- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
As I view the effects of 17yrs & 235K of combustion events on the inner block walls (and I haven't even taken the pan off, yet!), I'm starting to think that I might put myself in a good spot to at least clean (hot tank) the block, and maybe more.
Reviewing my inbound parts orders, I've got enough invested that I'd certainly be p!ssed if I damaged the motor b/c of insufficiently cleaning the bottom end.
(Note -- I knew what I was in for, cost-wise, before I got this far. No surprises, there, as I'd been planning this for awhile. The 'surprise' was seeing the interior of the engine, and realizing maybe I was being short-sighted.)
So... while my plan was originally to leave the bottom end alone... I'm now planning on dropping the oil pan & cleaning it and the pickup tube, etc. (myself). But now I'm thinking... maybe I should just bite the bullet (time / effort), pull the block, and have it hot tanked.
Unfortunately, I've not dealt w/ a machine shop on a block (assuming I can find one open right now), so I'm kind of in the dark as to what I can / should get.
My 'perfect world'... They take the assembled short block (which has no known issues), hot tank it (which means new cam bearings get installed by default), clean everything up and validate everything looks / measures good, then reassemble, re-hone, etc. (whatever 'etc' is) The engine runs strong now, and shows little actual 'wear' (so far)
Guessing that besides the cam bearings, I should re-ring the pistons & crank bearings? But if not, I'm ok w/ reusing the crank bearings. Not thinking I should disassemble the pistons & then re-use the rings. This is where my knowledge of engine building hits the wall. I know rods should not be reused - does it count when they're going back in the same block / rotating assy? Same for pistons?
If the above isn't feasible, then I'm thinking if I'm on the hook for pistons & rods, I might as well go for the whole enchilada and get a stroker crank to go along with the other goodies. But I would do this if no other real option, as I know it's gonna get reaaally spendy, reaaally fast. Like $3500 - $4000 spendy, with parts / labor / machining.
So... my options as I see it are...
- Clean the block myself, w/o disassembling the bottom end. "It'll be fine"
- Hot tank & reassemble (minimum job on their end; I can put it back together, as well)
- The above, plus new rings, crank bearings, etc. (not confident of my own ability to fit rings to pistons, tbh)
- Screw it -- in for the penny, in for the pound, and spend the $4 grand (I really don't want to do this)
What's a feasible option, if I'm willing to spend, say, up to $1000 all-in (including the hoist and engine stand I'm gonna need on my end) ?
I know some here have done engines, and value their opinions. Maybe I'll get lucky and @Paul Bell will stop by and take a look at this thread, too -- I know he's got a lot of experience, here.
Reviewing my inbound parts orders, I've got enough invested that I'd certainly be p!ssed if I damaged the motor b/c of insufficiently cleaning the bottom end.
(Note -- I knew what I was in for, cost-wise, before I got this far. No surprises, there, as I'd been planning this for awhile. The 'surprise' was seeing the interior of the engine, and realizing maybe I was being short-sighted.)
So... while my plan was originally to leave the bottom end alone... I'm now planning on dropping the oil pan & cleaning it and the pickup tube, etc. (myself). But now I'm thinking... maybe I should just bite the bullet (time / effort), pull the block, and have it hot tanked.
Unfortunately, I've not dealt w/ a machine shop on a block (assuming I can find one open right now), so I'm kind of in the dark as to what I can / should get.
My 'perfect world'... They take the assembled short block (which has no known issues), hot tank it (which means new cam bearings get installed by default), clean everything up and validate everything looks / measures good, then reassemble, re-hone, etc. (whatever 'etc' is) The engine runs strong now, and shows little actual 'wear' (so far)
Guessing that besides the cam bearings, I should re-ring the pistons & crank bearings? But if not, I'm ok w/ reusing the crank bearings. Not thinking I should disassemble the pistons & then re-use the rings. This is where my knowledge of engine building hits the wall. I know rods should not be reused - does it count when they're going back in the same block / rotating assy? Same for pistons?
If the above isn't feasible, then I'm thinking if I'm on the hook for pistons & rods, I might as well go for the whole enchilada and get a stroker crank to go along with the other goodies. But I would do this if no other real option, as I know it's gonna get reaaally spendy, reaaally fast. Like $3500 - $4000 spendy, with parts / labor / machining.
So... my options as I see it are...
- Clean the block myself, w/o disassembling the bottom end. "It'll be fine"
- Hot tank & reassemble (minimum job on their end; I can put it back together, as well)
- The above, plus new rings, crank bearings, etc. (not confident of my own ability to fit rings to pistons, tbh)
- Screw it -- in for the penny, in for the pound, and spend the $4 grand (I really don't want to do this)
What's a feasible option, if I'm willing to spend, say, up to $1000 all-in (including the hoist and engine stand I'm gonna need on my end) ?
I know some here have done engines, and value their opinions. Maybe I'll get lucky and @Paul Bell will stop by and take a look at this thread, too -- I know he's got a lot of experience, here.
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