Rebuilding/reassambling an engine... too hard?

[RomanV]

Hi there folks.

Basically, I have a completely disassembled engine that I am planning on reassembling more or less by myself.
I will have new pistons, new gaskets, new cambelt and tensioner, etc. etc.

The amount of tools that I have to do this with is quite limited. Anything that requires specialised tools or machinery, I wont be able to do. So I will have to pay someone else to do.
Or at the very least, consult some friends/family with more experience than me.

So... What should I get done professionally? I mean it seems stupid to pay someone to stick on the alternator, waterpump, cambelt, etc etc.

I was thinking that it might be a good idea to get the bottom end assembled by someone else first?
I know basically what goes on, but I dont know if there are any hidden pitfalls to look out for.

I know that this might be one of those 'If you have to ask, you wont be able to do it' threads. But there are a lot of simple tasks to do that seem straightfoward, that I dont want to pay someone else to do.

So what do you think?

I figure that so long as I take things veeeery slowly, ask lots of questions, and double check everything, there is no reason why I cant do a lot of the tasks by myself.

Regards
Dave

[shazeal]

Ive rebuilt a couple of engines myself. Its scary at first but what Ive learnt is. Triple check everything, stripping down the engine because you forgot a seal/nut sucks. Get all the machining done by a recommended engineer not just anybody. Buy a decent torque wrench and socket set.

If your budget is tight dont bother buying cheap tools just find someone to borrow some decent ones from.

[Dell'Orto]

I think the trickiest part would be reassembling the head, if thats all in bits (and your one is eh?). That sorta thing I'd be more tempted to leave to the pros. The bottom end isnt so hard, just take your time and remember the 6 c's and you cant go wrong.
Oh, and having a workshop manual will help no end with torque settings etc

[ee904age]

Yeah, Mmm,boost is right, so long as you have a decent torque wrench then you should be able to put the bottom end together yourself. The valves/springs are a bitch to put back in without the proper tools and experience, so Id get that done by the pros.

And dont skimp on cleaning, your internals can never be too clean.
Oh and use plenty of assembly lube.

[matt dunn]

One special tool you will need to do the bottom end unless someone has any bright idea's is a tool to compress the piston rings to get the piston to slide into the bore.

Not really some thing that you want to lever in with a srew driver.
Dont know if it's possible to squeeze them enough with your hands?


Depends on how big a gripper you are, lol

Matt

[ee904age]

Im the mean gripper! I just got mine in by hand, it was a long painful process though, so Id suggest payin the $20 odd for a ring compressor.

And although you said your doing gaskets etc, dont forget the front and rear main seals, which may or may not come in your gasket set.

[RomanV]

Thanks for the input! Thankfully, the head is assembled, after being checked by the nice fellas at Lynn Rogers workshop. Its even got the fuel rail etc. All still on it.

So I should be more or less sweet I think, I cant get an engine manual for the engine, but the earlier model engine has the same torque specs, and I can get a manual for that.

And dont worry. If I get stuck, you guys will probably be the first to hear about it.

[kingcorolla]

ee90, pat on the back mate. what a mish!

To tell the truth, when rebuilding engines i have found money is well spent on shortblock prepping. Id reccomend to take just your shortblock to a good reconditioners for some balancing, aligning, honing etc. Also they will check clearences with new bearings etc.

and you have the re-assurance of build quality afterwards. Worth the money if building a motor to peform.