overhaul advice

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

Sheesh, just do a leakdown test and see what condition your engine is in!

You can make a smart choice based on those results.

-SP

yeah that only works if the gasket is so blown that it leaks under no boost.

[Hans@GZP]

yeah it doesn't look that bad if you do it that way, but so many guys on here say you should pull the engine, it is hard to cut through the crap sometimes.

Do you pull the hood to get the rear head out easier?

Yea, take the hood off to get to the rear head easier.

[green-lantern]

right and $2500 later how better off am I really when I have great compression and oil pressure now? Too many people do a full rebuild and their car never runs right again.

lol that's the truth!

I don't think most people get the engine rebuilt correctly. I'm a bit shocked to hear that you are contemplating replacing rings. I guess I should read this whole thread then comment. I'd never replace head gaskets and crank without honing cylinders and replacing rings. I'll read the thread and comment more.

[IPD]

i'll interject here to say that i DON'T think it's a 3/s specific problem.

i think that a LOT of people think they know how to do a rebuild, and probably only half of them actually do. hell, i don't know how to do it; and that's why i'm having someone who HAS done it help me out. there's a lot more to it than "bolt this onto that".

certain types of sealant can't be used in certain areas. certain types of gaskets work better in some areas than others. not all machining work is equal; but paying through the nose doesn't mean you'll get quality either. some people forget to replace EVERYTHING when they rebuild; and a used oil-pump, used water-pump, used balancer, etc is NOT getting off on the right foot. unless you've been around the "block" before (usually which involves previous rebuilds with some degree of failure) you likely won't know what you're doing.

all i'm saying is don't fault the idea of a rebuild. ray tore his engine down recently to "freshen it up"; it's not a bad idea. the key is knowing what you're doing. there isn't ANY margin of error on a motor you are trying to rev to 9000 rpms.