Quick engine rebuild question - Head work

[solitaire]

Hi - I didn't search this time, I am not really sure how to search for an answer to this.

My question is: Is there any harm in rebuilding the head of a smallport 4age without looking at the bottom end?

The intention is to rebuild the bottom end in the not too distant future, but I would like to do the head first.

Thoughts?

[levinguy]

how long is the not to distant future?

surely would be best to do it all at the same time, i wouldn't want to be reusing a headgasket if it could be avoided for a few months

[solitaire]

how long is the not to distant future?

surely would be best to do it all at the same time, i wouldn't want to be reusing a headgasket if it could be avoided for a few months

Good point,

It would be about 6 months, main reason is that i'm going to have a go at this myself and did not want to bite off too much at once (as i did with my mr2), but if its generally a stupid idea I will just bite the bullet and go the whole hog.

[levinguy]

how long is the not to distant future?

surely would be best to do it all at the same time, i wouldn't want to be reusing a headgasket if it could be avoided for a few months

Good point,

It would be about 6 months, main reason is that i'm going to have a go at this myself and did not want to bite off too much at once (as i did with my mr2), but if its generally a stupid idea I will just bite the bullet and go the whole hog.

buy a 2nd hand engine with a blown head gasket or something and do it in the weekends then swap it over when you have a few days for things to go wrong if you are not confident

[Grrrrrrr!]

The only downside to doing head first, apart from the double handling and consumables already raised, is that there is a tiny remote chance that something in the bottom end lets go and takes your head with it.

Above suggestion of buying spare head/engine is best idea IMO.
that way the car is still driveable throughout, which I think helps with motivation. Nothing worse than having a car sitting for 6 months without driving it to make you lose motivation to work on it.

[Quint]

Do it in one, imo, bottom end is a lot easier to rebuild than a head and as been said, you can't re-use a head gasket which is one of the more expensive components. Would also be wary of buying 2nd hand engine etc. too many shiet engines been sold off as 'good' these days, sometimes best just to stick with the one you know.

I've got some of the fine plastigauge if you want, had to buy a whole box to get one stick. Cost me the same as the bearings. :/ *sigh*

[Dell'Orto]

^ the $&#$%? Who made you buy a whole box??

[allencr]

Is there any harm in rebuilding the head of a smallport 4age without looking at the bottom end?

No in & of it self, of course not.
Only harm is to you, in time & $$ or to the engine if you F something up like abrasives/sandpaper in the cylinders, broken bolts/sensors/terminals/, overheating from loose clamp/hose, and shortening the bottom ends life because now you're going to run it harder 'trying it out'!