bretcopsey
05-26-2009, 12:27 PM
My daily has about given up the ghost. I have metal in the oil-likely bad bearings based upon the knocking I was hearing. In addition to that, that trans was slipping badly right before the knocking started.
I have the front up on stands and everything torn down so far that I am about to drop the drivetrain out. Possible options include 1) Teardown and rebuild of engine as necessary-possibly crank/bearing kit, flush out block, valvetrain etc. new gaskets and be done or 2)junkyard/craigslist engine with no known history-may have same problem a few months down the road
I'm not too confident about my ability to rebuild the transmission, so leaning towards junkyard option here.
I ultimately want to get this thing back together and sell/trade for something else knowing I did what I could to have a clear conscious, without dropping a fortune into it. The mileage is at about 139K
What would you do? Ayone have any experience with these engines or transmissions?
MonzaRacer
05-27-2009, 02:37 AM
Nothing wrong with these engines. Inspect the pistons closely as a few have had cracking issues.
As for when doing the rebuild, it depends on how bad the cylinders are, if they are not ridged bad or at all, a simple way to hone them is use a ball hone, put it in a good strong drill, use oil can and put a single good hard squirt running down, start honing with good in/out motion and let it pull up gray then start spraying a cheap brake cleaner in cylinder, you will notice the drill pull down but keep it up for 10-30 seconds . all your doing is removing the glaze. then a good wipe down with rag or heavy paper towel and brake cleaner. Order moly rings only. Dont try to bypass this step you need to inspect pistons, if it spun a bearing its going to have to have piston out anyway to have the rods checked.
Northern Auto Parts used to have decent deals on complete kits.
I believe it should have roller lifters just keep them in order(yes even rollers)remove cam and replace the cam bearings, at least degrease it and take to car wash.
These engines can be rebuilt pretty reasonable, dont forget to replace the headbolts and follow the proper sequence. also Fel-Pro makes an aluminum framed intake gasket set, use those as a selling point(trust this as these usually have 3.4l engines and this is leak point)and reground crank kit can be best option if you have no local machine shop.
If it runs good, just noisy have heads leak tested,light milling. You can if you want to pull heads down and relap the valves and replace seals rather than do complete rebuild.
Give all parts a good cleaning with either cheap carb or brake cleaner.
Use Lubriplate assembly lube and typical motor oil to lube it. If you can build a regular engine you can do this one after its out.
As for the trans lookup LKQ salvage yards.
Pick a younger in miles trans and then its a good advertising point.
Here is , I believe, the link to engine parts but call them before ordering and price shop (http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductId=3011).
if you need to pm me or even let me know and I will give you my cell number and you can call.
As long as pistons didnt crack this option give you the ability to say that the short block was rebuilt (no cam bearings , you just patched it) IF it has roller cam the cam/lifters do not need replaced simply keep in order they cam out.
A reman crank kit is cheap insurance if it has bearing issues.
Lee Abel
AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE
PS A good dependable drive train breaking would be plain wal mart super tech and super tech filter, drive it around 50 to 100 miles and change the filter, put more miles up to around 500 then change oil and use what ever name brand conventional non synthetic/or blend oil, I still prefer Shell Rotella T , use the 10W30 and an AC Delco filter for regular service.DO NOT USE GM DEX COOL ANTIFREEZE. Ask for G-05 Ford type extended life anti freeze or plain green and all these "will fit" extended life antifreeze is so confusing. Dex Cool is hard on the intake gaskets if you have to use the plastic frame intake gaskets. Ford stuff isnt.Lee