4 Easy Steps To Rebuild Your Car Engine!

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Automotive Repair Montgomeryville

Of all the 30,000 components that a car consists of, the engine comprises the most prominent ones. So, when you are planning to rebuild it, thorough planning is essential.

Before we dive into rebuilding, let’s first understand what key components we’d be dealing with...

  • Cylinder
  • Camshaft
  • Bearings
  • Spark Plug
  • Piston Rings
  • Piston
  • Connecting Rod
  • Block

Now that you know what a typical car engine consists of, we can get started with rebuilding.

Step-by-Step Guide To Rebuild Your Car’s Engine

1. Research & Requirements

This is your DIY project. So you have the liberty of working as you like. However, you don’t want to double down the cost and the effort that you put into rebuilding the engine.

So, following a clear research plan is a must.

Step 1: Get to know your engine

The more you know about the engine, the better for you. Get a handbook, research online, or ask an expert, but get the details of the engine.

Use of the cylinder head, the engine block, piston, or a camshaft, be clear with the basics.

Step 2: Required Tools

Before starting the engine rebuild, inquire about the tools that you might need to disassemble/reassemble. 

The common tools include an engine stand, power pullers, load-leveling bars, engine rebuild kit, jack stand, tape, an engine crane, and many more small & medium-sized tools.

2. Engine Removal

Since you’re clear with the basic needs, let’s start the process.

A. Pre-Engine Removal

  1.  Drain oil and other fluids: Before starting the disassembly, get rid of the fuel. It can prove fatal if left in there.
  2.  Disconnect the battery: Also disconnect the battery with other components and remove the radiator.
  3. Remove starter, air compressor, and exhaust chamber: To further ensure the safe removal of the engine from the car, extract the compressor, exhaust, and the starter. Make sure you go through the car manual for specifics.
  4. The final step before removal: After removing all the electrical connections and the external components, start with unbolting the engine from the transmission.

B. Engine Removal

  1. Use the hoist: Connect the engine hoist to the engine via the connection points. Lift it with care. This is a tricky process, so be very careful with it and land the engine on the exact spot of the engine stand.
  2. Mount the engine to engine stand: Using the appropriate bolts mount the engine to the engine stand. Do not compromise on the bolt quality. Engines are pretty heavy, so they will need the bolts of superior quality to hold them in place.

3. Disassembling Components

Now, this is where the critical work begins. The car manual will be your biggest guide in this step. Keep it handy for your reference.

Disassembling Phases:

  1. Phase one: Get done with the removal of external components like belts and the other accessories.
  2. Phase two: Oil pan, flywheel, timing cover, and flexplate should be removed in the second phase.
  3. Phase three: Phase three deals with the removal of critical engine components. So be more vigilant during the process. Start with removing the pushrod and then go for the cylinder head. After, go for the piston. 
  4. Phase four: Crankshaft should be your next target. Use a specifically designed crankshaft mounter for your engine to place it. Once it is removed, go for the auxiliary drivers and camshaft.
  5. Phase five: This is the final phase of the disassembly. Remove the brackets and all the components that are yet attached and place them down safely.

4. Reinstalling Everything

Analyze & Initiate:

1. Clean: Before reinstallation, clean the disassembled components. Segregate the usable and non-usable ones. Segregation is extremely important because this is the step where you’ll decide whether to reuse the old component after cleaning or install a fresh one. 

Bonus tip: 7 DIY Steps To Clean Fuel Injectors

2. Inspect the block: The engine block is going to host all the components. So it is extremely important for it to be in an ideal condition.

3. Install new components: New piston rings, valve heads, valve train, seals, camshaft bearings, and gaskets should be installed in this phase. 

Reinstallation Of  Components:

1. Resembling the components to the engine

  1. Phase one: Start the installation with the crankshaft. Then move towards the lubricated bearings. Then use the cylinder ring to install the piston, further moving ahead to the installation of the camshaft.
  2. Phase two: Install the oil pan and the timing belt. Then go for the valve train and the covers, respectively.
  3. Phase three: Install all the remaining components. This will include the exhaust chamber, flywheel, and the water pump.
  4. Phase four: If you’re going for complete engine rebuilding, you might want to change other components like the air conditioner, radiator, and the transmission, as well. 

Bonus tip: If you’re wondering why to change the transmission; here’s how you’re causing damage to your transmission!

2. Reinstalling the engine to the vehicle:

Before mounting the engine to the vehicle, make sure you lubricate the filters.

Now carefully lift the engine using the hoist. If you want, you can lubricate the engine after mounting it to the vehicle instead.

Finally, test the engine and experience the difference.

Still Need Experts To Handle This?

If you get stuck and need an expert’s help, you can call A&G Customs any time (215 669 3072).

We deal with 1000s of complex automotive repairs in Montgomeryville like engine rebuilding, sheet metal repair, paint repair, chassis modifications, and multiple others every single day.

On top of this, we also provide towing services in case you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere!

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