Engine Overhaul: The Benefits of Engine Rebuild Kits
The engine is a complex system of moving parts that help generate circular motion from controlled explosions. As time goes by and the longer you drive your car the more wear and tear you put on the engine. Like every component in your car, it too has a certain lifespan. But when you think you need a new engine put in your vehicle, you might want to think twice before you make the final decision.
Isn't it better to go for a solution that is more economical and efficient? Of course, it is and this is where you'll want to have your engine rebuilt either by you or someone else. If done correctly a rebuilt engine can work as good as an OEM one. Even you can rebuild your engine well enough to compare it to an OEM engine with the help of a full engine rebuild kit.
Benefits of Engine Rebuilding Kits
Time
While you can rebuild your engine on your own without a kit it will take a lot longer than usual especially if you have no experience in this. This is where engine rebuild kits can help you immensely as they come with everything you need to rebuild an engine.
Cost
Rebuilding your engine without a kit can be pricey but with a full engine rebuild kit costs can be reduced significantly. Since with a kit you buy everything you need from one manufacturer, said manufacturer tends to lower the cost of the kit which is more affordable than buying parts individually.
Compatibility
With a full engine rebuild kit, you don't need to worry about the compatibility of components. As long as you know the model and year of your vehicle and a manufacturer has car engine rebuild kits for it you're all good. No mismatch will happen and thus you will waste less time searching for the right part and replacing an incompatible one.
How an Engine is Rebuilt
Preparation
In order to start rebuilding your engine, you need to prepare yourself and your vehicle for it. The first thing to do is to take a look at the exact removal process of your vehicle. You should also drain your vehicle from any fluids. These include the coolant, oil, and wiper fluid. Drain all of these fluids into separate pans.
Needed Tools
For engine rebuilding you will need a flashlight, jack stands, wheel chocks, timing gear puller, silicone gasket maker, torque wrench, water displacement lubricant, electric drill, engine stand, fender covers, brass punch, air compressor, masking tape, and an engine hoist. Other components and materials usually come included in engine rebuild kits.
Removal
1. When you've drained the vehicle from any fluids you need to then start removing stuff from the engine bay. First in line are plastic covers which can even be removed while the vehicle is getting drained. After that, you should disconnect the battery and starter and take the battery out of the engine bay.
2. Then remove the starter and exhaust manifolds and follow that up with the removal of belts and the air compressor. Once you've removed all of the above components, you should unbolt the engine from the transmission and then start taking the engine out.
3. Take the engine out using the engine hoist by positioning it over the engine. Unbolt the engine from the motor mounts and then secure the housetop to the engine. Lift the engine up carefully and then mount it onto the engine stand. Start disassembling the engine while on the stand by removing accessories and belts first.
4. After that remove its bare components and the rocker arms together with the pushrods. Continue by removing the cylinder head, timing chain, and camshaft. Lastly, remove the piston rod caps, clean the tops of each cylinder, and inspect the crankshaft before putting everything back together.
Installation
1. Once you've cleaned all of the removed components as well as the engine block and checked each component you then need to replace the freeze plugs. After that, you should install the new piston rings and then install the new camshaft bearings too.
2. After that you then need to reinstall the crankshaft, main bearings, and then the caps too. For this, you'll need to rotate the engine upside down. After installing the main bearings, crankshaft, and caps you then need to install the pistons and after that the camshaft.
3. Once you install the camshaft you should put on the timing belts and test the crankshaft. Replace any gaskets and seals that are pressed into the engine covers and then install the oil pan. You need to rotate the engine upside down for this too. With that done, you then need to install the head and head gaskets, the valve train, intake manifold, and covers too.
4. The last part of the engine rebuilding process involves mounting the engine back to the hoist and lowering it down into the vehicle in reverse. Once you reconnect the engine make sure to fill it with oil, coolant, and washer fluid and double-check every connection. When that's done test the engine and you're done.