15 replies to this topic

[Minicfc]

Hi all, in the process of taking my pickup apart and have just pulled the engine, the previous owner was kind enough to put a 1275gt engine in, but don't know what condition it's in as they never fully fitted it, just kind of plonked it in place. Was told it was a good engine but cant be sure. Was looking for some advice. Never rebuilt an engine before but I am willing to learn just dont want to screwup an cost myself a small fortune. So I guess my question is this do I a) have a go at rebuilding the engine b) send It to someone who will rebuild it or c) strip it myself and then send it to get rebuilt. And finally what are the likely costs involved in DIY vs pro rebuild? Thanks in advance for all the help

[grahama]

Hi,

I am a total engine novice and have just finished rebuilding mine, quite simple really, just measuring end float tollerence and making sure everything goes back in lubed up. Also a very good guide in the engine rebuild section. Also look at u tube for the mini mania vids.

Graham

ps, somethings have to be done in a machine shop though, such as skimming, valve guides, unleaded valve seats, unless you have the tools, but I didn't !!

costs, skim head and block, if needed 60, new valve guided and re lapping 75, did my own de glaze as didn't need a rebore, (tool 25), new rings for pistons 65, lots of research but very rewarding !! I guess that getting everything done at a shop would be double for the strip, work and rebuild. That's without clutch work, etc as not up to that yet.

Edited by grahama, 07 March 2012 - 09:18 PM.

[Minicfc]

Cheers buddy thanks for the advice, where abouts is the guide, do you have a link? Thanks

[charie t]

unless you do your homework you're best to leave it be. You could end up with it worse than it is now.
Get it running and see what the vitals are like before condeming it

[jameslearwood]

Best bet is to get piccies up here with photo bucket so some of the experienced hands can give you some advice on condition etc.
I'm a total noobie and nearly finished mine nothing overly complicated provided you have time and patience plus the correct tools for the job.
Best bit about it is you can spend the money saved on labour on upgrading and tweaking also are 100% certain what gone into your engine and what condition it is in.
The learning experience is amazing I didn't even know what the inside Of an engine looked like before I did mine.
Go into the engine project section and have a look at andyminimads and firefox's threads great insight. Haynes manual and the Vizards tuning the a series engine (yellow bible) is helpful

Edited by jameslearwood, 07 March 2012 - 10:14 PM.

[grahama]

Have a look here

http://www.theminifo...-just-building/

[Cooperman]

With all the help and advice you can get on here and assuming you have a really good tool kit then you should be quite capable of building it yourself.
Get a good manual to use as a basis.
Unless you are building a full-on competition engine, then it's all pretty straightforward.

Good luck with this and feel free to ask anything you like and don't worry about asking basic stuff - we're all here to help.

[Minicfc]

invested in the rebuild dvd, and got a quote from a machine shop to clean the bores, skimm the head, piston rings and im sure he said something about shells, for about £150.00 dont know if this is good or bad, they wont dismantle or rebuild though have to strip it myself and take it in then reassemble. i think the only things that are bothering me is the flywheel removal and setting the timing gear. have a basic set of tools, but is there anything in particular i should need? is there anything else i should be looking at changing when doing the rebuild? thanks for everyones advice already

[grahama]

The flywheel removal can be a right git to do, but you may be lucky, I was, so it can be an easy job. You will need a puller, halfrauds do one, and set uplike this



Turn the nut and tap, keep doing it and it will eventually come off.

As for timing, I can only talk about my 998 here, but on the crank and cam timing pulley there are two marks, line them upmfacing eachother and it should be fine for an initial timing when you are rebuilding. 1275 boffins feel free to correct me !!



Get yourself a haynes manual and have a read, all quitre simple to be honest, and have a look at the mini mania vids on U Tube too, although the timing on there is more involved as it's a more powerful engine, but the vids will give you the idea of how to put it back together and test tollerences.

Graham

150 for that work and rings and shells seems fine to be honest, but before you pay for a deglaze on the bores, clean them with some degreaser or parafin or petrol and see if there are any deep scores in the bores or pitting. Too deep and it will need a rebore. Post some closeup pics of the bores on here before you go, it will give you an idea of what to ask about.

Edited by grahama, 08 March 2012 - 01:19 PM.

[govig]

Shouldn't that split link be pointing the other way? Sorry Graham.... ;)

[grahama]

Excellent spot, yes you are correct, it has been changed, thanks for the warning, I checked the rotation direction before I did a final fit.

[PurpleXrA1NX]

what sort of price is it to get someone to rebuild an engine?

[Cooperman]

It depends on how much work there is. If a complete re-build is needed, including a re-bore, crank grind, new cam bearings, together with new pistons, new main, big-end and thrust bearings, new camshaft and followers, new oil pump, new clutch, new water pump, head skin & re-build, etc., and if the engine build is done properly and thoroughly with a trial build being done prior to final assembly, then a bill for c.£2000 could easily be expected. That much work is at least 40 hours at, say, £30 per hour or more.

[Minicfc]

Was having another look at the engine today, and the crank turns freely and have been told by a reliable source that the engine was in good condition before it was removed from the clubman, so think I am going to try and connect it up and get it started before I decide what to do with it, just think that the costs involved warrant giving it a go to get it started before I go down the full rebuild route. Any advice on what the best course of action is? Also thinking about stripping the head to check if the bores are ok but don't know if I go this far am I as well going through with a rebuild? Was also suggested that I do a compression test, but don't even know where to start with that one? Getting seriously confused with all the options on this. Ah, to rebuild or not to rebuild, lol

[Cooperman]

I think I'm a bit fussy, but if an unknown engine is out of the car I always check everything before fitting it. In particular I take the head off and as a minimum lap in the valves. Then I check the compression ratio by measuring and calculating. I take the rods/pistons then the crank out to check the rings, main & big end bearings and measure the crank end float. A new oil pump, timing chain and new cam followers are always a good low-cost thing to do. The bores should be glaze-busted or honed, if not too worn, and new piston rings fitted. If very worn the block should be re-bored to the next size up and new pistons fitted.
With all new gaskets you then know you'll have a reliable engine.
There have been just so many owners who have fitted 2nd hand engines without doing a strip & check, then ended up taking the engine out again very soon after for a re-build.

Edited by Cooperman, 08 March 2012 - 10:47 PM.