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[Viral_Jim]

Reading James' thread on the BMW has really grabbed my interest in doing a project once our house move is complete (hopefully later this year). SWMBO has said absolutely minimal DIY on the next place so that will leave me with a lot of spare time on my hands. The first order of the day will be to sort, fettle and sell the kit car, to make some space, but once that's done I like the idea of a project to get my teeth into.

The thing is, I can do most maintenance on cars, Cam belts, suspension components, service items etc etc. However that's all pretty much just taking bits off, replacing some and putting the rest back where you found them  . That's very different to what James has been doing with lapping the valves, etc and my question on this is:

- For those of you that can, how did you learn to rebuild an engine?
- Are there any good resources available to learn how to perform a rebuild?
- How do you assess what components need to be replaced as part of a rebuild?

[Andy B]

....
 so that will leave me with a lot of spare time on my hands.  ....

  you think? 

[Viral_Jim]

you think? 

All things are relative andy . for the past three years I've been working full time plus and travelling for 25-30 weeks a year and renovating the house in the evenings and weekends. Its provided us with the kind of leg up we couldn't have gotten any other way but both SWMBO and I are determined to get off the merry go round for a year or two.

Although, on balance, you're probably going to be proved right 

[YZ250]

Reading James' thread on the BMW has really grabbed my interest in doing a project once our house move is complete (hopefully later this year). SWMBO has said absolutely minimal DIY on the next place so that will leave me with a lot of spare time on my hands. The first order of the day will be to sort, fettle and sell the kit car, to make some space, but once that's done I like the idea of a project to get my teeth into.

The thing is, I can do most maintenance on cars, Cam belts, suspension components, service items etc etc. However that's all pretty much just taking bits off, replacing some and putting the rest back where you found them  . That's very different to what James has been doing with lapping the valves, etc and my question on this is:

- For those of you that can, how did you learn to rebuild an engine?
- Are there any good resources available to learn how to perform a rebuild?
- How do you assess what components need to be replaced as part of a rebuild?

I learnt by giving them a hard time as a teenager, blowing them up or seizing them up and then having to rebuild them. I worked in engineering so I was able to hone bores for oversize pistons, skim heads, replace shells etc. Nobody taught me as such but my Apprentice Master, an autocross racer who was also good with engines, gave me some guidance when required. He used to say "It's only a load of metal bits held together with bolts so get on with it". 

[Nick W]

The thing is, I can do most maintenance on cars, Cam belts, suspension components, service items etc etc. However that's all pretty much just taking bits off, replacing some and putting the rest back where you found them  . That's very different to what James has been doing with lapping the valves, etc and my question on this is:

- For those of you that can, how did you learn to rebuild an engine?
- Are there any good resources available to learn how to perform a rebuild?
- How do you assess what components need to be replaced as part of a rebuild?

In order:


by blowing one up, and having to fix it.
There are a number of books meant for stupid Americans; How to rebuild a small block Chevy is a good start.
Rebuild is easy: replace ALL of the wear parts - pistons and rings(in new bores), bearings, gaskets, seals, pumps and cams. That's expensive so you lower your standards: bearings are cheap, rebores aren't so you need to be more critical. Books like the one I suggested give decent ways of evaluating what you have, and the machine shop you intend to use should advise further.

[X30XE]

Reading James' thread on the BMW has really grabbed my interest in doing a project once our house move is complete (hopefully later this year). SWMBO has said absolutely minimal DIY on the next place so that will leave me with a lot of spare time on my hands. The first order of the day will be to sort, fettle and sell the kit car, to make some space, but once that's done I like the idea of a project to get my teeth into.

The thing is, I can do most maintenance on cars, Cam belts, suspension components, service items etc etc. However that's all pretty much just taking bits off, replacing some and putting the rest back where you found them  . That's very different to what James has been doing with lapping the valves, etc and my question on this is:

- For those of you that can, how did you learn to rebuild an engine?
- Are there any good resources available to learn how to perform a rebuild?
- How do you assess what components need to be replaced as part of a rebuild?

1. I'm still learning, but just getting on with it is the only way to start understanding it thoroughly
2. Youtube / Google. There are no new problems and all that...
3. Measurements, Visual inspection, Measurements and more measurements. Specs & tolerances checked from workshop manuals.

[STEMO]

Work on an engine? Why? 

[Entwood]

Few years time "working on an engine" will probably just involve changing the brushes in each wheel drive motor ....... 

then they'll all go "brushless" and there'll be nowt to do at all !! 

[STEMO]

Few years time "working on an engine" will probably just involve changing the brushes in each wheel drive motor ....... 

then they'll all go "brushless" and there'll be nowt to do at all !! 

Oh yes, the manufacturers are bound to let us get away with that. Not.

[Doctor Gollum]

Few years time "working on an engine" will probably just involve changing the brushes in each wheel drive motor ....... 

then they'll all go "brushless" and there'll be nowt to do at all !! 

Oooh, a cynic...

[Bigron]

Jimmy, do you have a particular engine in mind to rebuild? Just as an economy tip, if the bores are not too well worn, you could get away with new piston rings, specifically with oil control rings and a top "ridge-dodger" ring which has a step at the very top to avoid clouting the unworn part of the bore at top dead centre. Then of course renew the bearing shells if they are not too worn, re-seat the valves, new valve stem washers and springs and away you go!

Ron.

[Viral_Jim]

Jimmy, do you have a particular engine in mind to rebuild?

Thanks Ron 

No, but I do have a type. A big capacity American v6 or v8. Basically SWMBO and I are planning on an American day van/camper van project to use for weekend trips to Cornwall and longer trips to the continent.

Please be aware that this idea doesn't stand up to any kind of empirical scrutiny vs the options of a) a caravan or b) converting a transit/vivaro/t5 etc etc. However, I don't actually want any of those things, I do want a big comfy American v8 with sofa-like captains chairs to take myself, SWMBO and 2 French bulldogs to all corners of the uk & Europe 

I also figure these are going to be an easy(ish) engine to work on, built of pig iron and with engineering tolerances in inches 

[Bigron]

Sounds great! All the old-fashioned and traditional techniques will come into play, too - have fun rebuilding it.   

Ron.

[Viral_Jim]

Thanks!

I think actually buying it will be 18months down the line, probably as a winter project. But seeing as I can't weld and lack a lot of the skills necessary to rebuild even a basic engine and transmission combo, I figure I've got plenty of homework to do 

If I were buying tomorrow, I'd have a serious look at this little number:

http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C790877

Although a respect would be mandatory 

[78bex]

Figuring out why a simple motor doesn`t work is a good stepping stone to the bigger stuff

I think the first engine I tried to strip & rebuild was a 4 stroke Suffolk Punch L/mower engine
Made loads of mistakes & broke one of the piston rings & forgot to keep tabs of what went where.   I learnt a lot from that project.

I`ve tackled outboard motors & motor cycle engines.
 
now I can`t stand seeing ppl binning petrol strimmers & mowers at the tip