So now that work has finally settled and the family is in order i am starting to theorycraft for my plans for my 86 SC. I think i am going to stick with 2.8 because i really like how it runs and i drive it everyday.

The engine has over 200,00 miles on it and i need to keep it mechanical sound so i am thinking about either dropping a new or remanufactured one it or getting my current engine rebuilt and maybe add some performance parts like cams and rollers etc.

So basically wehat i am looking for is what is the better option rebuild the current or start fresh. Budget is small so i have to keep it simple.

 

If you want performance, might as well rebuild, otherwise you will pay for stuff you won't use, honestly though, best bet is to find another rwd 60/6, 3.4 if you can, and build it while still driving the car with whats in it now. If you work with what you have, I would have the block bored out to whatever the first common size is, throw new pistons and rings at it, maybe have the crank resurfaced or whatever, clean the intakes up, tear the heads down, put new stem seals in, and new springs, check the pushrods and rocker pivots for pitting, replace if needed, replace the cam with an aftermarket one and new lifters, replace all the gaskets, and seals, new main bearings, new rod bearings, new rear main seal, new ignition coil and spark plug wires if you still have the originals, new spark plugs less they're relatively new, replace other things as needed, like oil pump and water pump would be good to replace if they're the originals and you have the money to, new accessory belts are always good, new timing chain and gears. I think thats everything...It will cost a chunk of change, but it will for all intents and purposes be a new engine and good for another 200k,lol.

 

Everything above is right on.

But, it also depends on what your end goal is. Do you want to stay with stock performance or wake it up a little. Also, what can you do yourself and what is your budget?

 

Also true, if you just want to add some pep and don't want to do any major complicated mods, cam, 1.6 roller rockers, head porting, intake porting, headers, high flow cat, catback, and a CAI intake if you dont have the dual snorkel setup.
If you still want more, hybrid swap or boost.

 

This is the only car i have so its my DD and needs to stay as reliable as possible. That said i am looking bump up mu HP to about 250-300 is what i was hoping for while maintaining as much balance in control and efficiency.

 

thats going to take a lot of work and a 3.4 to start with

 

That it will, or a boosted or race built 2.8 or 3.1, and by race built I mean no streetability whatsoever, certainly not a daily driver car...and even for the 3.4, that would be pushing it for N/A with iron heads, hopefully if I get a shop that wont back out on finishing my car I can get it on a dyno sometime before I go hybrid.

 

If i cant reach that HP i am not worried its my DD first so i wont be to hurt about. Will save the performance builds for my 2nd.

 

Well a modded 3.4 could probably get you ~200hp and 240 tq at the crank on iron heads with some mods.

 

"Usually" when you bump up horsepower that much from stock numbers, you're going to trade that horsepower for daily-driver reliability/efficiency. You can only get that kind of horsepower and reliability from an engine that had that much power stock (like a v8).

If your budget is small, you don't want to do a rebuild. A rebuild will cost $$. Call machine shops, tell them you're thinking of a rebuild, and ask them how much they charge. They'll give you a quick quote which is usually based on the # of cylinders. Quote will include: hot tank (cleaning), magnaflux (checks for cracks), bore/hone/deck the block, check/recondition the crank, check/recondition the rods, grind flywheel (if manual trans), replace cam bearings, and full engine kit (hard parts and gaskets). (Tip: Buy the kit from the same shop that does the machine work.) At that point, you should also do a magnaflux/resurface of the heads; and because that requires head disassembly, you should really have them to do a valve job while they're at it too. If the rods or crank needs replacement that'll be extra $$- but you won't know until after they've checked them. (Tip #2: Have them hot-tank your oil pan b/c it'll take days to scrape the old crud out by yourself.)

So call around first to get prices, each call will only be about 5-10 minutes on the phone. Then figure in the other costs- besides pizza, you'll need tools (engine hoist, engine stand, drip pan, ring expander, valve spring compressor, etc), time/travel (borrow or rent another car?), and a clean place (dust/dirt free) to do the rebuild.

For my last rebuild (for my daily driver), when everything was all said and done, it cost me over $4000 and a month's time- and I already had all the tools.

My question is this- what's wrong with the motor you have? Is it burning oil? Knocking? No power? Cracked in half and leaking coolant?

 

Engine is fine just wanted to keep it that way. Probably dont need to rebuild the whole thing just want to get it strengthened to keep it run until i learn and build my own to put into it.

 

In that case, your best bet is find a cheap high mileage used one, rebuild it, and when you have the time or your current one needs a rebuild you can just swap them out, take it from someone whos been there, its alot easier doing it that way when you need the car as a DD, swapping an engine is a lot of downtime, especially if there are complications.

 

^ I totally agree. You could get a junkyard engine for a few hundred and mess around with it in your spare time.

To keep it running just do a major tuneup if you haven't already. If you've never changed the timing chain & sprockets & tensioner (v-shaped metal piece bolted to the block between the sprockets), do that first (and you might want to change the water pump too, because you have to take it off to get to the chain). I changed mine at 190,000 miles b/c I didn't want it to snap on me from age.

 

Thank you very much for the advice i think thats what i will be going with. Found a used one for a good deal so hopefully after the holidays i can grab one up and get working on it. You guys have a link or diagram for a total engine teardown (prefer mine). I have not done a rebuild but i am a quick learner and can teach myself how do anything.

P.S. Also looking for details on things to watch for and be careful i know i need to keep the area clean and what not.

 

If you are on a budget, why not just get a good, low mileage used 3.4 from a salvage yard, with a guarantee, and swap it in? Its an easy swap, will give you a good torque boost, and it will be cheaper than rebuilding your 2.8 to boot. All your existing accessories will bolt up just the same.

 

this would be a good idea, and in the mantenance feild, we got a small saying "if it not broke, don't mess with it". besides if you want to mod and engine and take your time having an extra engine fore it is the best way to go

 

I am really bent on building/rebuilding the engine myself and doing the rebuild on 3.4 on the side wouldnt be bad but like i said i am not a mechanic and have to teach myself as i go and swapping a different engine than the one i have may be a little difficult. I have help but the only swap he has done is a direct replacement. I have read both the swap boogie posts and it does not seem too bad so i think if i just go out and get and start working on it i wil get agood feel about it and be able to pull it off

 

thats why do it on the side, it will take you longer but if you mess it up you can put you good engine back in and your only out a few days instead of a few weeks.

and if you wantto stay with a 2.8 then just get a junk 2.8 on do it to that one

 

www.boxwrench.net has an excellent dvd that leads you through all of the generic steps.

 

bastsibf- Prolly the direction i will go when it comes time to get the engine i will make the final decision at the time i am very happy with the 2.8 so i may stay with it

GTA50- Thank you very much for the link

 

thats what I'm going to do for now with my 2.8l but I'm looking at building a 3.4l and decking it out, but mines a project car so it dose not matter how long it is down for

 

What you COULD do, is find a lower mileage 3.4, sway that in straight away and then take your time porting and working on the heads on the 2.8 that is now sitting in your garage. They are the same heads and that is where the power is made anyway, so get them done and swap them onto the 3.4 along with a cam when you are ready!