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Do you always rebuild the whole engine?
If it's the rings that are failing, I only do the bottom end. 0 (0%)
If it's the valves that are failing, I only rebuild or get a rebuilt head as the rings will probably take longer to go. 0 (0%)
If it's the rings that are failing, I will usually do both because the head will probably go soon anyway. 2 (13.3%)
If anything requires me to remove the head, I'll usually replace everything while I'm in there. 13 (86.7%)
Total Votes: 15
When you only need to do one end.....; top end rebuild, bottom end rebuild ?
Topic Started: Feb 8 2012, 01:51 PM (828 Views)
BillHoo
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Just wondering the logic behind other folks engine rebuilds.

Chime in with any thoughts or options not covered in the poll.
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idmetro
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My current thinking (always subject to change) is that if there is >100k on the engine I will simply do it all.
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LukeJ88
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Elite Member
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From experience, do them both. It'll save you a headache and some $$$ down the road. If you're taking of the head, drop the oil pan and hone/ring/wear bearings.
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72gremlinx


I say do it all its a 3 cyl how hard could it be!
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

If you have 135K on the clock, do it all. Rings, bearings, seals, new valves, gaskets, yada, yada, yada...........
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bennie442


BillHoo, since you didn't clarify why you wanted to know one way or the other about which end to build, (ie. it burns oil, no compression on a cylinder, etc.) I'm curious as to what your problem is. Without anything to go by except your query, my vote is to do both. I mean, after all, your are gonna have the engine apart for either one, so why not save some time and bucks and do them both?
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Woodie
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The only valid reason to only do one is if you did the other last month and you've now learned your lesson.
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BillHoo
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bennie442
Feb 8 2012, 07:38 PM
BillHoo, since you didn't clarify why you wanted to know one way or the other about which end to build, (ie. it burns oil, no compression on a cylinder, etc.) I'm curious as to what your problem is. Without anything to go by except your query, my vote is to do both. I mean, after all, your are gonna have the engine apart for either one, so why not save some time and bucks and do them both?
It's pretty clear the poll is for YOUR decision making process. Hence, the FOUR different choices and open to chime in with other directions it could go. Based on YOUR past experiences. Think of it as YOUR car.

But if you insist. I'm already planning a bottom end rebuild. My more detailed threads on this are in other forums here.

Dry 175-60-180

Wet 180-180-180

Trying to justify shelling out another $250 for a rebuilt head and the hassle of sending back the core.

Between the cost of the 89 Metro I bought and handed over to MetroSchultz last year to repair and this 93 that I'm trying to pass smog testing on, I might as well have bought a 2000 Prius for $4000 (newer, more comfortable car, good inspection sticker for another couple years, fewer defects - at least for a while)

Gosh! Where does it end? Might as well look at the transmission while I'm down there, and replace the water pump. If the belts are off....


.... And yea, I'm getting the impression many of you have considered it a BIG mistake when you only did one end, only to need to open the car up again a few months later. But I'm a cheap b@st@rd and fly by the seat of my pants kinda guy, otherwise, I woulda bought that Prius.
Edited by BillHoo, Feb 9 2012, 09:45 AM.
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Horn


But wont the prius need new batteries soon? Another 5k...
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tomi14robie
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Years ago, the first thing i did with any car or motorcycle was to take the head of and do the valves and decoke,this obviously raised the compression,low and behold the next thing was the big end would be knocking !
It is best to do the complete engine if you can afford to,100k mls. is nothing for a car these days,i considered they are just run in at that mileage.
The last car i owned had 180k on it and was still running very well and used no oil or water,ive got a small motorcycle that is 26 yrs old and i use it almost every day,its never had the head off yet and it runs very well and starts first time,it does use a little oil but it is manageable.
tom
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vr4


i dont fix it if it aint broke.

if i followed the theory that "if were this far might as well do the rest of it" i would be called a scammer and be accused of ripping someone off.


ive built 5 engines of my own doing just what was needed and 4 never had a problem. the only one that would be considered slightly problematic is my own doing by pushing too much boost into an engine not designed for it. pushes the main caps off the block and wipes out the bearings.
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Freaky_1
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uhuh
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Personally, I won't "just re-ring" an engine.

In some situations I'll do minor head work and stop there if it's my only reason, but not just rings.

If I'm rebuilding a head, I'm doing the bottom.
If I'm doing the bottom, I'm thoroughly checking the head and least lapping valves /seals.

If I'm taking a ring off a piston, I'm rebuilding an engine.
Not everyone's way, but after 40 years of having the doctors check my grease pressure and me changing the car's blood filter, it's my way.
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Old Man


If I gotta pull the head the least I will do is lap the valves in, replace the
valve seals and inspect the lifters.----and----according to miles it is really
cheap to replace rod bearing and rings.

and....once again ACCORDING TO MILES.....replace all seals, gaskets,
timing belt, inspect water pump and oil pump...............................
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