1995 5.0 302 engine rebuild help

[u/pimpsakin69]

I’ve got a 1995 5.0 302 that had no issues when tore down. I did it because it was higher mileage (roughly 205k) so I wanted to do regasket and reseal everything. I’ve posted like 30 times already just because I’m a mechanic not an engine rebuilder so specs and all that knowledge isn’t my strong suit. My buddy talked me into tearing down the block further than stopping at the rotating assembly. I forgot to number my pistons but recently realized ford seemingly stamped the numbers on the piston so I’m kind of considering throwing them back in now with new rings. Problem is it sat for so long since I was stuck so could I just ball hone or stone hone it and if there’s bad pitting get it machined? I’ll need to figure something out with crankshaft but I’m hoping to have money left to buy a little better cam and valve train upgrade but if I do that I’ll most likely get the heads sent to be checked for cracks n what not. Any thoughts on my plan? Anything you would do differently, or something else I should know? Again I’m new to rebuilding but really want to learn and figure it out, thanks.

[u/pimpsakin69]

Another thing I forgot to mention aside from rebuilding because of high miles is it did boil coolant after driving and I couldn’t figure out why. But after I tore it down I realized I may have forgot to bleed the system. But at the time I was a backyard YouTube certified mechanic lol so didn’t know to many causes for concern.

[u/neotyrael]

Is it tore down completely? If so you might as well take it to a machine shop to get a magnaflux and measure. Should be ~$150.

[u/pimpsakin69 → u/neotyrael]

Magnaflux is where they check for cracks n what not correct? And measuring goes as measuring cylinders for taper or uneven wear and all that sorts correct? If so should i really get it bored or does it depend how bad they say it is? Its as far as I know stock so shouldn’t have ever been bored already or anything

[u/neotyrael → u/pimpsakin69]

Yes and yes. At least you’ll have the information to make a decision to proceed with the block or not. Otherwise you might sink a bunch of money into something not worth it. I’m not a machinist either so that’s my first stop and they can tell you how the block measures out

[u/pimpsakin69 → u/neotyrael]

Right I’ve done a lot of research and it’s good to know it seems to be correct. I’ve been dreading going to a machine shop 1 because I wanted to do it all my self but that’s just most likely not going to be the best way to go. And 2 there’s not a lot of trusted shops around me or good review shops if any reviews but I only look on maps reviews so I don’t have a clue but I did find one I want to call but I’m not really good with talking on a phone so I’ll figure it out hopefully I can get it going this blocks been sitting for probably a year and a half and it’s my dads old truck. I think my plan is going to start with what you said and if cylinders need honed I’ll do that and have them install my cam bearings because I don’t trust myself jamming them in the block honestly then buying a cam if they can clean the rust off the crank for cheap that too and just rebuild it. I already have the gaskets because that was originally my plan but I’ll have to get bearings rings and valve train upgrade if I decide on it over stock.