1987 Dodge D150 Engine Swap

What is the difference between a long block and a short block engine?

1. Long Block EngineThis engine is complete in itself. You can also say that this engine is as close to full assembly engine and ready to run quickly. All the essential components that an ideal engine must have are intact with it and require less time for installation.The long block is more powerful than the short block and negative efforts are required to putting things together. This engine has the parts- assembled block, crankshaft, camshaft, valve train, and a cylinder head as well.Basic Difference between long block vs. short blockHowever, it doesn’t include fuel system, intake, electrical, and exhaust components too. Also, a need of replacing the long block indicates that the short block and the head have been damaged so badly that it can’t be repaired anymore. Generally, the manufacturer offers a complete repair kit in which reconditioning repairs.Moreover, this engine is costlier than the short. In addition, the parts of the engine may contrast from trader to trader.So, if the cost is not an issue for you and the best performance is what you want, going for the long block will definitely be the best option.SEE MORE:How much time can a battery take to get charged?Types of car engine2. Short Block EngineYou can find short block below cylinder head and above crankcase. This engine is not complete and comes with a piston, a crank, and connecting rods. An installation is required in order to assemble all the parts. The external parts required to attach externally may include cylinder heads, oil pump, and gaskets. In addition, you can find some engines with the timing parts as well.Your maintenance tips provider might have told you that the installation of short block engine takes more time than the long block. Well, it’s true! Every part must hold at the specific position and the process of binding the parts together might be time-consuming. This engine is affordable as purchasing only necessary parts lessen the cost. In the race of long block vs short block engine[1], when it comes to replacement, the internal parts of short are costlier than the external parts of the long block.Learn about Long block vs short block engineIn terms of performance, short blocks due to their freedom in additional parts are more efficient than the long blocks.Reference: Car From JapanFootnotes[1] Long Block vs Short Block Engines - Comparing Auto Engine Performance

Auto Repair: How long should brake service normally take?

There is also the issue of skill. Some shops have newer guys do simpler jobs, like maintenance. So it's also very likely the guy was having some trouble. Even at an independent shop 2 hours was about the tops for 4 wheel brake job. We'd order the parts and take it all apart, if machining needed to be done get it started and move to something else.  By time the parts arrived you'd hopefully be able to put some stuff together. You check the parts and if they're right, get it together, if they're wrong you get new parts ordered. The worst I ever had was a brake job that came in around 2, checked it and needed front pads, rotors, and rear drums and shoes. Took it apart and moved on. Checked parts when they came... the rears were all wrong. It was 4 already because delivery gets busy near the end of the day. Assembled fronts and waited until 530 to get rears again. Made sure they were right, gave old ones as exchange and put rears together. It was almost 6. Got the car ready for a brake flush(also sold), performed the flush and let the writer know. It was almost 615 and the customer waited the entire time, needing to get to class. That was the worst.Typically it's 40 minutes in a dealer setting for all 4 without machining, about 60 with. You check them, get parts, and assemble. That's it. Machining is typically very easy if you know what you're doing and you get started ASAP so you can work and machine. In a smaller shop you can hear when they're finished to remind you about them. If you forget though nothing happens and time is wasted.So what you want to do is not wait for your car to be done if you can. Let the shop worry about issues and you can get on with it. If you're on a tight schedule and need the car consider returning when you have more time, brakes very rarely need to be done immediately, as it is with most vehicle repairs.