Can I Really Do It?

[ericheavner]

Ok, I've been considering re-building a 3.0sc engine for the inevitable day when my '82 goes south.

Some background: I can turn a wrench (brakes, seats, put a new radiator fan motor in my Trailbazer, ya know, general easy stuff) but I've never ever removed an engine from a car, much less rebuilt one. I have, however, removed and replaced the transmission on my 13hp riding mower but I highly doubt that is a qualifying bullet on the rebuild resume.

So, how realistic is it that I can actually drop, rebuild and replace the engine in my p-car?

Frankly, I'm not terrified of the thought. I'm just worried that I'll have a 'few pieces' left over when I'm done. I've read Wayne's rebuild book and it looks like a formidable project.

Wouldn't it cost about the same just to drop ship the car to Motormeister and have them do it? LOL!!

Thanks for the feedback,

Eric

[Komenda Fan]

It's pretty straight forward dropping the motor and putting it back in. Sorry, that's all I can help you out with!!!

[Aurel]

You will do a better work than MM. They have monkeys turning wrenches there ! It will cost double to redo your motor right after it went through MM. Go for it! I am in half way myself.

Aurel

[euro911sc]

Take your time... you'll be fine. I never worked on a car, EVER, before the p-car. Wayne's book + this board are the only things I've been using even though I have the factory manuals +bently + haynes + a few other sources. Yes I made a few boo-boos, but you just back up a few steps and re-do it the right way. No worries.

You may want to look at the cost of tools as some think that is prohibitive. Sometimes you can find them used or other pelicans in your area may be friendly and lend you special tools. If you buy them all new you can certainly re-sell them for a decent amount as well if you don't feel you will ever use them again.

Best regards,

Michael

[AngM018]

The only thing I had done before rebuilding my 930 motor was a few oil changes.

I spent ALOT of time researching every step to the process. Waynes books, and these forums were my biggest source of info. If you get to a step, and your not sure about it STOP, get on here, ask every elses opinion, re-research that step, then continue.

Also finding a good machine shop is the key to a good rebuild. I am glad I passed on my local shop and sent everything to EBS racing in reno NV. Yeah I had to spend a couple hundred extra for shipping, but it was worth every penny.

Good luck, nothing beats the feeling of rebuilding your own engine!

[ericheavner]

My confidence has been bolstered. I have plenty of tools except the special ones. When I begin, I'm sure you wont' find me a stranger. LOL!

[304065]

Well, I can do it, and I am basically a trained monkey.

Assembling 1966 901/05 Engine- Phase I- Bottom End

Albeit an OCD one.

The difference between amateurs and professionals is:

1) Professionals do it FAST, as their livelihood depends on it; and
2) Professionals do it right the first time, as they have BTDT.

As an amateur you must reconcile yourself to:

1) Making a huge investment in special tools, in the thousands of dollars, to do it right;
2) Working slowly and triple-checking all your work to be sure you aren't going wrong; and
3) Not being afraid to go back to the beginning if, for example, the crank doesn't turn freely, or the cams bind, etc.

It's a heck of a lot of fun and you have thousands of viewers of the Pelican ERF here to guide and cheer you on.

I say, DO IT!

[ericheavner]

Thanks John. Guess I'll have one more big project added to my list. I'll have to hold off on the honey do list for a while. I'm sure that'll go over well. Haha!

[Determined]

You can do it, I did my Carrera 3.2L! It was fun and everyone on Pelican was a tremendous help! I want to rebuild my tranny (915) but I haven't build up the courage yet.

Alex

[JohnJL]

You can do it, Bobby Bucheit!

[Eric Hahl]

I'm in the same place you are as a backyard mechanic. I've done a lot of the easier jobs but never anything remotely technical like a rebuild.

My 85 3.2 needs a clutch, timing chains, oil leaks fixed, trans gone through. I figured now was as good a time as any to start so I spent Saturday removing the engine/transaxle. Who knows where it will lead. I mean, the engines out and the "while I'm in there" syndrome is quickly taking hold of me. I'm seeing new suspension and lots of other stuff that needs attention after 23 years of life.

Back to the point, dropping the engine was easy with the help from Waynes 101 projects and the Bentley manual. I really enjoyed doing it as well. Its fun getting to know your car and how everything works. I'm just going to take my time and try to do it right. I'm sure I'll be posting lots of questions here or doing lots of forum searches.

I say "go for it", I'm glad I'm doing mine and I'll feel even better knowing I did myself.

[p911sc]

If I can do it you can. Before my rebuild all I ever did on a car was to change the oil. Between Wayne's books, the Bentley manual, this website, and the folks at Pelican, it was a great succes, a lot of fun, and a new addiction. Even made some great friends in the process. Also I am not afraid of future problems as i know i can fix them with some help.

The only recommendation is to label everything, take a lot of photos and make sure that you put everything back the way it came out.

Good luck and have fun.
Rick

[ericheavner]

So how do you guys support the car while working underneath it? I'm terrified that it will fall and crush my gumby ar$e. I have 3 ton jack stands and have happily hoisted her up to remove all the wheels, do the brakes, etc., but I don't trust anything that weighs more than me when I am underneath it.

I've considered buying 1/2 dozen railroad cross-ties to put under the car as extra support, ya know, just for peace of mind. Hmmm, maybe this is justification for installing a 4 post lift in my garage. Guess I'll have to raise the ceiling too, 'while I'm in there'. Hahahah!!

[sww914]

I've only ever heard of a jack stand failing once, and the injured party thought hat it was possible that he had accidentally pried up on the release handle. I have, however seen poorly placed jack stands slip out and cause the car to partially fall. Often I use the jack stands to support the car and leave the floor jack, slightly lowered, in a position to catch the car if it slips. You can get another set for about $25.00 and use one set to support the car an the second strategically placed as a backup.

[euro911sc]

Lots of posts here on how to support the car. the short answer: ramps and wood under the front wheels and wood+6 ton stands at the rear torsion bar. Solid as a rock. Unfortunately, my car has been that way for 2 years...

-Michael

[dtw]

For dropping the engine, you don't really need to spend any time under the car. Yeah, you'll reach an arm in there, but I usually position myself so I can roll away quickly if I hear or feel anything wrong. I use jackstands, chock the front wheels, and keep the jack in place at another location as a safety. You'll reach under the car to drop the clutch cable, transmission ground strap, throttle linkage, transmission mounting bolts, heater hoses, etc.

Once you get the car up on stands, you can give it a few pushes and prods to ensure it is secure. The only times I have had 'em come off the stands is when they were really light - no drivetrain, gas tank, panels, etc...they actually are harder to handle when they have less weight on them (IMHO). Just exercise caution and common sense and you'll be fine.

[gigem75]

you have a better chance of winning the lottery than being injured by using jackstands, correctly.

[JohnJL]

Just leave your removed wheels under the car...if the car falls off the stands (and it shouldnt if you use common sense and chock the front wheels) it will just settle onto the wheels

[rlane]

ditto on all the comments , I did it and that speaks volumes for the quality of assistance available here. as for tools let us know where you are...lots of Pelicans lend help (and maybe tools..but we never admit to that)

[Maluminse]

Originally Posted by ericheavner

Ok, I've been considering re-building a 3.0sc engine for the inevitable day when my '82 goes south.

Some background: I can turn a wrench (brakes, seats, put a new radiator fan motor in my Trailbazer, ya know, general easy stuff) but I've never ever removed an engine from a car, much less rebuilt one. I have, however, removed and replaced the transmission on my 13hp riding mower but I highly doubt that is a qualifying bullet on the rebuild resume.

So, how realistic is it that I can actually drop, rebuild and replace the engine in my p-car?

Frankly, I'm not terrified of the thought. I'm just worried that I'll have a 'few pieces' left over when I'm done. I've read Wayne's rebuild book and it looks like a formidable project.

Wouldn't it cost about the same just to drop ship the car to Motormeister and have them do it? LOL!!

Thanks for the feedback,

Eric

I guarantee you will **** it up.


But you know what thats ok. You wont mess it up totally but you WILL make a mistake and thats ok. Even experienced mechanics occasionally break a bolt or get their measurements wrong.

When I was 18 and full of spit and vinegar I bought a fiat spyder. 76.

Get this: low oil pressure, at 30mph a seizing and then a loud loud knocking. Did research and talked to umpteen professionals.
All said - bad bearings. Women who sold it to me swore it was a fine engine.
So in my moms gravel driveway I tore apart the engine. Short story.
Engine done goes in at 9am. At 3am I finish the last plug wire screw. I get in and damn the neighbors and my poor mom I fire the starter.
Pow the damn thing started. I quickly shut it off and walked about a block at 3am my eyes swelling with mist. I didnt feel any doubt but apparently I was surprised. It smoked.

Worse: at 30 mph it seized knocked and had low oil pressure!!!!

omg wtf So it turns out the oil presure gauge was faulty, the fuel line was clogged and the drive shaft bolt had broken.

Now a couple of decades later ive done many engine installs etc. But that first one had to be done b/c it was the first one.

Dont sweat it. Its not rocket science at all. I will suggest this excellent cheat though.

Electricians use a number tape. Buy a roll of this. Its like ten small rolls of tape with numbers all together. Each time you disconnect a fuel line, wire, etc number each side so that 10 goes with 10.

Also when you remove a part - alternator etc reinstall the bolts into the holes you just emptied. Otherwise you will have a dizzying soup of bolts. OR have a bunch of large ziplock baggies, masking tape and a marker. Dump the alternator bolts in the bag, label it and seal it.

Have fun and be sure to tell us the ups and downs.

one other thing. I was once told you always give blood when you do a job. By and large every time Ive changed a starter or alternator or manifold gasket ive busted a knuckle or somehow "given blood". fyi