I've Thrown a Rod - Now What?

[d3m0]

Well, I've thrown a rod for sure on my 420a. It was naturally aspired. What do you guys think would be the easiest road to recovery ? Taking it to a shop for a re-build or just buying a new motor ? I need an answer that is very budget-concious, as i'm not rolling in dough. This was my fun little commuter. Let me hear you guys' input.

Thanks!

 

[-noble69-]

did it make a hole in the block if it did then yes new motor if it didn't i would just get some eagle rods and might as well change them all

 

[BigRand]

yeah motor deeds to go to a machine shop and be cleaned up and inspected.....parts for the stock rebuild should run you about $300...labor on the machine work can vary depeinding on if you are assembling the motor or letting them do it.

I would probably rebuild it and have it put together by the machine shop (if they have a warranty of their work of course) and have the peice of mind of having a brand new motor and new parts installed on it.

Although with the budget being small If you just need it up and running and aren't planning on doing too much a low mileage second motor might get it done..although you don't know what has been done to it or how it was used.

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

Price it out through a machine shop and then call up your local yards and find out what one out of a wrecked car would cost. Do whichever is cheaper.

 

[rcjr9186]

it depends on your plans for the car... if it's nothing but a commuter than get some cheap stock rods, and have a shop assemble it.. if you can pull the engine it will save you some serious $$$ at a shop. if you plan on makin this car somewht quick i'd spend the extra 65-75 for the eagle rods... you say you are on a budget... what kind of budget? if you have some extra cash just layin around to get some pistons than bam there you go, you're ready for a a turbo or some spray

 

[dr1665]

i'd spend the extra 65-75 for the eagle rods...

Is this supposed to be the price for each rod?

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Assuming the block has not been "windowed," meaning has no new holes in it where there aren't supposed to be holes, you stand a good chance of being able to have it rebuilt. Google "Parts Dinosaur" to find a reputable vendor you can trust to offer you quality parts at fair prices. You'll also get them when he says you will. I don't think he carries rods, though, so your best bet for those is the Buy/Sell/Trade (BST) section on 2GNT or even on Neons.org.

You'll save the most money by removing, tearing down, and installing the fresh engine yourself. If you've never done anything like this before, chalk it up to the fact that you've got nothing to lose at this point. Just keep all the bolts in zip lock baggies for everything you remove. For example, when you remove the battery tray, put all those nuts and bolts in a baggie and label the bag "battery tray" with a permanent marker. This makes sure you know what bolts to use later when you put things back together.

So price around some machine shops in the area and ask them what they would charge to inspect a 4-cylinder short block that's thrown a rod. Depending on just how extremely you damaged things, you might get away with a simple polishing of the crank journals, but be prepared to pay to have them machined for larger bearings. They might also have to do this to the rods, since you wouldn't want to have one with different bearings than the other three.

Expect to pay about $300-$500 for a quality shop to take the shortie apart, clean it, inspect it, do the proper machine work, and assemble it for you. If the cylinder walls are damaged from this, you might need to step up to oversized pistons, but stockers can be found in twenty over.

I'm hoping you will just need a little TLC on your journals, a set of new (used) stock rods (<$100), new rod and main bearings (<$100), and assembly. Regardless, consider getting new piston rings and perhaps a new oil pump (<$150). Do as much of the work yourself to save money.

Good luck to you. If you can find a *good* used engine locally for under $700, that would obviously be the quickest and best option. Then you could maybe sell your old block for $100 or so.

 

[rcjr9186]

no, obviously i wasn't talking per rod i was talking about upgrading to some eagle rods... i think the stock rods are about 200 so i guess it would be a lil more than 75.. more like 100-120 depending on where you get them. and again, this is only if he plans on doing any hp mods.

 

[4UH8ERS]

DRIGGS, I think rcjr was refering to new OEM rods and you where obviously thinking about getting some used ones. Definately don't by new oem rods, because there 80 bucks a piece. You could actually get eagle rods for the same price. You could easily find some good used oem rods at a decent price though.

 

[Focker420]

I have some used oem parts such as a crank in good shape and also pistions, rods ect if you need anything used pm me. You will need some new parts like rings and bearings but could save you some denairo.