Should I do a rebuild?
 

Car has 200,000 on it. Should I rebuild now or wait? What are the advantages of rebuilding? Should I do it myself or have it done? What costs am I looking at if done myself or done by a pro?

Thanks

What kind of car? Does it have any problems?

Read this:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_Engine_Rebuild/mult_engine_rebuild-1.htm

-Wayne

If you are an experienced and knowlegable DIY, you can rebuild successfully using the Wayne book and info. in this BBS. The key word is CAN, there are, IMHO, many places to mess up. Also when you DIY, you don't have a warranty. You can find other tips on this BBS if you decide to DIY. Good luck either way.
-h

Along the same lines, if one does a rebuild, is it ever advisable to just do the top end, or is it, "you have the engine out anyway, split the case and do it all?" Cheers, Mike

Main reasons for rebuilds are related to worn valve guides and piston rings (2 main wear areas of the engine). This requires top-end only.
My mechanic says that prior to splitting the case, he removes the rods to assess the condition of the big-end bearings.
Healthy big-end bearings practically always come with healthy main (crankshaft) bearings as well.
That's part of his judgement whether or not to split the case.
If oil pressure is low, this is a general sign of worn bearings that would make me decide to split the case and renew all bearings regardless.