Rebuilding Super Eta bottom end...

[Sean]

Hey guys,

This summer, when I get out of college around May, I'll be heading home, at which point I'm planning on rebuilding the bottom end of my Super Eta engine, possible decking the block a tiny bit, and throwing my I top end on it to make myself a stroker.

However, I've been looking at everything, and I'm not quite sure exactly what I need to buy to do a thorough job doing this. For starters, the reason I'm doing this is because my engine has 218,000 miles on it (will be close to 220,000 by May most likely), and a compression test showed 165-165-165-125-130-145 or something along those lines. It could have been valve seals, but I didn't feel like testing further - I just figured it'd be fun to do a rebuild.

A couple pieces I already have for my bottom end:
- New Oil Pump
- New Oil Pan Gasket

Other than that, I don't have anything purchased for the bottom end yet. I'm obviously going to be reusing my pistons, from my 1988 Super Eta engine. So, here are my questions.

- Which piston rings should I buy?
- Should I buy new connecting rods - and if so, which ones?
- Which bearings should I buy?
- What work should I have done to the block (such as in the cylinder wells)? Should I bother having the block decked?
- Is it safe to have a machine shop resurface/regrind my crankshaft, or should I just use it as is?
- Do bolts holding everything together within the bottom end need replacing?
- Can I put in new freeze plugs myself - or should I even bother?
- What's the best way to paint the block? (I just want to do black)
- The Bentley says to buy new Piston pin circlips - are these cheap?

Basically, I'm trying to cover all my bases here and make sure I have ALL the correct pieces I need. Since the Super Eta was made for only one year, I want to be positive that I'm buying the right bottom end pieces for my engine.

I'll add more questions when I think of them, I'm planning on buying all the parts I need towards Mrach or April, so they are all ready to go.

A quick note too - I still have the bottom end from mt 325is parts car - it's sitting in my garage - I've been thinking of dissassembling the bottom end of that just as practice, think that'd be a good idea?

Thaks guys! :)

-Sean

[JRowe]

I'll try to take these questions one at a time. First, don't assume you do or don't need new pistons, or to grind the crank etc.

Disassemble the engine, taking care to mark and number the pistons/conrods with their corresponding cylinders. Measure all the parts for wear with a micrometer. If they are within factory tolerances still, you don't need to replace them. Simply replace the rings & bearings with good quality parts. Conrods almost never need to be replaced. Hone the cylinder walls and you're good, just make sure they're not scored, or you're looking at new pistons and boring the cylinders.

If you don't hot tank you block, you won't need to replace the freeze plugs. You can clean you block quite well by hand and some high pressure water/soap etc.

Usually, bottom end bolts don't need replacing.

Definately replace the oil pump. If you don't need new pistons, your circlips question is moot.

Painting is simple. Get it clean and dry, wire brush the block to get rid of any old/loose paint or anything else, mask any parts not needing paint, get a good quality paint, and go to work.

That was an extremely brief and simplified answer. Taking the engine apart and determining what needs replaced will take longer than simply ordering anything and everything beforhand, but it can save alot of $$$ in the long run. Hopefully, it was helpful.

[Jordan]

Hahah. Sean trying to rebuild a motor is a disaster waiting to happen.

[Dave]

I love to turn wrenches, and other than the limitations the lack of a lift in my garage places on me, will try most anything.

But an engine rebuild? - it would involve me calling a certain shop in Louisville and asking how big the check needs to be. Too many things I could fuck up there.

[nando]

you should replace your conrod bolts! if you don't you might be in for a nasty surprise.

[DrMcDave]

I love to turn wrenches, and other than the limitations the lack of a lift in my garage places on me, will try most anything.

But an engine rebuild? - it would involve me calling a certain shop in Louisville and asking how big the check needs to be. Too many things I could fuck up there.

yeah i am not ready to dive into engine building either.

[StereoInstaller1]

oh come on guys, I have rebuilt bunches of motors, easy stuff!

Oh, wait....I have been working on cars since I was a little kid, over 30 years ago...

OK, never mind. Sean, pay a pro or buy a used motor.

'nuff said.

Luke

[Sean]

Hahah. Sean trying to rebuild a motor is a disaster waiting to happen.

And why is this Jordan? Maybe you should offer input instead of believing you're God and the only one that can do a good job.

I was thinking of having a machine shop rebuild my bottom end, for time reasons. However, maybe I will give it a go myself.

[bcool]

Sean, if you want to do it then get everything ready to go, it will be a good exprience to build a motor (how else would you start). The FSM for the car should go through the build process in good detail. Since this is your first motor i recommend having someone with a bit of expirience under their belt to help guide you through some of the steps. The hardest part of it all is checking all of your clearences and making sure everything is set just so, your FSM or whatever guide your using should tell you what to check and what clearances they need to be at. Just keep in mind that building a motor is not rocket science, you just have to take it one step at a time. If anything were to be out of spec for crank, block, and head then that's for the machine shop to deal with. Plus, if robs motor is still running what's the worst that can happen? ;)

[Bimmerfanatik]

Sean, if you want to do it then get everything ready to go, it will be a good exprience to build a motor (how else would you start). The FSM for the car should go through the build process in good detail. Since this is your first motor i recommend having someone with a bit of expirience under their belt to help guide you through some of the steps. The hardest part of it all is checking all of your clearences and making sure everything is set just so, your FSM or whatever guide your using should tell you what to check and what clearances they need to be at. Just keep in mind that building a motor is not rocket science, you just have to take it one step at a time. If anything were to be out of spec for crank, block, and head then that's for the machine shop to deal with. Plus, if robs motor is still running what's the worst that can happen? ;)

Fuck that Sean, I've rebuilt a bottom end before - 2.4 stroker for an Eclipse, using SRT-4 pistons. It was time consuming, and stressful, but in the end, seeing the completed project, knowing I did it, made it more than worth it. As they said above, check all your measurements and clearances and make sure all parts are within spec - then just take your time, set the proper torque specs, using new bolts when applicable, follow the directions carefully, and you'll get it.

I am building a motor as well this spring - whether its a stroker or an M30, I haven't settled yet - but I am going to build it myself, either way. I want to know what goes into it, and that each step is done right. I'd rather spend 6 months doing it myself and know every time I turn it over that it was my hand that tightened the bolts.

It's NOT impossible - and with some skill and a lot of patience, you'll be fine.

[UNHCLL]

Hahah. Sean trying to rebuild a motor is a disaster waiting to happen.

I had to teach you how to go back and check for valve/piston clearance.
After you assembled the motor and had piston to head contact.


Play nice. :p

[Jordan]

Ha.. but I KNEW I didn't have piston/valve clearance issues. The last thing I expected after JE already fucking up twice was what I got the third time.

[e30Matt]

Everybody has to do it the first time.

Sean, get some good manuals, get some people willing to help, and do it. If you fuck up, you fuck up. You gotta learn somehow, and hands-on experience is the best way.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Everybody has to do it the first time.

Sean, get some good manuals, get some people willing to help, and do it. If you fuck up, you fuck up. You gotta learn somehow, and hands-on experience is the best way.

qft

[mitch500]

jordan your fckin dumb if you dont have anything usefull to say then piss off