OK, my d15b7 has almost 160k on it, and will see about 4-7 days of track abuse this year. So im entertaining buying an old, or beat up block to rebuild it. It will most likely be a d16.

Now, how hard is it to rebuild a motor? Im mechanically inclined, and can follow directions well(helms).

I want to learn and will most likely do it either way. I just want to know what im getting into.

Also, could someone list the special tools needed. Thanks


Mike

 

Do you want to rebuild it to stock specs?

 

Like putting lego's together if you ask me.

Altho, there are a few motor building techniques and procedures that require special tools, a little bit of ingenuity to get done, and a little bit of logic to make sure you're doing it right and cross-checking.

Procedures:
.Checking/Adjusting valve spring install height
.Claying for piston-to-valve clearances
.Degreeing in the camshafts
.Checking endplay
.Plastigaging for bearing oil clearances
.Balancing the rotating assy
.Checking rod bolt stretch
.Rod endplay
.Checking piston ring end gap
.Checking basic condition measurements of the deck straightness, cylinder bores, runouts, etc.

Tools to do all that schtuff:
.Valve spring micrometer
.Valve seat cutter
.Valve spring compressor
.Degree wheel
.Piston stop (with head on)
.Dial indicator
.Dial indicator bridge
.Dial indicator stand, bars, and mounts
.Feeler gauges
.Piston ring filer
.Gram scale
.Piston ring compressor
.Piston ring expander
.Metric thread chasers
.Rod bolt stretch gauge
.Plastigage
.Micrometers (w/ at least 1 ball attachment)
.Inside dial bore gauge
.Cylinder dial bore gauge on sled (optional, but drastically simplifies measure bore taper)
.Telescoping gauges
.ARP moly assy lube (or your assy lube of choice)
.lots of plastic bags (big and small)
.label stickers

That list is probably way overkill for the avg Joe. And, I probably forgot some things.

 

My thoughts exactly!!!

 

thanks for the replys guys. It would most likely be rebuilt to stock specs with the exception of a few extras to make it a little stronger.

Thats quite the list of tools needed. Is there an abridged version or do i need all those.

Mike

 

You can get by on a dial indicator, feeler gauges, telescoping gauges & micrometers, and plastigage.

 

bump for the morning crew.

 

Assuming you've got the basics, like a torque wrench, you can get by with just this list. I did spring for a $4 ring expander and a $5 ring compressor too, but basically, this is all I needed. A few select taps would be helpful to chase some of the threads in the block and head. The only other tool you need? H-T!

 

Wheres a place that sales all these tools? Autozone only has a few..Dont know where else to get the rest.

 

I think you should order a Snap-on catalog

 

Sears:
.ring expander (I think it's $1 cheaper at Sears)
.ring compressor
.torque wrenches (3/8" drive - in*lbs and ft*lbs, and 1/2" drive)
.big socket for the oil cooler/filter bolt (I think it's like 15/16" or 24mm)
.13mm 12pt deep socket for ARP head/main studs
.feeler gauges (set of 45 deg offset [.005"+], set of straight [.001"+])
.dial indicator magnetic stand/base
.small magnetic pick-up tool

Autozone
.1/2" drive 24" breaker bar
.plastigage (green)

Enco [ http://www.use-enco.com ]
.micrometers (0"-1", 1"-2", 2"-3", 3"-4"....precise to .0001" [ten-thousandths of an inch])
.dial indicator....precise to .0005"
.dial indicator magnetic base/stand
.telescoping gauges
.dial bore gauges

Snap On [ http://www.snapon.com ]
.torque wrenches
.cylinder bore dial gauge (sled)
.valve spring compressor

Summit Racing [ http://www.summitracing.com ]
.rod bolt stretch gauge
.gram scale
.piston ring filer
.valve spring install height micrometer
.degree wheel/piston stop

Northern Tools [ http://www.northerntools.com ]
.valve spring compressor


[Modified by IN VTEC, 10:14 AM 4/3/2003]

 

I got a used dial indicator set, complete with stand, off ebay for under $50. New it would be around $100. I shopped around for a new micrometer and got a good deal from http://www.thetoolwarehouse.com. Most everything else can be found at Sears or at a parts store.