Can I/Should I rebuild an engine myself?
Dec 27, 2016, 08:12 PM
#1
Can I/Should I rebuild an engine myself?
I am in the process of tearing apart an engine that I'm putting into a project. I got the head and block resurfaced already. Question is, would I be able to rebuild it myself? I'd consider myself an advanced DIY'er, did everything from timing belt jobs to clutch jobs. But never something like rebuilding an engine. By rebuilding I mean putting in new bearings, gaskets, piston rings, etc. It's not rocket science is it? Main bearings should just pop into place (with lubrication of course) and everything has to just be torqued to specs right? I'd have no doubt in rebuilding say a civic engine, but then again this is no civic. Any thoughts/advice?
Dec 27, 2016, 08:33 PM
#2
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (1)
Not rocket science. Get a good torque wrench, feeler gauge set, ring grinder, and either a good micrometer and bore gauge for rod bearing/main clearance, or you can use plasti-gauge. And follow the instructions. Your machine shop will handle building the head and setting piston to wall clearance. It's really just putting it together from there, and making sure the pistons clear the oil jets and the rods clear the block.
Dec 28, 2016, 08:30 AM
#5
It's just gonna be a stock block rebuild with full bolt ons. My plan is no more than 450-500HP. (Anywhere from an IX to 6266 turbo at best with possible e85 dual map) Would stock main/rod clearance dimensions work? Or should I get more clearance? I've read that the stock block can safely handle around 450HP right? At what point will it start being not reliable? The goal is a fun daily, with a good balance between reliability and power.
Last edited by Evo47; Jan 21, 2017 at 10:13 PM.
Dec 28, 2016, 08:57 AM
#6
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (1)
With the correct rods and pistons in it, the block itself will handle 800-900whp before needing to be filled. The stock crank will handle more.
If you're really only shooting for 450-500, you don't need a built motor.
If you're really only shooting for 450-500, you don't need a built motor.
Dec 28, 2016, 10:08 AM
#7
Only way to learn is by doing it yourself. Plenty of videos out there on building a 4g63 on youtube. Best advice I can give you is clean the block really really well before assemble. What I do is get a bucket of water with dawn dish detergent, bore brushes, and I clean every passage way and cylinder bores fast as hell. Spray the block down with water, blow everything dry with a compressor, and then coat everything with WD-40. From start to finish is 3-5 minutes. It will rust so do it fast. Another option is to spray all the passages out with brake cleaner and follow up with WD-40.
Your machinist SHOULD give you a clean block. From my experience they are never as clean as I want them to be.
Do your research, plenty of info out there to walk you through step by step.
Your machinist SHOULD give you a clean block. From my experience they are never as clean as I want them to be.
Do your research, plenty of info out there to walk you through step by step.
Trending Topics
Dec 28, 2016, 10:21 AM
#8
the evo is the car i learned on. Most people thought i was crazy for using it as my learner for engine removal, trans removal, rebuilds and replacement.
take your time and don't get to excited when you are making progress. good luck and let us know how it turns out!
take your time and don't get to excited when you are making progress. good luck and let us know how it turns out!
The following users liked this post:
Jahtoot (Nov 24, 2023)
Dec 29, 2016, 06:39 PM
#12
Evolved Member
Dec 30, 2016, 09:36 AM
#15
Alright I'm gonna try it out for myself, if anything goes wrong I have a spare head and block that I'll have a professional do. So I already bought an oem gasket set. What brand of bearings and piston rings should I look at? And since this is going to be a near stock rebuild, should I get oem clearance bearings or ones with extra clearance? And what should the clearance be at main/crank and the crank/rods?