A Photo Diary of a top-end rebuild. Or, The Tale of a one-armed rebuild. - Page 10

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

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Where is the above bearing broken? That split in the inside diameter sleeve is supposed to be there.

Yep. But you’re too late. I was showing the new TO to The Bride® and said, "Look this one's not broken." She immediately responded with, "Ummm... Then what’s that?"

I hope I can return the extra one.

P.S. I already put a spot of grease on the TO bearing. I hope it's not too detrimental, because I'm not pulling it all apart at this point.

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Woo Hoo!

Ok, I have no new photos depicting the progress made today. But I have to tell you, everything is hooked up, and the engine runs!

Now it's down to belated pre-season stuff. Rebuilding calipers, mounting new tires, And of course there’s getting the rear bumper back on.

The first track day should prove to be interesting. I wonder if I'll have a noticeable power increase.

mca · 04-20-2008, 05:13 PM

Congrats! Must feel great!

I assume no leaks or odd noises?

How soon do you plan on tracking it after the rebuild?

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

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I assume no leaks or odd noises?

Well.... I put the muffler and bumper on this afternoon (as well as rebuilt the rear calipers, brake shoes and rotors). When I fired the motor up I could hear an obvious and disconcerting clacking/ knocking noise.

While doing some preliminary diagnosis, it started to pop from the exhaust.

I shut it down. Tomorrow I'm dropping the LH valve covers to see what's going on.

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

Hopefully nothing serious.....

Jeff Alton · 04-25-2008, 07:40 PM

I am guessing you have a valve out of adjustment....

Cheers

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Found and fixed the problem. The #1 exhaust valve adjusting nut had come off. I removed the lower valve cover, and there it was. I must have had a lapse in diligence when adjusting the valves.

The tipping the car to the side trick worked great. I lost maybe a tablespoon of oil.

mca · 04-26-2008, 09:39 AM

Sweet ... that is great news!

Is that Brad Penn oil?

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

I spoke too soon. Clatter is gone. Still cursed with the miss. And I have no clue why it's occuring. Think I'll start a new thread regarding the miss.

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Is that Brad Penn oil?

Yes, it is. 20-50w.

mca · 04-26-2008, 01:24 PM

Craps!

Please keep us posted. Maybe you could include a link to your new thread so that we all may follow that one too.

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Quote:

Maybe you could include a link to your new thread...

Here ya' go....

billybek · billybek's Garage

Your link didn't work for me..
I have enjoyed reading this thread and I am glad the noise problem was easily solved.
PM sent.

mca · 04-26-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybek

Your link didn't work for me..
I have enjoyed reading this thread and I am glad the noise problem was easily solved.
PM sent.

Here it is:
Help: '88 miss at idle

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

I'll save y'all from going to the other thread. Issue turned out to be the new Clewette wires.

mca · 04-27-2008, 08:58 AM

Well done. Glad to hear it was the wires. Nice to have that old set sitting around to strap on!

kvetty · 07-01-2008, 06:54 PM

GREAT POST, Thanks for sharing this with everyone. All said and done, what was the total cost for everything done, tranny and engine? I have 2 broken head studs and was quoted around 6k to fix. You made this look and sound a lot easier than it probably was, and now I am tempted to try it myself.

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

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All said and done, what was the total cost for everything done, tranny and engine?

Top-end: $2,461 Clutch: $1,549 Amounts are broken out on page 7 of the thread.

The car has been driven on the street about 60 miles, and been to three track days. Oil consumption is way down. The car runs strong, and without all the smoke. It will be time for an oil change and to re-torque the heads after running Lowes Speeway this weekemd.

wilke3169 · 07-10-2008, 05:10 AM

Robert, Was great to see you at the track Friday. The car did run and sound great. Look forward to crossing paths in the future.

MOMO3.2 · 07-10-2008, 08:31 AM

Rob:

Great DIY job and thank you for documenting everything!

I have an 87 Carrera with 170,000 miles on the original motor. I get a puff of smoke on start up if the car sits for several days. It consumes 1 qt every 700-1,000 miles or so and my valves are a little "clackity" despite (or because of) my amatuer adjustments. Basically, the motor seems to run very strong and it has been dead reliable for me.

My plan/hope is that I will not have to refresh the top end or anything else major for another 80,000 miles or so (my goal is to reach 250,000 miles on the original motor).

You mention that your oil consumption is way down, your car runs strong, and the smoke has abated. Besides the oil consumption and smoke, how much "better" does the motor seem to run? I realize it is difficult to quantify, but do you clearly notice more power? Do you notice less valve train noise? Is the motor smoother running?

I hope you can understand my curiosity. I appreciate any feedback you can give.

GREAT job!

Mike

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

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how much "better" does the motor seem to runI realize it is difficult to quantify, but do you clearly notice more power? ?

It runs a bit better, and I think it has more power, but nothing really measurable by the butt-o-meter.

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Do you notice less valve train noise?

It's about the same.

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Is the motor smoother running?

Yes; however, that has more to do with the new plugs, new sensors, new ignition wires, ansd new clutch.

Bottom line is that your oil consumption is not an issue. Leave it alone until you need a full rebuild.