Ive already posted this in the del sol forum, but noones really chomping at the bit to help me.


I just bought a del sol, sight unseen, from a friend of my wife. The car is pretty solid, but there are 2 motors, the motor in the car's oil pan was left off for god knows how long, and the bottom end has started to rust. I havent gotten into the head yet, but I hope the cylinders arent rusted too. The second motor looks to be in pretty good shape, but she told me it was blown too, so i was planning on taking the two motors, and piecing together one (after buying a basics--ie rings, bearings--crank, or whatever else Was def. bad). do you think its possible to get the rust off of the internals and use these parts again? I was thinking a few good rubbings with kerosene and some emory cloth that the rust wouldnt be an issue, but will it thrown the weight of the rod/crank journal off enough to cause issues?

Another question, Im new to building hondas, so this may be a dumb-*** feature, but Ive charged my battery, and all i can get to work in the car is hazards, and my horn. Im not trying to start it, I just wanted to put the windows down and let the car air out (little bit of mildew, car was sitting with targa not snapped in good) so is it a honda-engineered precaution, or is something effed up in my car?


then the update :

okay, just took the whole bottom end apart, and everything is there, the crank looks great, no pits or grooves, I only took 1 rod cap off, and theres still white lithium grease in the bearing. im beginning to wonder if Her dad didnt start a rebuild and have to stop (no time, etc.), and i have the half assed product. I also looked, and the rods/crank need a good degreaser spraydown, but other than some particles from not having an oil pan, it looks pretty clean. I did see that there were several pieces of cut out sheet metal between the main bearing cap and the block itself, I suppose someone tried to make shims for it, but i dont know. The rust I saw earlier was only on the bolts under the crank, holding the Main bearing cap up. Im pretty lost as to what to do at this point, and I would really like some input if anyone is willing.


Modified by Jwolf at 1:58 AM 9/22/2007

 

if you want a solid engine, replace the bearings and rings, get the block honed out and then the crank polished. basically just replace the bearings and gaskets, maybe might wanna get a valve job(New Valve stem seals ect) (possible resurface the head) just rebuilt and cleaned my car and runs nice and strong for a daily driver