questions..rebuilding engine

[techsan23]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

Dont forget new rocker arm bolts, throttle body gasket and rear cover gasket. I know you are supposed to use loctite on the flywheel bolts and crankshaft pulley bolt.

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

Dont forget new rocker arm bolts, throttle body gasket and rear cover gasket. I know you are supposed to use loctite on the flywheel bolts and crankshaft pulley bolt.

cool thanks forgot about the throttle body gasket. Got the rear cover gasket.

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

OK I passed out early and woke up at midnight unable to sleep soo of course I put on my dirty clothes Ive been using while working on stuff and did some late-night wrenching! lol

I got the exhaust manifolds off (what a PITA!) I think just so I dont have to deal with putting them back on I am going to get some headers. Seriously.

Got the heads off, found a couple more sensors to unplug.
Removed the driveshaft, torque arm, shifter linkage and wiring.

Everything is ready to pull the motor/tranny. Now I need to find someone to borrow an engine lift from. Neighbor said he would let me borrow his engine stand. He always borrows my stuff so I figured Id ask him lol.

I went ahead and broke/loosened the motor mounts and transmission crossmember bolts.

I cant wait to get it out of there and on the engine stand!

Thanks for the tips guys.

FYI swivels and extensions are your friend :P I did some crazy combos with those throughout this whole thing lol.

Yall ever done this one? : Ratchet to short extension to swivel to long extension to swivel to socket and for more leverage another socket slid over the ratchet's handle with another socket slid over the extension for better grip? LOL

I swear my LS1 cars were soooo much easier to work on! Might swap one in here one day we'll see...

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

Got the engine and tranny out. Forgot to break the crank pulley bolt loose before removing the engine (doh!)

Since I cant tear down the engine tonight Im going to just clean all these nasty parts off and prep them for paint.

Started another thread on the crank bolt...its making me mad lol I cant get it off! I know I know shoulda done it before pulling the motor. :P Man I wish I hadda cuz I was all excited to tear the motor down.

Any help with the crank bolt would be appreciated, like I said I started another thread on it check it out.

Thanks

[v6mOtOrhEAdftOp]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

I thought I heard of someone using an impact on it, but I can't remember what they used to keep the crank from spinning...

[cam98aro]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

dont use loctite for engine internals, they make special stuff for that

how easy was it to take the engine out from the top? what all did you have to take off to make room?

also, the spark plugs are easy to change if you have the right tools

first time i did it, it took me about 1 and a half hours, now i could probably do it in half of the time because i know where everything is/what angles to get everything at

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

dont use loctite for engine internals, they make special stuff for that

OK cool thanks

how easy was it to take the engine out from the top? what all did you have to take off to make room?

Easy as pie with an engine lift, load leveler and a buddy to work the lift while I swing it around.

also, the spark plugs are easy to change if you have the right tools

first time i did it, it took me about 1 and a half hours, now i could probably do it in half of the time because i know where everything is/what angles to get everything at

Yeah now that I think about it I got some new swivels etc plugs shouldnt be too much after experiencing pulling the motor lol.

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

Was having trouble getting the main caps off at first...sat and thought about it and I went outside and got trhem off in less than 15 minutes with a 2x4, a rag, a screwdriver, and a mallet.

glad to finally have it completely torn down... Now I just need to have the block touched up, degrease it etc and paint it. I am waiting for the main bolts and rod bolts to come in.

I ordered the ARP Pro Series connecting rod bolts....fingured I should since Im going to spray the motor. I want to see what the stock pistons can take...need to do more research on that....

I also ordered a new oil pan because the old one was nasty and dented by th previous person who rebuilt the engine...no wonder I kept losing oil and and ended up broke down.

BTW EVERY rod bearing spun!!! :o Tripped me out. Good thing I already got a new crankshaft. also because it had some wear on the journals.


Also got a set of Speed Pro Moly rings. yay.

All new speed pro lifters too not sure if I already stated that...

Also new water pump figure why not...its so cheap and worth it since its one more thing I wont have to degrease, strip, and paint.

Oh and I broke off the camshaft position sensor magnet on the cam gear...freakin almost $50!!! Oh well, they had it ont he shelf...BTW that cam gear bolt was ON THERE.

I currently have all the internal in my bedroom on a table so that they do not become rusty since I will not have the main bolts until Monday.

I dont know what to do about the engine...I amnot bringin that into my house. Hopeully the cam bearings to not get any rust on them...I coated everything liberally with WD-40, hope that helps..

[cam98aro]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

you're not replacing the cam bearings?

i def. would you can take the block to a machine shop and they will replace them for you for $40 (totally worth the money if you dont have the tool which costs about $60)

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

you're not replacing the cam bearings?

i def. would you can take the block to a machine shop and they will replace them for you for $40 (totally worth the money if you dont have the tool which costs about $60)

Actually yes I was just checking on the price for that at the machine shop. I am going to have the block hot tanked so might as well while I am there...

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

Ok so I just got the block and heads back form the machine shop.

the bolts arrived at the dealership, but its missing one main bolt...should be here any day...projects on hold till then but thats fine since Im still painting and polishing stuff. At least I have that to do in the meantime.

Also got the cam bearings in today. and the brass freeze plugs.

I am doing some polishing on the front cover...I love the way it looks...once I can find the aluminum polish and finish it up I will post pics.

sanded and painted the idler, power steering, and water pump pullies. Also sanded and painted the power steering pump, sanded the idler bracket...dont think I am going to paint that, I want to see if I can hit it with the polish and make it shine a little. Going to do the same with the A/C compressor bracket and idler.

Degreased the alternator, not going to paint that either since its easy to take off later...probably just get a new shiny one eventually.

sanded and painted the motor mounts and tranny line holders...

polished the oil pump

sanded and painted that black plastic thing that goes arond the crank behind the crank pulley..

Tonight I might, might wheel the engine inside and watch TV while I hit the block with the scotchbrite discs and wash it s it's ready for paint. Might started porting the heads tomorrow...not sure yet.

Anyways, thats it for now I guess...just glad I have everything in front of me and all the parts are organized and labeled so the install goes smoothly. :)

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

well painted the engine block chevy orange and put a ton of clearcoat over it.

painted the the idler pulley bracket and the a/c compressor bracket cast aluminum w/ clearcoat also.

heads are disassembled and looks like I am getting new valve guides and maybe new valves, gonna check those tomorrow.

I need to have the mains align honed and the cylinders honed as well. I do not like the shop that hot tanked the block and heads becuase the were courteous enough to leave the block and heads wet overnight(didnt blow themout with compressed air) so the block was completely covered in rust, so I had to remove that myself. I wasnt about to let them have my stuff for another minute if they cant do something that basic task lol.

So tomorrow is Saturday so I guess I will have to wait until Monday to call or visit a couple machine shops to find one that seems clean and professional. I was going to order som coated pistons but I need to wait until the bores are checked. That way if I need to bore it over I get the right size pistons lol.

anyways until next time...

[Chris Stone]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

what all did you have to take off to make room?

Soory I just realized I never answered this part of your question. Sorry!

I basically took everything off. All accessories and brackets for the alternator, a/c compressor, A/C canister, power steering pump, I disconnected the steering shaft to make it easier although you might be able to get it out without doing that but hey its a snap-off cover and two bolts, why not?

Removing the heads I think is necessary for removing the engine from the top...I barely had enough room for the load leveler with them off...

I left the water pump and front cover on.

I strongly suggest breaking the crank pulley bolt loose BEFORE removing the engine! I forgot to and it was a PITA. If you dont/didnt stick an extension through one of the small holes in the flywheel to keep the crank from rotating and soak the bolt with WD-40 then smack the bolt a few times(a lot for me) with a mallet or hammer or something but try not to moosh the bolt. That will make your socket not fit anymore.

This actually worked for me because the socket wasnt quite a tight fit so I mooshed the bolt then hammered the socket on there, THEN put the long breaker bar on and it came right off with a few good tugs.

You get stuck or have any questions while you are taking it out PM me or post up here I usually check me email often.

-Chris

[cam98aro]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

Soory I just realized I never answered this part of your question. Sorry!

I basically took everything off. All accessories and brackets for the alternator, a/c compressor, A/C canister, power steering pump, I disconnected the steering shaft to make it easier although you might be able to get it out without doing that but hey its a snap-off cover and two bolts, why not?

Removing the heads I think is necessary for removing the engine from the top...I barely had enough room for the load leveler with them off...

I left the water pump and front cover on.

I strongly suggest breaking the crank pulley bolt loose BEFORE removing the engine! I forgot to and it was a PITA. If you dont/didnt stick an extension through one of the small holes in the flywheel to keep the crank from rotating and soak the bolt with WD-40 then smack the bolt a few times(a lot for me) with a mallet or hammer or something but try not to moosh the bolt. That will make your socket not fit anymore.

This actually worked for me because the socket wasnt quite a tight fit so I mooshed the bolt then hammered the socket on there, THEN put the long breaker bar on and it came right off with a few good tugs.

You get stuck or have any questions while you are taking it out PM me or post up here I usually check me email often.

-Chris

hah, thanks.. im just waiting for my engine to blow up so i can stick a carbed SBC in there.. hopefully it wont be anytime soon

[97rs4life]

Re: questions..rebuilding engine

what no pics of all the cleanded up and painted goodies?