Engine Rebuild

[Technic_569]

I've never rebuilt an engine before and am wondering if there are any tricks or techniques that people use when doing it? This is just something that I've always had an interest in but have never actually done anything about it.

 

[t. jones]

Practice on something cheap ( free is good ) Thanx Trevor

 

[krusty the clown]

Practice on something cheap ( free is good ) Thanx Trevor

and buy a book

 

[TAftw]

Be sure to oil EVERYTHING. No metal to metal contact anywhere. It helps to have a good stand. Be sure to torque everything to spec. It's not really difficult, but if you mess up it can cost a lot. Take your time and have fun!

What kind of engine are you planning on rebuilding?

 

[Technic_569]

and buy a book

Anyone recommend a good book for this???


Trevor ---- Already have one that came off a junk mower

TAftw ---- Will do..... Its a one cylinder (Brigs and Stratton possibly????). Is there a standard torque or is it different for every bolt?

 

[ghnl]

At each step of the rebuild whenever you install something that needs to move or have something it secures move, turn the crankshaft at least 1-2 rotations. That will make sure nothing interferes or is assembled wrong or too tight.

 

[Vernmotor]

Be clean and more clean..take your time think about each part and how it works..ask questions

 

[TAftw]

TAftw ---- Will do..... Its a one cylinder (Brigs and Stratton possibly????). Is there a standard torque or is it different for every bolt?

Research! I would imagine the torque ratings for a Briggs would be generally close across the board. I don't know if small engines have mechanics manuals, but I would imagine there are resources online that tell you what the torque specs are and general procedure for rebuilding them.

As far as EVERY bolt- the head bolts' would all be torqued the same, but they would be different than say, your bottom end. The top left corner head bolt wouldnt be different than the bottom right or anything like that

 

[srmofo]

Ive rebuilt several small engines and countless auto engines. small engines are so much easier for a first build. Its hard to mess up a small engine. But if you are going to learn new habits then make sure they are good ones. Be Clean, Be organized, Torque EVERY critical fastener, Measure EVERY critical clearance and part (ring gaps, bearing clearances, crank thrust) DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING in engine building

parts organized <thats pretty simple when you only have 1 cylinder, when its 8 it becomes a little more critical to not mix parts between cylinders.

Im sure Im missing stuff but others will chime in

 

[Technic_569]

Anyone recommend a good book on this stuff????

 

[AFR6]

If you know the brand and model of the mower it came off of you should be able to find a manual on line you probably wont need anything more than that. like most everyone else said be clean and ask questions if you are not sure.

 

[curtrnev]

buy some cheap cookie sheets they are easy to clean and they keep the parts from rolling around and getting lost.

 

[wolpi]

Clean workplace
give some parts the last finish (sometimes the oem quality is not the best)
after rebuilding turn the crankhouse a few times and test the oilpressure
i always check and test the oilpump during the rebuild, if a rebuild a s50 or s54 (both ece) engine i give the oilpumps more oilpressure (works with e36 m50 and m52 parts)
if you do it the first time, find someone who has some experience in rebuilding

 

[tonydanzah]

good book is the engine builder and auto math handbook

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1557882452/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1557880204/?tag=atomicindus08-20

take your time and make sure when you measuring dont stop until you finish each cylinder, keep very good notes so if you do have to stop mid cylinder you know exactly where you left off.

I don't know about other people, but i found it easier to measure all the cylinder and draw little pic to mark the measurements next too. Then do all the crank journals together with a circle next and mark those and so on

 

[scopx]

There are publications by both B&S and aftermarket such as clymer, and haynes. The B&S is the more thorough, however they tend to overlap processes and one must skip from from process to another. Watch the bolt/stud mounting very carefully on Briggs as just enough disparity in lengths to cause bottoming out, if wrong used. Also, torque values different between alum and cast engines. Yep, get a book.
B&S breaks down the publications into 2 issues, depending upon engine size. And the content is geared towards one more familiar with this type of repairs. The other publications generally are more for the novice with more direct procedural reference. The latter two publications generally use pics or drawing taken from B&S.