oil leaking 2.7 motor

[sliminbay]

I want to get some input from the board. I have a 2.7L motor that is leaking oil from passenger side. Doing leak down showed that cylinders 1-4 have 5 to 10% leak down. Cylinder 5 and 6 clearly show some problem. Cylinder 5, where I think oil is leaking from show 65% leakage. Cylinder 6 show 40% leakage. From what I understand, it is probably pulled studs in cylinder 5 and 6. The motor has around 130K miles. What is my best course of action to take care of this motor on somewhat limited budget? I am wondering if just installing case savers might do the job. Thanks.
-Steve

[Tim Walsh]

First of all pick up a copy of waynes book it will answer almost all of your questions.

a 130K mile 2.7 has probably been rebuilt. Do you have any evidence of when?

[sliminbay]

I am really wondering whether the leakge in cylinder 5 and 6 is really problem caused by pulled studs or some other problem.
I do have a copy of the book. Been a good reading material every night. However, it really deals with rebuild sequence not the decision of whether to do it or not. So far I can not see any signs of rebuild. True mileage of the motor is unknown.

[Tim Walsh]

hmm.. I belive there's a section in the front about when to rebuild and if it's a DIY or not.

65% leakdown is pretty massive I think it probably has to come apart at least down to a shortblock. Once it's that far down you can visually see if it has pulled studs. With that much leakdown new rings and a valve job is definitly in order.

Hopefully others will chime in with more opinions

[Wayne 962]

Re-read Chapter One, if you haven't done it already (Titled "When to Rebuild?").

In particular, in that Chapter it should talk about head studs, and the tests that you can do to see if they are pulled or not.

Oh, I get it - you have the 101 Projects book, not the Engine Rebuild book. Get a copy of the Engine Rebuild book here: http://www.101projects.com

-Wayne