1G New Engine build for Local dsmr

[SasaniFab]

So Im starting a new build for a someone local here in ct. I figured id film my progress. The car is a galant vr4 which was hacked pretty badly. The engine was barely running..... Its a miracle really. I will be doing a basic forged build for him. Last night the engine informed me that it was ready to bend me Over. To start a flywheel bolt was completely seized and rounded over. I had to drill the bolt out. The pistons were completely destroyed. The ringlands were completely smashed together. The car was only making mid 400whp. I dont know how this is possible unless your a complete idiot. The car had fuel upgrades onboard but the owner was obviously careless. I also noticed some damage to the cam lobe. I still think it is serviceable. What do you guys think.

 

[motomattx]

You can try to polish that cam up, but if it wont come clean its trash pretty much, they arent usually worth fixing even though they can be fixed by spray welding. What do the cam caps and cam journals in the head look like?

 

[SasaniFab]

You can try to polish that cam up, but if it wont come clean its trash pretty much, they arent usually worth fixing even though they can be fixed by spray welding. What do the cam caps and cam journals in the head look like?

They look fine, the imperfections are concave. Which leads me to believe the cams were installed like this. The aluminum is untouched. If something passed through the al would be damaged. The cam is also supported by several other journals. It appeara that the damaged section just floated above the journal
And doesnt come in contact with anything. When pressurized oil hits the lobes its probably a few thousands smaller than the the good lobes.

 

[SasaniFab]

I wonder if I could tig weld the damage and throw it on the lathe

 

[motomattx]

I wonder if I could tig weld the damage and throw it on the lathe

No, it wouldnt bond properly due to the diffence in metal types plus you need to heat treat the area.

 

[SasaniFab]

Thats what i assumed, im gunna have him send it out. I think its worth it, its a small repair.

 

[donniekak]

Send it to delta cam. They’ll immersion arc weld it and grind it back to spec.

 

[brian9397gsx]

Ouch and a helpful tip on rounded bolts like that is a good air hammer with a sharp chisel. I don't drill unless it's the last resort. I'll usually weld a nut first or chisel the bastard.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Smashed ring lands makes me think way too much timing was being used.

 

[chrysler kid]

I think its trashed. Youre going to risk your reputation as a builder with that much damage to the pistons and cam?

Everything needs to be sent to a machine shop for a bill of health

 

[donniekak]

I think its trashed. Youre going to risk your reputation as a builder with that much damage to the pistons and cam?

Everything needs to be sent to a machine shop for a bill of health

I’ve been building engines for 15 years, I rarely if ever build for the Dsm community. They won’t pay to get things right most of the time, then trash builders for taking the shortcuts they demanded.

And you’re right, it’s not worth your rep to save someone else a few hundred bucks.

 

[SasaniFab]

I’ve been building engines for 15 years, I rarely if ever build for the Dsm community. They won’t pay to get things right most of the time, then trash builders for taking the shortcuts they demanded.

And you’re right, it’s not worth your rep to save someone else a few hundred bucks.

Oh no. My rule of thumb is.....My way or the highway. The block is going to the machinist. The head isn't salvageable , luckily he has a spare. The block need to be bored over .0020 . He is going with Je hd pistons and turbo tuff rods, king bearing. The block already has arp main bolts. The crank is perfect ....the bearing looked amazing. When and if I build an engine for someone I expect new bolts,gaskets and hardware. We are replacing everthing.......

 

[brian9397gsx]

That's what I would expect from you. I have a local who is extremely cheap also that I've done a lot of work for and to be honest it's been more of a charity case. Now he needs a trans rebuild and hes having trouble understanding how much parts cost. All this after I donated a transfer case time and countless supplies just to get his car unfucked and running after his buddy.

 

[motomattx]

That's what I would expect from you. I have a local who is extremely cheap also that I've done a lot of work for and to be honest it's been more of a charity case. Now he needs a trans rebuild and hes having trouble understanding how much parts cost. All this after I donated a transfer case time and countless supplies just to get his car unfucked and running after his buddy.

Unfortunately, life is full of sociopaths that smell a roadkill and circle around it like a vulture on the way to fresh meat (you and your passion for Dsm's or cars in general being the roadkill). People like you or us or I can be taken advantage of easily if you dont watch your six my friend, there are unscrupulous people out there that can sense your interest/passion/love for something and realize that you are more into their car running (because you love the platform) than they are and they will cash right in on that by allowing/getting you to do all of the work on their crap and even spend your money or donate valuable parts to their crap, and what do you get out of it?

If you find yourself spending more time or money on someone elses stuff than you are your own, step back and take a second look at what your doing! I now stand back and allow them to give up on their stuff and then buy it for myself if I want it, or tell one of my Dsm buddies about a good pick up and they get it, the days of me being used on stuff like that have been over for a long time.

Its like being in a bad friendship or unhealthy relationship in general where you are making the other person a priority and they are making you an option, at the end you just end up empty and used, that stuff is toxic.

I can tell you that there were times that I would find myself outside all day working on someone elses car while that person was at the girlfriends house, I get the car done and the buddy and the girlfriend come home and grab the now fixed car and take off in it to go do who knows what for the night (basically go out and have fun) and I dont even get invited . People sense the ability to use other people like that and they become absolute experts at it, dont let it happen to you, dont feed the a$$holes... give yourself and your time to people that deserve you.

 

[Vegas Smith]

I tried to help two separate guys last year who needed help fixing their DSM. I'd never met either guy and I went to help them for free. They both tried to sell their cars days after I helped them....

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I even have my share of those people. Want it fixed (whatever it is) but can't understand MONEY. I charge $50/hr to TRAVEL to there car and bring my tools and time but they think that is highway robbery. I now have a shop and a lift and they are coming out of the woodwork asking "can I put my car on the lift?". My answer so far has been, "Did you help put it up?"
They get the message....
Man Vegas, they were some low lifes but they do surround us.

 

[SasaniFab]

I can tell you guys, ive been extremely lucky. All of my customers have been awesome guys and compensated me accordingly. I dont expect to be payed hourly, lets be honest if we charged hourly these people would go broke. I charge by the job but because the cars are 20+ years old a simple job can turn into a all day affair. I love wrenching so I dont mind being in the garage. All that matters to me is that im appreciated...... So far I feel like I am.

 

[SasaniFab]

 

[SasaniFab]

Sandblasted the intercooler and recoated it. Had to bring the o2 housing to my buddies machine shop to repair broken bolts. Head is broken down....

 

[SasaniFab]

These parts have been fighting me from day one. The good news is i was able to save all of his stuff. Justin rebuilt his fp red which should be on its way tmrw. The block and head will be dropped off tmrw for machining. He brought over a huge custom intercooler that had been spray painted black with a blue skull? I sandblasted everything and recoated it . Looks great imo.