Piston .060 ???
 

After removing the heads I noticed the tops of the pistons are stamped with .060. Can someone let me know what this means has to what I have and regards to future upgrades.

Thanks again....

It probably means that the engine was bored .060 over when it was rebuilt. Thats the max you can bore the engine. If you ever get head gaskets, make sure they are for .060 overbored pistons.

It means your engine is done.

Take care,
-Chris

I was going to get some new performer heads and cam for it. Not worth it then?

If it's still tight, sure, but if there is too much play, then no. Your block is at it's maximum bore, and cannot be overbored any farther.

Take care,
-Chris

Chris, I'm sort of a beginner to working on engines....When you say "too much play". That is?

You would have to take it apart and take some measurments. you would check the ring gap, and see how much it had grown, see how much side clearance the pistons had, see if the cylinders were very out of round, etc. usually you can clean that up by overboring .010" to .030", depending on how severe the wear is, but .060" is the limit for your block, plus that means it's been around the block a couple times already, and may have some stress fractures.

Take care,
-Chris

Bore inserts in this block?
 

What do ya think...

one more ....

I think your coolant/water mix had too much coolant in it, and the engine probably ran warm, but I have a hunch that's not what you're asking.

Do this: with the back of your fingernail, run up the cylinder wall, and feel how much the ridge at the top sticks out. If it sticks out enough to stop your finger, the block needs to be replaced. If the cylinder walls are so smooth that you can no longer see a cross pattern on them from the hone, then the block needs to be replaced.

Take care,
-Chris