The only experience I have with rebuilding engines is performance oriented. Evos, DSM's, KA-T's. But now for just a reliable car I am rebuilding a 2000 civic that was givin to me with an engine failure.

With a turbo charged engine you want more of a piston ring end gap due to heat expansion. But an excessive amout causes blowby.

With a "normal" engine. Do you want to have the endgap at the minimum or at the maximum of the manufacturer's specs?

Also, does anyone know any tricks to rebuild an engine for better gas mileage? Can certain emissions be deleted to increase mileage? Maybe advance the timing at the distributor?


Thanks,
John