I have a 74 Duster with a 225 I have to rebuild the entire motor, have to start fresh, I was wondering what performance mods I should do. I would like to keep the cost at about 2,500 considering the fact I have to put and entirely new steering system in, if any of you know if I could buy a complete kit somewhere online it would really help me out.

i don't know where you are located, but i built a 225 for A LOT less than $2500! if you are going mostly stock, the rebuild can be done very reaonably, but (as always) the faster you want to go the more it costs.

i took my block to a local machine shop had it bored, bought pistons, a crank kit and gaskets all for about $200. oil pump and timing chain from a local auto parts store for $80.

went through some trouble with the head...the initial head i did was $370 (back cut valves, pocket port, gasket match) but it ended up needing to be trashed. soooo, $35 at the junkyard and $104 at the machine shop later i had a rebuilt stocker head.

Erson cam from summit for $127.

so, machining parts and all under $600. plus of course engine paint, etc etc.

if you are not looking for a lot elbow grease on your part: a short block might be in order. i don't know what they go for, but they are still available from most engine builders. (there is a long block on ebay right now for $1200 i believe)

the only complete kit i know of offhand is clifford's kit for about $800.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Engine-r ... enameZWDVW

that is a link to a rering kit on ebay for like $50. you could get the other stuff the way i did. hope this helps a little. we could get a LOT more detailed if we knew more of what kind of build you were after.

sb

http://www.flatlanderracing.com/rebuildkitschrys.html

$189.00 for an "Overhaul Kit" here is their description:

Overhaul Kits include: Pistons, Rings, Gaskets, Cam Bearings, Rod Bearings, Main Bearings, Thrust Washers, Aux Shaft Bearings (if applicable), and Valley Pan (if applicable).

For $375.00 you get the "Master Engine Kit":

Master Engine Kits include: Pistons, Rings, Gaskets, Cam Bearings, Rod Bearings, Main Bearings, Oil Pump, Freeze Plugs, Camshaft, Lifters, Pre-lube, and Timing Set, and Valley Pan (if applicable).

_________________
David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.