2.4 "Refresh"

[BBShriver]

Relating to a 73 "CIS" with 2.4

Recently I've had some sort of mysterious clutch problem (occasionally doesn't disengage, but sometimes works fine), I've replaced the cable and other external clutch parts but still having the same problem so suspect it's time to drop the engine/tranny and see what's going on inside the bellhousing.

This opens up a can of worms on the "while I'm in there..." category. Eventual plan is for this to go into vintage racing, so I'd like to do a race-spec rebuild, however right now I don't have $10k-ish sitting around. I was thinking though there's probably some "refreshment" I could do to a 36 year old engine. valve seals, gasket, etc.

The car is running in the "fine" category, its main problem being excessive oil leakage. Since a full high-performance rebuild is down the road at some point I'm interested in just basic maintenance that should be done as a minimum on a decent running but 36 year old engine. What do folks suggest?

[Steve@Rennsport]

Hi,

You didn't say how many miles are on your engine so its difficult to offer specific suggestions, however if racing is in your future with this car, I'd leave it alone until you make that decision.

Race engine preparation is a world away from street engine work so unless it has a bunch of oil leaks or a consumption problem, I'd leave well be.

[BBShriver]

It's around 85k miles.
And it leaks oil like crazy, not sure where it's coming from but if it's been sitting for a week or so, the heater will fill the cabin with oil smoke burning off the heat exchangers.
Not sure that it's burning much oil other than what's on the outside of the engine.

Other than that though, it runs good. I understand though that it's probably due for at least valve seals..

[911 tweaks]

its your money, however, I would do the following, which are cheap i.e. your time, to see what you have:
1. pop the valve covers and look for any possible broken head studs
2. adj valves if not done reciently
3. do lead down test and determine if possible worn out valves and/or piston rings
4. if all of these pan out with all in working order, drop the engine and give it a good cleaning and try to find where the leak is coming from... many external oil leak areas that can be re sealed/gasketed to eliminate them as the oil leaking issues... ie. valve cover gaskets - may need lower turbo covers if not already installed - oil pressure sender - oil temp sender - rear crank shaft seal - chain box covers - oil cooler... look closely at a particular area to see if it may be weeping or leaking oil. Put new seals on these - re install the engine - change engine oil & filter - change trans fluid - clean out oil in the exhaust.
Put back in and go for a ride till all warmed up and come home and inspect suspecious area(s) for leaking.
THEN, after all of this is done, you will be in a 95% knowing your engine condition and what direction/option(s) you have to rebuild~modify it to.
Best of luck and report back what you do and find to help us all learn and have another data point on these engines.
Bob

[signature65]

I dont know where your located but Im in So Cal and have a 2.4 MFI that I will be dropping soon to reseal. My baby leaks everywhere.....I have tried and tried to round up the leaks with no luck.

Keep me posted on your decision....

[BBShriver]

This sounds about right. Just general maintenance that "should be done". Hopefully sometime in the next few weeks I'll be able to get the engine out and see what I can do..

Originally Posted by 911 tweaks

its your money, however, I would do the following, which are cheap i.e. your time, to see what you have:
1. pop the valve covers and look for any possible broken head studs
2. adj valves if not done reciently
3. do lead down test and determine if possible worn out valves and/or piston rings
4. if all of these pan out with all in working order, drop the engine and give it a good cleaning and try to find where the leak is coming from... many external oil leak areas that can be re sealed/gasketed to eliminate them as the oil leaking issues... ie. valve cover gaskets - may need lower turbo covers if not already installed - oil pressure sender - oil temp sender - rear crank shaft seal - chain box covers - oil cooler... look closely at a particular area to see if it may be weeping or leaking oil. Put new seals on these - re install the engine - change engine oil & filter - change trans fluid - clean out oil in the exhaust.
Put back in and go for a ride till all warmed up and come home and inspect suspecious area(s) for leaking.
THEN, after all of this is done, you will be in a 95% knowing your engine condition and what direction/option(s) you have to rebuild~modify it to.
Best of luck and report back what you do and find to help us all learn and have another data point on these engines.
Bob

[HarryD]

FWIW

My 2.4 CIS needed a top end at 116,000 miles for worn valve guides.

We dropped the engine and had the heads done. The P&C's were left on and the case was not split. Based on what we could see, all was still in good condition and we decided to just replace all other accessible gaskets, reinstall the machined heads and move on.

I have some minor dripping at 139,000 miles but my consumption is about 1 quarts every 1,000-1,500 miles.

Don't look for reasons to spend money. The 2.4 enegine is pretty strong and relatively unstressed.

[BBShriver]

Thanks, hopefully in the not too distant future I'll get a chance to start taking stuff apart and see what it looks like.

[BK911]

If it were me, the first thing I would do is use up a can of engine cleaner on the engine. Make sure all the old leaky oil is gone. Then run the car around the block or so. Get it home, put it up on jack stands and look for the fresh oil.

Dripping all over the HXs sounds like a lower valve cover leak, but the oil can be coming from the top of the engine and running down. Clean her up so you know for sure, so when you drop the engine for the clutch problem you have an idea where to look.

Good luck!