89 Carrera reseal and top end

[Flat6pac]

Spent the afternoon cleaning some more parts
Aluminum sure is pretty with the cosmoline and old oil remover

[Flat6pac]

Waiting on parts but there is lots in the drawer so I was digging to get something done
The only thing I didn’t have was a set of new rails
As always, thanks for looking
Bruce

[itsme]

Looking good Bruce!!!

[Flat6pac]

Well, it’s been hanging on the chain since I took it out of the safety Kleen
Moved the 85 out and backed the truck in
Sprayed degreaser and power washed a couple times. But I got most grease
And cosmolene off
Now to change the gear oil
Brkuce

[EdRogers]

Could you post a picture of your main bearings, and an assessment of them? I'm looking at mine trying to figure out what to do.... I've got a few scratches, but, man they look good....

[Flat6pac]

The bearings were completely without scratches or stain spots. I didn’t take pictures
and the im closed up now
It’s really your call, does your crank have grooves?
Bruce

[Flat6pac]

Got outside early and started projecting
Slipped the pistons in the cylinders and installed on the short block
Yes had enough rocker shaft seals to do eleven of twelve shafts
Cylinder dividers have cosmolene but not rust
JB weld on old leaks and potential ones
Bruce

[cmcfaul]

Chains stretch. I would replace them. Triple check the seals on the oil pump are in place.

did you de glaze the cylinders before putting the pistons back in?

Chris

[Flat6pac]

There was lots of room on the idlers and tensioner, chains are good
I use aviation permatex and stick the seals on the pump and case
Been there a couple times over the decades
I scotch brite the cylinders with a cylinder hone use trans oil to lube the rings and cylinders
Bruce

[Flat6pac]

Got the heads back from the machinist last evening
Going to be hot today so morning gets stuff done
Got heads, cams,.carriers. And rockers together

[jjeffries]

It sure is enjoyable following along with a thread like this. Rebuilding my SC engine, which I acquired disassembled, was one of my most satisfying accomplishments (thus far). Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and I enjoy scrubbing and prepping parts, or at least that's how I remember it. Rose colored glasses? Thanks for taking the time and effort to post this Bruce. Best, John

[Trakrat]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

So, I’m going to do a top end and a center case reseal.

I might be wrong... but splitting the case is beyond just a 'top end'. That's a 'bottom end'.

[Flat6pac]

The best thing I can do is to have the owner informed about what he owns and what he has purchased. Stopping at a top end and leaving all the crud because you’re doing the top end, I’ve seen shops do exactly that.
Bottom end gasket set, chain rails, and intermediate shaft bearings are inexpensive, consumable items. I’m not so into imitated by the motor that I can’t clean and inspect and reseal the bottom end.
He was told that there can be more expenses if the bottom bearings are worn and need replacing
I know this motor as I delivered it to my brother with 40K on it after take by it out of the wreck about 2002 and shipped to him to install to replace the bad leak down he owned
Now Years later he wants a top end before age slows me too much
Cars been turn key for 16 years, lately marking its spot, going to be resolved.
Bruce

[KTL]

You're wrong because you're taking the top and bottom terms too literally. And don't equate this 3.2 engine service with what a magnesium case would need. Splitting this case doesn't prompt the necessity for all sorts of other activities like align boring the mains, decking the cylinder spigots, cutting the parting line and boring back to standard, shuffle pins, etc. etc. blah blah blah typical machining needs of a magnesium case. Those mag cases are dimensionally challenged/unstable due to the material aging properties of magnesium. Once you unbolt them, you're pretty much guaranteed you have to machine them to get everything lined up again. Whereas with the later aluminum cases like the 3.2 case, they maintain their shape upon disassembly and can reliably be bolted back together with no machining required whatsoever.

Splitting the case here doesn't instantly trigger a true "bottom end" if he just wants to inspect the bearings, install new oil pump seals (originals are orange or brown silicone and are brittle by now) and re-seal the case parting line. A true bottom end job, regardless of what case type we're talking about, is when you've got pistons & cylinders out of spec, rods needing re-sizing, crank needs work, bearings replaced, etc. He's doing the right thing eliminating the lower dilivar studs as well.

Nothing wrong with reusing the bearings if they look good. If they still look good with no scratches or swipes on them? Then they're going to measure good. Just button it back up and keep on driving. Some argue that splitting the case and rods compromises the designed bearing "crush" that occurs when the parts joined at the split lines. But many have reused bearings for years and years with no ill effects.

[Flat6pac]

And brought me the care package for the Carrera mi
Thought the package was too small but it was all there
Bottom studs were first than the heads followed.
Hoping for a good tomorrow
Bruce
Mmm photos on square

[Flat6pac]

And the cams came .02mm apart
Tomorrow to check cam oil line flow
Bruce

[Cairo94507]

I really enjoy watching the progress. Thanks for sharing Bruce.

[Flat6pac]

Michael, thanks for the comments so here is the eye candy for Saturday
Bruce

[996AE]

Can you share which oil lines and fuel hoses you replaced?

[Flat6pac]

I replaced the main pressure lines under the injection and all oil lines under RR
Wheel house which were all 30 years old
Changed out the cam oil lines and installed modified cam oil line restrictors
Bruce