davester
Jedi Trainee
Offline
My brother has just returned my '65 Sprite (that I bought in high school and then sold to him) to me after having had it for 40 years. He had the engine and gearbox pulled a couple of years ago for the purpose of installing a new clutch and it never got reinstalled. The engine itself is a 1098cc 10CC and is partly disassembled (flywheel, head, oil pan removed) and is now on an engine stand. A compression test just prior to removal was good, with 175 psi compression all around. One minor concern I had at the time was that to my untrained ear the bottom end seemed a little noisy (mild clanking noises), but perhaps that is how they all sound. My brother said that he vaguely recalls perhaps having bottom end work done in the past but can't remember specifics. The car has around 90,000 miles on it.
Now, I am torn between possible different directions that I could go. I am not wanting to sink a lot of money into making this into a pristine engine with performance upgrades, because that money would probably be better spent buying and refurbishing a 1275 (perhaps something for the future). However, I'd like to get the car back on the road relatively soon and if I'm to keep this engine I should probably take advantage of its current state of (dis)assembly to do some evaluation and perhaps make a modest investment to ensure that it lasts a while. One thing I do need to replace for sure is the back plate, which is broken at the starter. So, I'm seeking advice on how far to go here and what things are worthwhile versus what things are overkill given my goal. Here is a list of possibilities I can think of:
1. Replace the big end bearings. This seems easy. I figure I can visually inspect for damage and measure the journals with a micrometer to see if they are undersize This seems fairly straightforward.
2. Replace the mains. Same as above but I'm wondering if I can measure them with the caps off and the crank remaining in the car. Pulling the crank is going to involve a bit more work (timing cover, etc) and now I'm heading down the slippery slope of a major engine overhaul and I would start thinking about crack checking, etc.
3. Pulling the pistons and replacing rings. Now we're into the mode of perhaps fixing things that aren't broke (given the good compression). The obvious progression here is taking the block to a machinist to measure the bores and having him tell me that I need a bore job. I'm not sure I want to go this far but would it be foolish to not even do an easy evaluation?
4. Head studs. Should these be replaced? Is there a way to evaluate them?
5. Oil pump. Pressure was good. Is there really any need to replace?
6. Evaluate the camshaft for lift using a dial gauge. The lifters look good so there probably isn't a problem.
7. Replace the timing chain and/or tensioner. I'm not sure how.
8. Rear "seal". I'm not going to buy Gerard's kit because it's too much money for a motor I may eventually switch out. However, I'm wondering if there's any work that can be done to improve the effectiveness of the factory screw "seal".
9. Anything else I'm not thinking of?
I'd appreciate receiving some opinions on these thoughts.
Now, I am torn between possible different directions that I could go. I am not wanting to sink a lot of money into making this into a pristine engine with performance upgrades, because that money would probably be better spent buying and refurbishing a 1275 (perhaps something for the future). However, I'd like to get the car back on the road relatively soon and if I'm to keep this engine I should probably take advantage of its current state of (dis)assembly to do some evaluation and perhaps make a modest investment to ensure that it lasts a while. One thing I do need to replace for sure is the back plate, which is broken at the starter. So, I'm seeking advice on how far to go here and what things are worthwhile versus what things are overkill given my goal. Here is a list of possibilities I can think of:
1. Replace the big end bearings. This seems easy. I figure I can visually inspect for damage and measure the journals with a micrometer to see if they are undersize This seems fairly straightforward.
2. Replace the mains. Same as above but I'm wondering if I can measure them with the caps off and the crank remaining in the car. Pulling the crank is going to involve a bit more work (timing cover, etc) and now I'm heading down the slippery slope of a major engine overhaul and I would start thinking about crack checking, etc.
3. Pulling the pistons and replacing rings. Now we're into the mode of perhaps fixing things that aren't broke (given the good compression). The obvious progression here is taking the block to a machinist to measure the bores and having him tell me that I need a bore job. I'm not sure I want to go this far but would it be foolish to not even do an easy evaluation?
4. Head studs. Should these be replaced? Is there a way to evaluate them?
5. Oil pump. Pressure was good. Is there really any need to replace?
6. Evaluate the camshaft for lift using a dial gauge. The lifters look good so there probably isn't a problem.
7. Replace the timing chain and/or tensioner. I'm not sure how.
8. Rear "seal". I'm not going to buy Gerard's kit because it's too much money for a motor I may eventually switch out. However, I'm wondering if there's any work that can be done to improve the effectiveness of the factory screw "seal".
9. Anything else I'm not thinking of?
I'd appreciate receiving some opinions on these thoughts.