Newbie here. Owned Raider for two weeks head cracked set up for a year. Getting parts together for a rebuild and the stuff that I have read in this forum has sure made life easier for me. Now I am looking for a short block (already have a head comming from Clearwater). Does anybody have any recommendations about rebuilders? Keep up the good work. Maybe I will contribute some day.

The commercial rebuilders will not sell shortblocks as they don't want to be on the hook for messed up build. This is just as well as most of them are crap anyways.

Your best bet is to take your well seasoned block to a local machine shop rebuilder. Ask around first, not all machine shops are equal. You want them to use a quality rebuild kit as there are some really junk rings, bearing and piston sets out there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> From there you can go as conservative or crazy as you want with performance options.
You have to decide if you want to keep the balance shafts or get the blance shaft eliminators. If you ever want to go turbo get the piston oil squirters drilled. People have favorite oil pumps the OEM is a safe bet. You must use the turbo head gasket from a 88 Starion or Conquest, it's much tougher than the OEM.. Your choice on either ARP head studs or new head bolts. I used the Felpro head gasket and new Felpro head bolts. I would have used ARP studs but they were on two week back order at the time. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

You machine shop should want to install the new head. Any good machinist should never trust their customers <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Last but not least your cooling systems needs the complete works. New fan clutch, new waterpump, new hoses and have the radiator serviced. Buy a OEM fan clutch or get used to changing out the cheap parts store ones. Yes your fan clutch is bad, they start going bad from day one and get worse with age.

That's all I can think off right now

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Whats your location?? Someone from the board maybe close to you to help build/point you in the right shops.

I have a complete, yet disassembled 2.6 shortblock. All machining done, and ready to go. You may have to fight with a couple guys over the crank since it's factory nitrided, but hey...
let me know if I can help

if papadanny is not interested how much you looking for for it and would you ship
im bout to do a rebuild but if its cheaper to take off of your hands sounds like a good idea

If it's cost prohibitive to ship to the right coast and papadanny doesn't want it, it sounds like a good candidate for my turbo swap (with crank). Does it have the oil squirters?

IN discussing my options with some fellows at work. I decided to go ahead and rebuild what I have. With all of the great reads in the archives and online help from ya'll should be a great fun. By the way I am from Arkasas. Soooie PIG Soooie

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> That's the way to go. I went with a reman, and got screwed. I had a reman only last 6k miles, and when I went back for the warranty they said there was sand in the engine, well it was not my fault they did not clean it before they put it together <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Here's the company by the way http://www.orientengine.com/