I know some of the questions I will asked have been asked before, but the search engine is kind of vague it is hard for me to find exactly what I am looking for.

so Here are my questions:

1) how much can I mill off the block to get CR up around 9:1 without messing with pushrod length? and do i even need to worry about pushrod length with mechanical lifters and adjustable rocker arms?

2) I want to bore out my cylinders, what is a conservative over-size for pistons? What pistons to use? where to get them? yada-yada.

3) Nuts and Botls. Should I get all new fasteners or just reuse the old ones if they are still good? Anyone out there sell and entire engine kit of fasteners?

4) Painting the block, head, pan, etc. What got painted and what did not get painted? What is the best way (with rattle can) to paint the engine? I have the proper color, how many cans will I need? or does that just depend on me?

That is all for now. This is my first Domestic engine rebuild (i was air cooled VW guy before) so some of the stuff is new, but putting it together is all straight forward.

Guys if there is anything I am missing, or should know. let me know please.

Caesar

The general answer is .1 total...but, you really have to see what you are doing on your rebuild, this can 'change' by using different head gaskets, the size of the over bore, whether you mill more off the deck or the head
and what your original deck height was...

Take the engine apart and check how far down the piston is at TDC.
You'll need an inside gauge to check your cylinder wear for what over bore you'll need minimum...(or if this is a performance build you're going .060 right??)

You can buy the stock type piston in a kit from Northern Auto Parts, PAW, etc... once you measure the cylinder with the worst wear you'll know if it fits the .005, .020, .030, .040, .060... I'm gonna guess .020 if your engine is original and never rebuilt.
Some one can set you up...things like the head bolts can be reused...I went for a new set of studs and new nuts for it (had to reuse the acorn style end nuts though)....getting baggies and marking the bolt groups helps put it all back together much quicker...
Each person has their own style...I rattle canned mine during the summer with engine primer and a can of blue engine paint (used about 3/4 can of primer, and 1/2 can of blue)...next time I think I might try POR's engine paint... the factory way was almost like assembling the entire engine and painting it wholesale...regardless which way you decide (individual parts then assemble, or otherwise....) when you fire it up the exhaust will make things smoke and stink as it heats up for a short amount of time, and when you lash the valves you'll have some oil to clean up...


good luck...if not doing your own rebuild, tell the machine shop to take the minimum allowable overbore, and they can measure things for a 9:1 CR.

-D.Idiot