3.2 Rebuild question top end, Bottom end?
 

I have a 1987 3.2 Carrera. using oil and fouling plugs. I am getting heads done, head studs replaced, Rocker Arms rebushed, and some camshaft repair / hardening for one area with mild pitting. Engine has 80+K miles. no leaks. I have no reason to believe there are currently issues with bottom end (Cylinders, Pistons, Rings look good). Would you do bottom end at same time? Rod Bearings, Polish Crank, New seals to prevent future leaks?

Thoughts?

thanks.

I would not touch the bottom end!

New head studs (search this topic, heavily debated) and the heads rebuilt by Craig Garrett (cgarr) and carry on.

Cylinders/pistons/rings are not part of the bottom end. When you say they look good, what does that mean? You can't visually inspect these components and declare them good. Was a leakdown and compression test completed before you took the motor apart?

Did the motor have good oil pressure before disassembly? Generally, the bottom ends are good for more miles than your motor has. But who knows how it has been treated over the life span. You are looking at 6ish hours to disassemble and reassemble bottom end plus machine time for crank inspection/polish and rod resizing. Plus small cost for new rod/main/IMS bearings, chains, gasket kit, rod bolts etc...

If you are keeping the car? Are you going to risk $$$$$ of work hoping the bottom end needs no work, or do you want to spend an extra $ to make it all new?

You may be OK with just doing the heads (which is not a compete top end IMO). But, once you are in there it makes good economic sense to make it ALL good at the same time.

Cheers

Agree

Extra ~15 hrs labour & cost of parts - bearings, inter shaft, pump maybe,...?

Should recoup your monies at resale time