Here We Go Again, Digging In

"Long_Voyager94" (yourenotavalidusername) 07/22/2020 at 07:02 • Filed to: rallyvan, Engine Swaps

3

19

Well, after chatting with everyone on what to do about my engine situation:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I decided to tear into the 3.8 I have and check it over. So that’s exactly what I did:

I found my bottom end rattle along the way, the number 5 rod bearing was almost gone:

We figured out that due to the engine sitting for so long before I got it, it ended up dry starting the first time, in turn destroying the bearings.

Outside of the destroyed rod bearing on one cylinder and slight dry wear on the rest, everything looks excellent.

I measured all the rod journals, they are all dead on with no sign of wear. The Main journals are all dead on with no sign of wear as well. The cylinder bores are still perfectly in spec, they’ll just need a quick hone to remove the crap from sitting. I still have to remove the camshaft and inspect the journals there, but initial inspection is proving very worthwhile.

Assuming I don’t find anything major with the camshaft ( judging by what I can see, all will be well ), I should be just a quick rebuild away from having my 3.8 back in my van.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 07:15

1

Would you supercharge the 3.8 for some extra oompf?

nerd_racing > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 07:38

1

This is excellent news! I’m glad you took a quick peek inside first! I’m sure you probably know this already, but dawn power diss olver concentrate will make quick work of those old oil encrusted parts. I used to soak cylinder heads in it, in a Rubbermaid tote.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 07:50

1

Is there no way to prime these motors for oil? I can access my oil pump (by removing the distributor) and turn the pump drive with a drill. Way different motor design, obviously. 

Long_Voyager94 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 07/22/2020 at 08:01

2

Given it’s going to be our main hauler for biking trips, I’d like to keep it “stock” and reliable, so likely not.

This engine has 30 hp and 65ft-lbs more than my current engine, so it’ll be a significant bump as is.

Long_Voyager94 > nerd_racing 07/22/2020 at 08:01

0

I was actually wondering about that. This is one of the dirtiest engines I’ve ever torn down, I generally don’t have to do any cleaning.

Long_Voyager94 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 07/22/2020 at 08:03

2

The oil pump is on the crank on these, so it has to spin fast enough to get pressure before it will pump oil.

I will be assembly lubing everything before it goes together so I don’t have issue.

nerd_racing > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 08:27

1

It’s been so long, this might be discontinued. But the new Dawn Platinum might be just as good. I will find out soon, myself.

HoustonRunner > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 08:35

1

How many people on here besides you can call any engine rebuild “quick”?

The M30 engine in my BMW is over 272k (don’t know how much since the odometer broke before I bought it ), and I’m nervous to attempt a valve adjustment.  The engine still pulls pretty strong, and I don’t hear anything obvious, but it probably needs adjusting.

66P1800inpieces > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 08:52

0

You should still prime if possible. Might be a way to do it with a $10 chemical sprayer from HomeDepot and a remote oil filter connector.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 09:56

1

Bravo!

Long_Voyager94 > HoustonRunner 07/22/2020 at 09:59

2

Hey, I got it tore down to the block and measured in 3 hours......

HoustonRunner > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 10:17

0

Dang.  If you saw my post from this weekend it took me 5 hours to do plugs and wires on my Suburban....

Nom De Plume > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 11:53

1

Good things happen to good people. Just need the cam shaft to show equally positive signs and you should be set.

Long_Voyager94 > HoustonRunner 07/22/2020 at 11:54

0

LMAO. That’s about 3x what it took to do coils, plugs, and port the intake manifold on the new van!

What happened?

Long_Voyager94 > Nom De Plume 07/22/2020 at 11:57

1

Good things happen to good people.

Welp, I’m screwed.......

HoustonRunner > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 12:20

0

Cylinder 8. 

Also, I started out not planning to replace wires, and they were really stuck on. Once I decided to replace them, removal went much faster.

Long_Voyager94 > HoustonRunner 07/22/2020 at 12:36

0

Ew.

One bonus of all these engine swaps, I’ve never had plugs go bad..........

Nom De Plume > Long_Voyager94 07/22/2020 at 16:14

0

At the least we know there’s no air conditioning wherever you are going.

Long_Voyager94 > Nom De Plume 07/22/2020 at 16:17

0

I’m used to it. ;)