Engine rebuild advice

[TuRBoTaLooN95]

I have the exact opposite opinion that Rene does. I would rather have a local place do the machine work and put it together myself. Its really very easy to do and its a great learning experience. Having a local guy that I have a relationship with do the work makes me feel a lot better about the build than buying one already done from somewhere. Putting it together yourself will ensure that no corners are being cut and that every single clearance is 100% up to spec. Assembling a short block isn't rocket science, just get some plasti-gauge and follow the service manual instructions. Shit, I can come over and give you a hand if you'd like. It should only take a few of hours to do it.

John

Do you mean assembling the rotating assembly or the rest of the short block? I had planned on having the machine shop put the rotating assembly together.

[atc250r]

I meant installing the rods, pistons, rings, crankshaft, and the related bearings. Its really not that hard, you just have to take your time and check all your clearances. The only special tools you need are a torque wrench and the tool to install the pistons. If you don't have them I do. If you really need help assembling the rest of the shortblock (i.e. everything below the head) I can give you a hand with that as well. You just need to get all the gaskets for it.

John

[TuRBoTaLooN95]

Alright, so it looks like a found a guy on the galant forums (thanks John) with a complete 6 bolt bottom end in Bethlehem for $150. Guy says he literally removed the head and took it out of the car so it has the oil pan, oil pickup, front case, ofh, timing pulleys/tensioners, etc. Hopefully I'll be able to pick it up tomorrow and get this damn show on the road!!

[atc250r]

Cool. I'm glad you got something set up over there. You should be all set to go now.

John

[TuRBoTaLooN95]

Cool. I'm glad you got something set up over there. You should be all set to go now.

John

I sure hope so! It seems like every time I start to make progress, something else happens.

[TuRBoTaLooN95]

Alright, so apparently the VR4 boards were full of guys with 6 bolt blocks. I got a ton of responses. Now I found one particular guy in PA that has two blocks for me, and I'm debating what to do here...

Block 1:
Pulled directly from a vr4. Head and accessories and trans removed, nothing else touched. Never been rebuilt. Good candidate for rebuild at the machine shop. $150

Block 2:
Fresh rebuild, never made it to the car. And I quote:
"started with a stock uncut/unbored block 2.0
polished crank uncut - oil resist coating added to counter weights
bored block .020 over with torque plate
line honed with new billet 'pro-gram' main caps with arp hardware
entire rotating assembly precision balanced

stuffed with...
eagle rods
8.5:1 ross pistons w/ ceramic coated domes and teflon coated skirts
coated clevite bearings
balance shafts removed
all held together with arp hardware

block is assembled with no accessories. water pump/front case etc...
was assembled at saluta performance coatings in allentown pa. (friend of mine)"

In my last email with him, he said to bring cash because he won't go lower than $1,500 for the built motor.

Now my initial quote from the machine shop for the rebuild (without a line hone) was $1,200. Plus new OEM pistons/rings/wrist pins another $200, plus $150 for the block gets me $1,550.

Input please

[Nate Crisman]

Bring $1500 and get a free upgrade to eagle/ross and someone else gets to do the work.

sounds like a no brainer to me.

[TuRBoTaLooN95]

Bring $1500 and get a free upgrade to eagle/ross and someone else gets to do the work.

sounds like a no brainer to me.

Yea, my thoughts at first. But then I get nervous about buying a motor from someone with no warantee or knowing if anything is wrong. What things can I look for to assure it is built correctly?

[blcknspo0ln]

A build sheet!

[TuRBoTaLooN95]

Ok, so I saw some paperwork, motor looks good...so here's what's sitting in my gf's car right now

Came with ARP head studs, mint 6 bolt oil pan, rustoleum painted block, everything assembled.