# Engine building tools
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447
**Category:** Builds
**Created:** [December 30, 2015, 10:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447 "2015-12-30T10:34:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Wahoo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wahoo)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2015, 10:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447/1 "2015-12-30T10:34:01Z")
So i have a tool allowance at work that i have $180 to spend before the new year or it goes to waste.
I need to refresh and or build my buick v6 (grand national engine). I plan to do it myself, most likely will pay a machine shop to clean the block and check it out.
But mainly im i interested in recommendations on what tools i need, im hoping i can buy something decent, better than harbor freight but not the best of the best since i wont do it often if more than a couple times probably in my life.
I was told to buy a mic set, dial/digital caliper, maybe a dial indicator with a magnetic base.
Any recommendations for these tools and or what i need to measure for bearings and everything?
Thx
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### Author:  [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2015, 12:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447/2 "2015-12-30T12:20:31Z")
yea, those are a good investment. I imagine it has to be new tools? There are lots of good deals on the high quality older tools.
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### Author:  [@turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbo_ls1_ss)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2015, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447/3 "2015-12-30T13:00:46Z")
You’ll also need a ring filer, feeler gauges, and piston installer. Make sure any measurement tool is accurate or it’s a waste.
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### Author:  [@Choda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Choda)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447/4 "2015-12-30T14:54:32Z")
1/4 electric impact/driver
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### Author:  [@joelster](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/joelster)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447/5 "2015-12-30T15:48:34Z")
Dial indicator like you said.
Valve spring height gauge, valve spring compressor, a puller set. $180 isn’t going to get you much.
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### Author:  [@Wahoo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wahoo)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447/6 "2015-12-30T16:09:33Z")
Yeah im starting to thi k maybe ill just have the machinst put it together, at least the rotating assembly.
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### Author:  [@Wahoo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wahoo)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2016, 8:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447/7 "2016-12-21T08:54:44Z")
I’m starting think about picking up some tools again.
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### Author:  [@LXIFLYBY](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LXIFLYBY)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-building-tools/273447/8 "2016-12-21T13:55:37Z")
Have a good machinist do the short block assembly and spend the 180 bucks on a nice torque wrench to assemble the rest. To buy an accurate dial bore gauge/caliper/rod bolt stretch gauge/dial indicator etc will cost you more than it will just to have the machinist do the short block, so I’d spend the money on a tool that I will use more than once or twice.