Engine rebuild thread...

[mkaenel]

I have decided to do a thread on an engine rebuild from the ground up. Currently the engine is stripped down to block. The engine took a dive after about 300 miles of use. There were pieces of metal bouncing around in the engine and two pistons were destroyed. It was a crate engine when I bought it and was quickly turned into a paper weight.

So here is the first post of the build from the ground up. Please feel free to post questions/comments.

Breakdown Details:

302 built to 330hp/330 lbs torque. The engine was torn down to block because I was chasing wear issues and other problems.

1. Heads removed and checked - There was leaking valves in the number 3 and 4 cylinder. All was repaired at the machine shop.
2. Rod bearings - There was uneven wear on a few of the bearings so the first thought was a bad crank. The machine shop checked the crank and it was fine.
3. Engine block - sent in and line checked. It was not a perfectly straight block and was machined to be perfect.

So far I am about 600.00 in and I still need a new set of KB forged pistons. The total bill for this rebuild will be about 1,200.00 in the end, but I will know what I have in the end.

I do have to thank the Paris family (The Nik's and Alex) for all their help with this rebuild. Without them I could not have done it myself.

Matt

 

[mkaenel]

and more pics

 

[73stallion]

front bumper looks great matt!

it's a wonder those monkeys are still building engines. how far off was the line bore on the mains? or was the deck out? now i'm nervous about mine again.....

 

[mkaenel]

The line bore was off just a little bit. But a little there can make a huge difference on how an engine will run and wear.

I wouldn't worry about your engine. If it hasn't broken yet it should be okay.

Matt

front bumper looks great matt!

it's a wonder those monkeys are still building engines. how far off was the line bore on the mains? or was the deck out? now i'm nervous about mine again.....

 

[mkaenel]

new pic's of progress...

Crank and cam are in the block and heads are painted.

Next is pistons/rods and heads installed.

Matt

 

[Viperwolf1]

What happened inside the old engine?

 

[mkaenel]

This is the same engine I had before. A piece of metal got in some where and destroyed 2 pistons.

As the engine was pulled apart the heads had low compression in the 3 and 4 cylinder. This lead to a head rebuild because the valves did not close properly.

Also, the block was not straight and had to be line honed.

New pistons will be ordered soon.

I am running out of time to complete the engine rebuild with our new baby due any day.

Matt

What happened inside the old engine?

 

[Viperwolf1]

That must have been some piece of metal to destroy 2 pistons. Possibly a couple bolts down the intake into numbers 3 and 4? Even on a new engine the crank centerline typically is not perfectly straight and the deck surface is not parallel.

 

[73stallion]

are you going a little more power, or staying the same? any special work done to the heads to help them breathe?

 

[cs_88]

Just curious, why are you going with forged pistons?

 

[mkaenel]

Sticking with the same set up.

are you going a little more power, or staying the same? any special work done to the heads to help them breathe?

 

[mkaenel]

Because it is how the engine was originally set up and it does have over sized valves in the heads and requires a certain type top of piston to flow the extra air.

When the engine ran it ran strong so I don't want to mess with how it was. Just rebuild it with the same specs but fix all the mistakes from the original builder.

Plus I am trying to get them to replace the pistons for free since I have had to repair their errors.

Matt

Just curious, why are you going with forged pistons?