pistons to reduce compression maybe

Bore is already 4.600, not sure how much this can be overbored.
There seems to be a good machine shop in Thailand (neighboring country), but shipping the block back and forth is a major effort and right now impossible anyway, nobody can cross the border.
I find myself already looking for complete engines on Facebook. For now I’ll try my luck with the rebuild and when I blow the engine up I guess it’s easier just to order a new one in the States.

Unless I'm looking at the wrong info, then 502 had a 4.466 bore. If yours is 4.600 that's 0.134 oversize. The 540 is bored 4.500 for a 0.034 oversize

Dart Big M can go 4.600. I even thought max bore was 4.625 for some reason.

The Dart big m has more meat in the cylinder wall area, but Id think you're close to max, if not maxed on bore size, a call to Dart will have the answer

it’s a 582 Dart Big M which comes in 4.600 bore from factory

Just looked up their website:

Standard 4.250”, 4.500”, 4.560” or 4.600” bore sizes with siamesed extra thick cylinder walls to resist cracking and improve ring seal (minimum .300” thick with 4.625” bore).

Love the valave covers . Are Kieth Erchart ? RG.

Love the name "Big Hole"

I think I must have Big Hole Jr.

Awesome work boat will be amazing when completed!