Should we crack the case?

NJTom · 08-26-2015, 09:14 AM

First, thank you to Dave and the Forums the information provided has been a big BIG help and much appreciated!

We have a 74 "junk yard motor" 1.8 L the mileage unknown. The heads look OK, there is evidence that the motor (at least the top) has been worked on. The block and transaxle have both been cleaned and the motors turns easy, the piston (tops) show no sign of damage. We are planning on replacing the rings and seals (very inexpensive) but now we need some help.

My question is should we crack the block? If there are anyone out there that has done this, your input and suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Are there common things that wear at or that we should look for or simple things to replace. It doesn't make sense to go this far and not do something that we might regret later. Thanks!

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John Rogers · 08-26-2015, 04:09 PM

I am not sure who the "we" is you mentioned in your post but if you have an unknown engine then a complete tear down including a split of the case to measure everything and then we can determine what needs to be machined, is the case worth saving, what parts are needed, etc, etc, etc. If nothing else doing a complete rebuild is a great experience but you will need a competent machine shop that is used to working in air cooled engines. Good luck.

NJTom · 04:36 PM

John, thank you! All very good points. The "we" is the mechanic and brains of the operation. He's semi retired and has been buying old police cars at auctions and rebuilding the Hemi engines. I think he just wanted a break and took on my project. So far so good, thanks again!

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

I'd be tempted to just run it and see how it went... Then again, I can be kind of lazy.

--DD

John Rogers · 08-27-2015, 07:19 AM

A seasoned mechanic is a good thing to have as he will know what and how to look for troubles. The biggest issue is that our air cooled engines a quirky, to say the least and there a lot of "German" engineering ideas that have to be taken into consideration. The largest is the two piece case and in that way any American V8 is much easier to overhaul. In this case you can do the rebuild as a learning process but you are going to be totally shocked at the price of those seemingly small bits and pieces. Good luck.