im in way over my head...

[antz]

im in way over my head with this engine building malarky!

 

i need desperate help

 

got a bored out block,

1600 pistons to fit and rings

gasket set (except head gasket)

stage 2 head

full cam kit

twin 40s

 

and im lost with what to do and what to buy i wanna get another complate 1600 engine for bits but i dont know what to use off it. got about 6 books but all are too complicated

 

do i press on myself and try my best OR sack it off and call in the profesionals?

[Rick]

have a proper read og the haynes tuning crossflow book.

 

it goes through every step through stripdown and rebuild!

 

oh yea dont pay sum1 to do it its easy once uv had a go.

[Vista]

If you were experimenting with a couple of old engines and second hand bits, I'd say do it yourself and experiment on the way, it'll be a steep learning curve but ultimately you'll benefit from it.

 

BUT

 

It sounds like you've already spent a few quid on some nice go faster bits, so it'd be shame not to get the best from them, or worst still to knacker them by assembling something incorrectly.

 

In your position, I'd look for someone knowledgeable that you can pay to build up your engine (preferably at mates rates) and talk you through it showing you the way as he goes.

[antz]

yeh ive got that book but its all complicated

 

ok well heres a start...

 

if i get a 1600 engine for bits, what CANT i reuse and fit to my engine?...what do i have to replace?

[antz]

i was thinking of asking my dads mate who is a jaguar restorer and seeing if he can do it on a 'as and when you get time' basis so hopefully i could get it cheap

 

i wanna do it myself but i dont wanan fook it up

[Rick]

ideally you want to regrind your crank + order bearings to fit,

 

timing chain + tensioner cam

 

all new gaskets and seals

 

your head is already done so no worries with that.

 

piece of pie mate, just remember how it goes back when you dismantle your donor engine.

[antz]

its all the bolts, bearings and shit that im lost with.

 

and a heasdgasket as i heard i cant use a standard one. i need a bigger one or something

[Rick]

trust me just follw that book as your doing it and a lot of things become clear when its all in front of you

 

bearings (not like ball bearings) are semi circular rings that fit in your block where the crank pivots.

 

you get two packs. one for the con rods and one for the block. they have little locating tabs that fit so u cant go wrong really.

 

now the inner surface of these is machined to accept the diamter of your crank regrind so that its the right size

 

whoever regrinds the crank will order the bearings for you

 

 

nuts n bolts will come with your donor engine.

 

you may need a headgasket slightly larger as your bores are bigger diameter and you wouldnt want the gasket to be effectively overlapping the rim

[antz]

so bearings will be ordered by the person doing my crank?...thank god!

 

is it best to replace bolts anyway? i head ARP bolts are good

 

is there anything else i need to know, replace, re-use and how do i find out what head gasket i need?

[ZetecVan 2.0]

I've only ever built one engine when I was about 23. But what you need to do is take your time and take it one step at a time. Don't think 'ooh fook I've got to rebuild this engine'. Think 'ok, I have to replace the rings on this piston'... then after you've done that job 'I've got to replace the rings on this next piston'

 

Break it down into very small chunks.

[negri]

what you want to do is get a duff/donor engine and get it on a stand

 

then slowly strip it all down and find out the names of all the bits you are taking off

 

i havent read the haynes book but no doubt it will be in there

 

get it all lying out in front of you and then rebuild it all back up hoping there isnt any spare parts left over

 

 

once you see it in bits you will get an idea of whats needed and where

 

[antz]

cheers mike.

 

ive been thinking in small steps and ive set a dealine of march to do it

 

my next job is to clean the block and get it repainted in black.

then ill think about my next job (i know what it is already though )

[Vista]

Don't rush to get your crank reground, it costs a few quid and is only worth doing if it genuinely needs it.

 

Balancing all the rotating components as they go back together is also a worthwhile evolution but isn't a begginers job.

[antz]

well i was gonan do the crank anyway but i cant afford it until i can afford a doner engine.

 

i was gonan balance the conrods and lighten the flywheel but get a proper place to do it all for me.

[turner]

The only way to ever learn is to get your hands dirty .as its already been stated dont rush you'll only overlook something ,break it all down into steps.but like vista said youve spent some money on some nice bits if you do get stuck on something or are unsure seek some help from someone who knows saves time and expensive mistakes.Ford engines are simple and the books do make sense when you are following them step by step just stick with it you'll get there ! nothing like being hurled up the road by an engine youve built yourself

[antz]

im doing it to prove to myself im not useless plus i do wanna say that 'i built it' when it flies past all the boy racers.

 

im gonna give it another crack. if i get stuck i can always send it away to a company to get done but every bit i do myself it saves me a few quid of someone else and then i might get so far and think 'might as well finish now'

[Col-ashtonmobile]

have a go m8 you got my number if you get stuck ring me

ANYTIME and i,ll happily help you

[antz]

cheers col!

 

im racking everyone brains at the moment so i will prob give you a call at some time

[Col-ashtonmobile]

no probs

[Twinkle]

if you want an engine to practcie on m8 i have a 1300 xflow here you can have just arrange for a courier, essentially they are the same

[antz]

im flat broke at the moment or i would of had it off ya twink

 

i sorta overspent on parts before realising i had 3 weeks until payday

[Twinkle]

its just sitting there m8 irf yuo decide you want it just pm me and i will hold on to it for you til whenever

[antz]

ok well i need to sort a few thigns out first with money and then ill let you know if i want it.

 

iom still unsure about building this myself i think ocne i get stuck in itll get better.

[Twinkle]

you can do it bud

[antz]

cheer

 

feel a bit better about tackling it now...needed some motivation