Engine rebuild methods

17th June 2013, 23:26

From your experience, what do you suggest is the, tidiest(if there's such thing), cleanest and most efficient way to strip an engine down for a complete rebuild. Taking into consideration bolt locations etc. looking for some tips as I shall be done my first full rebuild very shortly.
Thanks.

17th June 2013, 23:56

Depends on what engine and how much you want to replace,it's such a vague and varying question there's not gonna be any real way if answering it

It's like saying how would you build a car

Or how would you build a house, far too many details

17th June 2013, 23:58

I just wanted tips on how people remember where things go, I.e. do they draw a diagram, place bolts down as they take them out, photos? Etc

18th June 2013, 00:09

just take bit by bit off, and keep the appropriate nuts and bolts with it
easiest way tbh

18th June 2013, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali123

just take bit by bit off, and keep the appropriate nuts and bolts with it
easiest way tbh

That's probably what I'll do, thanks

18th June 2013, 00:23

Take plenty pics and bag nuts and bolts for each part and label them,

Fair play to anyone who wants a go, but some things should not be tackled without alot of research at very least

18th June 2013, 00:26

I've been researching for a while, first engine rebuild, but I'm competent in most sectors, just rebuilt and replace the gearbox on my work van as I blew the diff to pieces.. There's a first time for everything I guess, at the young age of 20 I have some spare time and money to spend on making this a serious project, I will be making a progress thread so keep an eye out

18th June 2013, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by KieranHopkins

I've been researching for a while, first engine rebuild, but I'm competent in most sectors, just rebuilt and replace the gearbox on my work van as I blew the diff to pieces.. There's a first time for everything I guess, at the young age of 20 I have some spare time and money to spend on making this a serious project, I will be making a progress thread so keep an eye out

first time for everything mate, but like has been said just keep everything in order and take your time with it

18th June 2013, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali123

first time for everything mate, but like has been said just keep everything in order and take your time with it

Thanks mate, appreciate it.

18th June 2013, 08:59

Just eat lots of curries before and during, Keep those plastic tubs they come in.

Label each tub and put the appropriate nuts and bolts in each.

Also get a tipex pen or something to label bigger bits up

18th June 2013, 09:34

I have plenty of them already

thanks mate, appreciated

18th June 2013, 12:10

remove the engine first and get an engine stand makes access a million times easier for starters!

then take loads of pictures as your removing bits, label everything (i just use masking tape and pencil and put nuts and bolts in labelled jiffy bags) its worth getting a Haynes manual for torque settings especially for head bolts when you come to reassemble it

it all depends on how far you want to go with the rebuild, are you just looking to replace all the gaskets, or just head work (valve guides, skimmed head, port/polish) or the entire engine i.e. bearings, piston rings and ancillaries?

Haynes will give you plenty of information, and the beauty of taking pictures when you get stuck you can always revert back to them or post them on here someone's usually bound to know what it is (providing you've got a decent camera)

18th June 2013, 12:48

if you have rebuilt a gearbox, and engine will be easy

18th June 2013, 15:26

Personally, leave the engine built, strip the bay down, then lift the engine out and strip/rebuild it on an engine stand next to a work bench and a parts washer.

18th June 2013, 17:09

I do it in sections. And lay parts out on a clean work bench topped with paper (for oil residue)

So for example I plan to rebuild the bottom end off comes the head and it gets put to one side all bolts/ nuts put back where they came from in head.
Strip bottom end and rebuild.
The tackle the head. Re-grind valves ect.

I do it this way if I have to rebuild an engine/ head at work. (Mechanic by trade )