How to rebuild an engine

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(Disassembly)
(Disassembly)
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An engine, because of the oil and gasoline residue it holds, is considered hazardous material in the United States and comes under special requirements for shipping documentation.  If you do not already know how to do this, it isn't worth your while for one engine.  Get somebody who does this regularly (maybe a friendly auto dealer or salvage yard) to do it for you. If you are going to transport the engine/transmission in your own truck, get one or two car tires to sit the item(s) on. It's non-skid, protects the item(s) being transported and allows stabilization when the item(s) are strapped down.
 
An engine, because of the oil and gasoline residue it holds, is considered hazardous material in the United States and comes under special requirements for shipping documentation.  If you do not already know how to do this, it isn't worth your while for one engine.  Get somebody who does this regularly (maybe a friendly auto dealer or salvage yard) to do it for you. If you are going to transport the engine/transmission in your own truck, get one or two car tires to sit the item(s) on. It's non-skid, protects the item(s) being transported and allows stabilization when the item(s) are strapped down.
  
== Disassembly==
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== Dis-assembly==
  
Disassembly is usually broken down in to two ways. One is removal of external parts and accessories and the other is the actual disassemble of the engine block and its internal parts.  
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Dis-assembly is usually broken down in to two ways. One is removal of external parts and accessories and the other is the actual disassemble of the engine block and its internal parts.  
  
 
Step-by-step. Everything you need to do to your engine prior to assessing it for machine work.
 
Step-by-step. Everything you need to do to your engine prior to assessing it for machine work.
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For an engine with a carburetor now is the time for the fuel pump to be taken off.  On Small Block Chevys (SBC), there is a spacer plate that needs to be removed also so you can take the fuel pump push rod out of the block.  I put this rod and the spacer plate in with the fasteners.
 
For an engine with a carburetor now is the time for the fuel pump to be taken off.  On Small Block Chevys (SBC), there is a spacer plate that needs to be removed also so you can take the fuel pump push rod out of the block.  I put this rod and the spacer plate in with the fasteners.
  
Disassembly of the engine starts with the removal of the valve covers. The rocker arms should then be removed and placed in number sequence so that they can easily be identified from where they came. Pushrods can be pulled and placed in a shallow pan for cleaning and re-use. Head bolts should be removed and inserted in a cardboard template to make note of there location. Prying up with a pry bar in the intake ports to cause separation of the head from the block, watch for coolant spills. Use a wide blade screwdriver to lever the heads up off the block and dowel pins. Remove the heads to a solid work bench for inspection. Remove lifters from their bores by tilting the engine over and letting gravity assist you or use a hook to remove the hard ones. Pull the crank pulley, timing cover and the oil pan. You did DRAIN THE OIL, DIDN'T YOU? Remove the timing gears and chain. Pull the camshaft. Remove the oil pump and drive rod.  Before un-doing the rod shells, take a number set and number the caps and the rods. Pull off the cap on ONE rod and using a hardwood block tap out the piston and then go on to the next. With all the pistons out, match up the caps and loosely nut them. Pull the flywheel or flex plate. Un-do the main bearing bolts, pull the bearing shells, with care lift the crank out of the bearing shells and place on the work bench. Make sure that you block the crank so it won't roll off the bench. Nothing worse the tweaking a crank when it hits the floor. Wash down all the parts and block. Lightly coat the bearing surfaces with clean oil and spray engine bores with WD40 to keep rust and contamination to a minimum.  
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Dis-assembly of the engine starts with the removal of the valve covers. The rocker arms should then be removed and placed in number sequence so that they can easily be identified from where they came. Pushrods can be pulled and placed in a shallow pan for cleaning and re-use. Head bolts should be removed and inserted in a cardboard template to make note of there location. Prying up with a pry bar in the intake ports to cause separation of the head from the block, watch for coolant spills. Use a wide blade screwdriver to lever the heads up off the block and dowel pins. Remove the heads to a solid work bench for inspection. Remove lifters from their bores by tilting the engine over and letting gravity assist you or use a hook to remove the hard ones. Pull the crank pulley, timing cover and the oil pan. You did DRAIN THE OIL, DIDN'T YOU? Remove the timing gears and chain. Pull the camshaft. Remove the oil pump and drive rod.  Before un-doing the rod shells, take a number set and number the caps and the rods. Pull off the cap on ONE rod and using a hardwood block tap out the piston and then go on to the next. With all the pistons out, match up the caps and loosely nut them. Pull the flywheel or flex plate. Un-do the main bearing bolts, pull the bearing shells, with care lift the crank out of the bearing shells and place on the work bench. Make sure that you block the crank so it won't roll off the bench. Nothing worse the tweaking a crank when it hits the floor. Wash down all the parts and block. Lightly coat the bearing surfaces with clean oil and spray engine bores with WD40 to keep rust and contamination to a minimum.  
  
Depending on your experience, take block and crank to the machine shop for mic'ing or inspect and mic your engine using the specs contained in your manual.
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Depending on your experience, take block and crank to the machine shop for mic'ing or inspect and mic your engine using the specs contained in your manual. Reasonable care should be taken when moving the block and crank so that they do not become damaged in transportation. If moving them over a long distance it is better to put the crank back in the engine and bolt it in for the ride, also put the pan on for extra protection. Heads should be put in individual containers because of their weight.
  
 
== Machining ==
 
== Machining ==

Revision as of 22:50, 11 November 2009

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