90civichb

I have a spare block laying around that I used to have in my old sohc turbo del sol. It was removed because my wife over-revved the motor (shifted from 5th to second at pretty high rpms)....

The engine knocked between 2500 and 3000 rpms only, and only on one cylinder.

My most important question is, will plastiguage and correct bearings/torque specs be enough? (providing the crank checks out fine).

This question may seem simple, but I really don't like paying people to do work that I truly feel like I can handle myself.

My two choices are 1) buy a low milage block to replace the one im removing, or 2) replace the rod bearings, oil pump, water pump, timing belt, etc. and have an engine that will not need this work for some time.

I have been reading about the use of plastigauge for clearance checking. But I don't think it is as simple as it seems to be when put in to words.

Any thoughts and suggestions on anything I have said would be great.

If all you have to say is take it to a shop, please just back out of this thread. I am not interested in having someone else do the work, but instead making this a learning experience for myself.

Brick Top

i choose #2

i say rebuild the old one and make it fresh.
i don't trust used blocks.
correct bearings/torque specs with plastiguage
is definitely enough, depending on your crank.
if ur replacing the rod bearings, replace the others too.
and plastiguaging is not difficult at all.

90civichb

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brick top &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i choose #2

i say rebuild the old one and make it fresh.
i don't trust used blocks.
correct bearings/torque specs with plastiguage
is definitely enough, depending on your crank.
if ur replacing the rod bearings, replace the others too.
and plastiguaging is not difficult at all.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats what I like to hear. I am looking at this as a smart investment of time with the outcome of a fresh motor, as well as another notch on my "DIY" belt

Anyone else? Im surprised I didn't get flamed, but I would like some other comments...

90civichb

wow... I didn't expect such a dead thread....

Everyones Hero

I need to figure out what plastiguaging is and the purpose of it.

I'd rebuild the motor you have as long as the crank checks out. You figure you're going to replace the oil pump, water pump, ect. Same thing you'd do (or at least I would do) if I bought another block to put into my car.

You're just saving money by not buying another block.

Brick Top

plastiguage is used to check the clearance between the bearings and the crank.

EJ8tunerman

Plastigauging isn't tough at all. I did about 10 engines at Vo-tech, granted they were V-8s, but none-the-less they were engines. Biggest worry I would have is that crank. It is probably scratched to hell and back.