Which Rebuild Kit

hellonwheels · 05-09-2008, 04:19 PM

Hey guys Ive been looking into rebuild kits and found theres a few out there, I was wondering is there any one that is recommended over others, I dont want to buy junk and i have no clue whats good and not for these cars Ive never tore one down or replaced parts on one, Thanks in advance.

Styles · 05-09-2008, 05:14 PM

What are you goals with the car? Looking to boost it or stay na.

hellonwheels · 05-09-2008, 05:36 PM

I plan on staying N/A im giving the car to my g/f as a daily driver and its an automatic, i just need it to be reliable economical DD, ive been looking at the TopLine kits on Machv.com that come with everything, anyone have experience with these kits??? Ive also looked at the Howell kits but man there steep and they dont come with the timing stuff i need either.

Styles · 05-09-2008, 06:02 PM

Machv kit
95-99 Engine Rebuild Kit
00282
comes with all garbage
$549.00

howellautomotive
$350.95
Clevite 77 Main Bearing Set
Topline Replacement Piston and Ring Set
Bottom End Gasket set :
Melling Oil Pump
Comes with better bearings and oil pump for 200 less
So spend the extra 200 on a good head gasket Set

hellonwheels · 05-09-2008, 08:33 PM

I missed that, I had to go back to the Howell website, Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I did notice that Howells lowerend kit still uses TopLines pistons so they must be good right???? I still need to get a timing belt set-up with tensioners and such where should i get those from???

Locke · 05-10-2008, 08:06 AM

TopLine parts are cheap (but acceptable) factory replacement pieces. They'll be fine for a generic rebuild.

See partsdinosaur.com for timing belt stuff.

hellonwheels · 05-10-2008, 10:39 AM

Which headgasket shouldi go with? Howell recommends there FelPro and ive heard i should use a MLS gasket

tegster1 · 05-10-2008, 11:01 AM

Personally I like partsdinosaur as Locke had mentioned. I got all my timing parts from him among a few other things for my rebuild. Very easy to deal with and good prices from what I looked around at anyway.

heres a link to the head gasket kit 420A Chrysler 2.0 DOHC Head Gasket Set Avenger, Breeze, Eclipse, Neon, Sebring, Stratus, Talon
heres a link to the timing belt, tensioner (mechanical), and bearing VIN 'Y' 2.0 DOHC 420A Timing Belt & Tensioner KIT Avenger, Breeze, Eclipse, Neon, Sebring, Stratus, Talon Mechanical conversion package

dr1665 · 05-11-2008, 10:17 PM

It might also be good to know why you're rebuilding. If the engine could just use a simple freshening up, you might consider getting the complete upper and lower gasket kits from PartsDinosaur, as well as new, standard sized rod and main bearings, piston rings, and valve seals. Get a tube of anaerobic sealant from NAPA while you're at it. Pull the engine out and send the head to a local machine shop to be resurfaced for a MLS HG. Get them to go a general clean up of the head while you tear down the bottom end. If you haven't spun a bearing, bent a rod, cracked a piston, or otherwise broken anything in there, you should be fine to re-use the internals.

While the head is at the shop being machined (since they are experts and have precision equipment for ensuring a good HG seal), crack open the bedplate and replace all the bearings. Snap the old piston rings out, hone the cylinder walls, and double check your ring gaps with a feeler gauge from your local auto parts house. Then install all the new bottom end bits to spec and pick up your head. Assemble the long block and do the timing belt on the stand before dropping it back in.

If this isn't going to be a performance build, there is no reason to spend money on that which is not broken. Simply replace those items which wear out. The result will be essentially a zero mile engine that will serve you well into the future and you'll gain a great deal of valuable knowledge and experience that will feel really good at the end of the day.

Don't let it overwhelm you. Break it down into steps and individual assemblies and you'll see it's no more difficult than hooking up your Xbox or something. (Just messier.)

hellonwheels · 05-12-2008, 08:40 PM

Thanks alot I really do appreciate it. Not trying to sound like a Dumba@# but what do i use that sealant for?? Ive honestly never heard of it. The reason for the rebuild is it needs a timing belt and it has over 190,000 on it and its going tobe a daily driver for my girlfriend and i need it to be reliable and i figure nows a good time to go ahead and do it, I got a awesome deal on the car and its beautiful inside and out, i want it to run as good as it looks. Thanks for all the info and insight if i have any more questions or concerns I know where to go to ask.