3b Recon: how diffiicult can it be?!?

[S2Coupe_Nic]

Firstly, hi all, I am new to here and am in the process of deciding whether or not to plunge into the S2 world. I have a lovely S2 being offered to me and wanted to get an idea about what I am undertaking. The engine is currently out of the car and I am thinking, having done 140k, I should take this opportunity to overhaul it. The question, at long last , is what am I letting myself in for? I have an OND in Motor Vehicle Engineering so know a little about the 'Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow' cycle etc. Will I manage? and lastly, I know, thank god, cost...to rebuild, more or less stock, roughly what am I looking at? If you got this far, thanks for your time, I solute you .

Nic

[Error404]

these engines can cover 200k + with easy if well maintained - why is it out of the car in the first place?

[S2Coupe_Nic]

why is it out of the car in the first place?

The car is on offer from member S2_BO, Bo has a project running and has kindly offered me his donor S2 when he is done with it. The engine from his donor car is going in his and his engine is going in the donor car, a swap. 200K sounds good, but not sure how well it has been maintained
Nic

[merlin's S4]

Well I'd imagine that Bo's engine has been very well looked after during his ownership. His S2 certainly has no problems in the go department!! I think you're likely on to a winner there mate.

[S2Coupe_Nic]

I trust Bo's care of the car for sure, but you never can tell who had it before hand.

[Error404]

that explains it then
I envisaged a mouldy H-plater sitting in someones front garden with the engine ripped out

I actually spoke to Bo about this car (i think) not too long ago and it sounds as if it will be a real nice car with a little bit of work.
Don't be fooled into thinking you'll keep it standard though

[Flat on my back]

Well...

Compression and a leakdown test will give you agood idea of the condition of the inside bits...and indicate any problem areas.

Sounds a good starting base.

[S2Coupe_Nic]

Carlos: Thanks, a good idea indeed.

[S2central.net]

I 2nd what Carlos suggested - test the basics while its ouit of the car to establish if its basically OK for compression & such. I would trust Bo that if he said the engine was basically running OK (no mechanical knocking noises or nasty leaks and good oil pressure) that you aren't walking into a nightmare.

But if you get into full gasket renewals, timing belt, pumps, head-bolts, VSOS etc etc then you get me getting into money you hadn't planned on. However, the upside of doing all that while the engine is on a bench is much less stressful than putting it in the car then discovering that it needs some big works doing afterwards.

The cost also depends how fussy you are about nut and bolt renewal - I'm a bit obsessive about that - I like to renew any fixings where possible but that puts the bills up.

I suggest the following minimum planned works before putting the engine in -
- Timing belt, crank pulley, waterpump, tensioner & related fixings
- Two water links and thermostat under the water rail
- Cam cover gaskets if signs of leaks
- Sump gaskets if signs of leaks
- Both oil pressure/switch senders on the block - cheap and PITA after engine is fitted

If you want to be more diligent then I suggest -
- New head gaskets - must renew headbolts (maybe go ARP for re-usability)
- VSOS (valve stem oil seals)
- Check the bottom end for endfloat and bearing clearance

Going further then maybe consider -
- New hydraulic lifters all round
- Strip valvetrain and check all clearance, clean up the valves - maybe gentle porting
- Oil pump (maybe)

As with all things engines - its the time, money and can I be bovvered equation ?

Many 20VT engines go for 200k miles and more before needing serious surgery so don't worry too much about taking a lighter/cheaper approach to this.

Paul

[4WheelDrifter]

The engine seems to be running well ATM, so I wouldn't worry too much about the rebuild. You can always whip the engine back out at a later date if it then needs a rebuild.

[S2Coupe_Nic]

Many thanks for all yor words of wisdom. Paul, great advice, i see your logic . Will deff do all the basics; belts, water pump etc and will ask my bank manager to see if I'm aloud to do any more!

[Pirvu Eugen]

Welcome!
I am sure that even iff you need to rebuild the engine...here you will fint everything you need!

[S2Coupe_Nic]

Welcome!
I am sure that even iff you need to rebuild the engine...here you will fint everything you need!

how can i go wrong with messages like that! you star

[Pirvu Eugen]

Sorry!
I will ask administrators, please, to remove my previous post because your sensible eyes!
I thought that this is an international forum!

Eugen

[S2Coupe_Nic]

So...Say I did some basics, as listed above, put the engine back in and all is running sweet....Can I then modify a little more cosmetically? in order to sqeeze a few more BHP what would i need to do?