steps prior/post machine shop

[ArtJ]

I was wondering what steps must be taken before bringing a engine to
a machine shop, and conversely, what must be done post machine shop.

I am assuming that we must remove head ourselves, manifold, and obviously
all accessories.

What about major engine disassembly?

Should they be expected to remove crank, pistons, cam shaft?

What about measurements and judgements on wear of crank, pistons,block
bearing and more?

What will they spot?

Comments appreciated. I have never overhauled a engine or totally
disassembled one, but I am sure it is coming before many more seasons.

[Dave Neptune]

Art, depends on what you want them to do. You could take them a complete engine and they will give you a complete bill:eek:. Do you want them to do the rebuild or check for wear on the rotating parts?
It really depends on what you want to do verses what you want to pay them to do.
You really need to decide what you want to do first. The A-4 is a pretty basic engine and easy to work on as long as you have or can borrow the necessary tools.
Personally I would do the tear down and measuring myself. If I find something out of spec on the crank I would have it ground. If the bores are way out a boring job or resleave can be done just by taking in the bear block.
It really depends on what you want to pay for and how reputable you think the shop doing the work would be.
A MMI rebuilt exchange is quick and easy and we are pretty confident in their work.

Dave Neptune:cool:

[hanleyclifford]

Art - If you are going to do a rebuild on an A4 one thing I would do before taking the engine apart is a pressure test of the cooling passages. If the engine passes muster you know you have a sound block to rebuild. How far down you take the engine may depend in part on transportation issues. I like to take a clean and fully stripped block to a machine shop. The crank can be delivered separately. Don't forget to have the shop measure cylinder sleeve thicknesses. Regards, Hanley

[lat 64]

All mechanics differ in their abilities and some leave more of the assembly work for the shop and some do it themselves to save cost.
You will/should decide this based on your own experience or whether you have good guidance (a motor mentor to help you).

One thing I would say, if you get a bare block back from a shop and it has had machine work, it must be cleaned well. lots of grit and stuff can be in all those oil passages and bolt holes. Clean it 'til you get a clean rag to come up clean after wiping parts.

Take more pictures than you think is necessary.
R.

[ArtJ]

Art, depends on what you want them to do. You could take them a complete engine and they will give you a complete bill:eek:. Do you want them to do the rebuild or check for wear on the rotating parts?
It really depends on what you want to do verses what you want to pay them to do.
You really need to decide what you want to do first. The A-4 is a pretty basic engine and easy to work on as long as you have or can borrow the necessary tools.
Personally I would do the tear down and measuring myself. If I find something out of spec on the crank I would have it ground. If the bores are way out a boring job or resleave can be done just by taking in the bear block.
It really depends on what you want to pay for and how reputable you think the shop doing the work would be.
A MMI rebuilt exchange is quick and easy and we are pretty confident in their work.

Dave Neptune:cool:

Thanks Dave

The problem with MMI is that they will no longer rebuild your own block.
MY engine has been factory cooled forever right from Universal. I don't
want to end up with some engine that is on its last rebuild.
I'd rather keep my own engine. Just preparing for what will be coming.
I also have another saltwater cooled engine as a spare which I have
flushed and keeping running once a year.

[Dave Neptune]

Art, as you want to keep your engine, why not bolt in the spare:rolleyes: (nice to have) and rebuild "your" engine on a non rushed basis? That is a luxury I would like to have although my A-4 is 41 years old and raw salt water cooled. I'd like to find a good block if I were going to rebuild.

Dave Neptune:cool:

[hanleyclifford]

Art - Second Dave's motion. That place in Whitman (Reid's?) would love to rebuild and blueprint your "primary" engine. Regards, Hanley

[ArtJ]

Art - Second Dave's motion. That place in Whitman (Reid's?) would love to rebuild and blueprint your "primary" engine. Regards, Hanley

Hanley

Keep me posted as to when you are having them do your engine. Possibly
they could do 2? I would need better weather to remove engine,under
cover and a couple ft of snow currently.

Regards

Art

[hanleyclifford]

When it comes to rebuilding engines there are a lot of variables to consider such as personal skill and experience, time of year, availability of shop space, suspected needs of the engine etc. All costs have to be considered. If I had an engine failure on the road I would probably go for the Moyer Marine short block exchange package. If you start adding up all of the machine procedures involved in a rebuild, haul out and rental costs, tool requirements, the price is right. In addition there is no finer warranty service or tech support than what is available from this outfit.

[ArtJ]

Hanley

If Moyer will rebuild my block, when the time comes it will go to them.