What do you replace when rebuilding an engine?

Question

Please don't flame this questions, because I know if i dont know the answer " I shouldn't even bother doing it myself " but I have alot of time & an extra car I just picked up & I would like to learn. I am young, so I have time during the summer. I bought a 1985 Honda Prelude with a dual carberated 1.8L I think it's an ET Engine. My other car ( daily driver ) is a 89 Civic with a rebuilt ZC engine w/ a Si/Zc transmission & I love it so much It made me buy another Honda just to "play" with because I dont want to mess up my daily driver!!

I bought the 1985 Prelude from a junk lot (they get alot of DUI vehicles) The engine is seems very strong, doesnt make any wierd sounds & it runs great. The body is in shape besides usual fender rust on front & back fenders and the rear quarter pannels are eaten pretty bad with rust. It was about to be smashed, so in all i saved this cars life & I am wanting to bring some life back into the car.

I would like to replace most parts internal & external, the longer of a list is better! Thank you all so much

Answer 1

the first and most important step to rebuilding an engine is to find an automotive mechine shop that is reliable.
second pull engine from car and disasemble.
note when removing main bearing caps and rod bearing caps mark each such that they can be reinstalled in the correct postion. this is critical if the main bearing caps are reintalled in the wrong position this could effect the crank shaft line bored and cause excess wear and vibration in your rebuilt engine.
also rod bearing caps are machined to a rod. if the caps are installed on the wrong rod this would also cause excess wear and vibration.
take the engine block, crank shaft, rods and pistons to a machine shop. have them check the cylinder bore, line bore, deck height and cam bore. have them clean and check pistons, rods on wrist pins. have them check crank shaft. once they have done that they can tell you what needs to be done to the block.
also take the head to the machine shop have them check the head for worpage then machine or replace as necessary. have them do a valve job and install bronze valve guide, don't let them talk you into knereling the valve guides this does not last.
as far as parts:
any parts that machine shop tests and say need replaced such as pistons, connection rods, crank shaft, valves
always replace the following
piston rings
rod bearings
main bearings
cam shaft
cam bearings
lifters
oil pump
oil filter
all gaskets and seals
freeze plugs
all rubber hoses and rubber vaccum lines
replace or have radiator flushed
replace any other items that are worn or damaged.
find a good shop manual for assembly instructions and specification.
NOTE: when installing new piston rings follow specifications for placement of rings they are postion critical if installed wrong the engine will never seal properly and use oil.

Answer 2

Rebuilding An Engine

Answer 3

Generally, when rebuilding an engine, the parts that are refurbished and/or replaced include: Bearings, seals, gaskets, piston rings and the valves are ground and reset. Keep in mind that you'll need a fairly complete set of tools, including a torque wrench and a shop manual in order to follow the proper procedures and specifications. You'll also probably need the services of a good machine shop (to hone the cylinders before installing new rings). I rebuilt my first engine in 1962 at the age of 14 with help from my dad, who was an airline mechanic (and he was an invaluable help); I'd ask around before starting the job. Maybe a few friends who know something about cars and/or engines could lend a hand?

Answer 4

Rebuilding A Motor

Answer 5

Personally I don't flame questions, because I am not a flamer.

I have built many motors in my day, from large V8s to little inline 4 cyl motors. As far as rebuilding your 85 Honda motor, it sounds like it doesn't need it, but if you do decide to do it, there are many parts that may need replacing, and many processes that can only be accomplished by a machine shop, not because you can't do it, but because you more than likely do not have the machinery they have. I will word this with the assumption that you have a basic understanding of tools and automotive mechanics in general, especially the safety precautions. It would be wise of you to buy a technical manual for your particular car, the best being the manufacturers "shop manuals". These are usually on eBay all the time, and I have bought several of them on there myself.

I would HIGHLY recommend doing some preliminary reading at your local library, and even talk to mechanics in the area that are willing to teach you what to do and not to do.

The first thing to do is to remove the engine from the car. You will need a "cherry picker" or engine hoist to do this. I would put it on an engine stand, which are readily available at any local auto parts store. Then you will begin initial tear down, taking care to keep all the bolts segregated so re-assembly is easier later. I would suggest ziploc bags and a sharpie marker for this, and also if you have a digital camera or video camera you can document parts of the tear down in case you forget where or how things go. Once you have the tear down complete, you can take the major components such as the block, head, crank, and other larger parts like the pistons/connecting (con) rods, and even oil pan and valve covers to the machine shop to get "tanked" which is where the parts are dunked in a large vat of chemicals at high temperature to get all the oil and paint and other contaminants off of them. The machinist will have many questions to ask you, and you will need to be able to answer them. Most machinists don't have too much of a problem explainign some things, but have at least a basic understanding of your motor and what you are looking to get out of it before you go there. They will do all the major machining of the parts like honing the cylinder bores, and align honing the crank bearing surfaces, and turning the crank. They typically will also install the new pistons on the con rods, and do the balancing of the major rotating assemblies. While all of this is being performed, you can go back home and clean all of the parts and bolts you took off of the motor during tear down. This will assure they are clean and fresh for installation. Then once you get all the parts back from the machine shop, you can put it together checking all the necessary clearances, and putting in all new gaskets for everything. Then put on all the new parts you may have gotten for it like water pump, timing belt, injectors, and whatever new sensors you decided to replace. Once the motor is together about as far as it was when you took it apart, put it back in the engine bay and bolt it up. There are special things needed for the first startup, but if you do the reading in the library I suggested earlier, this should be no problem. Good luck to you and your project.

Answer 6

First you need the skill to use tools properly, so take a basic class at a Jr. College. Or get a couple of good manuals on engine rebuilding and carefully read prior to starting. Dissemble engine, clean everything and have block and head checked at a machine shop for trueness to specification. Same for crank and pistons, Once all to spec assemble per instructions using assembly lube and carefully follow a toque specs. Once assembled and ready to start, remove all spark plugs and crank to build oil pressure. this assures complete lubrication, the start it up. Good luck.

Answer 7

Here is a list of the parts normally replaced on a good running high mileage engine.
Piston Rings
Rod Bearings
Main Bearings
Cam Bearings
Timing belt/chain
All gaskets and seals
In addition the valves should be inspected resurfaced/replaced, the pistons should be inspected/replaced, the crankshaft inspected/re machined. the cylinder bores inspected and honed or re bored.

Answer 8

Clean everything up and good at it good and hard. Replace anything that is worn. Pistons look good, and are within specs for the car? Put on new rings and use them. Any question about their condition? Replace with new ones. Keep going with the next parts...

Probably new bearing throughout. Check the crank and cam really well. Heads okay? Not warped at all? Have fun.

Answer 9

I would start with the pistons, rings, valves, cam then start with the external stuff like the carb, and any other part needing change or rebuild, starter, alternator, waterpump all depends how much time you have and of course how much money you want to spend. I would say if you are doing this yourself invest in a chilton manual for this vehicle and a good set of tools; craftsman, snap-on Good luck

Answer 10

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What do you replace when rebuilding an engine?
Please don't flame this questions, because I know if i dont know the answer " I shouldn't even bother doing it myself " but I have alot of time & an extra car I just picked up & I would like to learn. I am young, so I have time during the summer. I bought a 1985 Honda Prelude with...