AboutDan Liddy Expertise Anything concerning race cars, 20 years competition experience, Senior
Competition Driver Instructor , car builder, mechanic, welding,
fabrication, tuning , engine modifications, set up, suspension design.
Specializing in Datsun/Nissan products. Please submit questions about RACE CARS ONLY. No street cars, no video game scenarios Thank you.
Experience I have been racing for 20 years, I have been the Central Florida SCCA Regional Championship points for 5 years running, and won the championship in my class 2 times. During my first start in the 60's I won many solo awards and the State Championship Drags. I serve as a senior instructor for SCCA, and have taught in Mercedes AMG events at Daytona, and Dodge Viper Days at Sebring International. I have been in the thick of the competition for all of my career. At one time or another I have driven race cars at speeds nearing 195 MPH. It's quite a ride !
Question Is it safe to bore a late model 5.0 block to .0060 over,street use only.
Answer It depends entirely on the type of block and who made it. If it's a Chevy 305, well no ! If it's a Ford, I'm not sure. You're going to have to take it to a machine shop anyhow, ask the machinest what he thinks about that particular engine. Hopefully you will take it to a performance machine shop, and they'll know . Most race engines are bored .030" and if moroe is needed, they use a different crank and rods and "stoke " the motor.
You can also have the block tested sonically. That tells the story but is kinda pricey. Not, however, as pricey as boring one out and then learning that you have no cylinder wall left.
More modern domestic V-8's are built as much for lightness as durability these days, and the whole engine is much thinner than say, an older 350 SBC.
Since I havent' worked on any V-8's in many years, you should seek the advice of others more familiar with the modern ones.
