rebuild 420a

[eclipsemaniac]

ok first off my car has 188k on the odometer. I have white smoke at times coming from the exhaust. I'm burning oil. It seems my valves are burnt. Is there any long term damage if valves are not replaced? My question is it worth just rebuilding the top half of the motor? or should the whole motor be done? thanks

 

[DCGuerrette89]

imo i would just rebuid the hole engine. u never know u could rebuild the top end then in 1000 miles the bottom end can go the u gotta rip it apart again. id just do it all at the same time so i dont need to worry about it

 

[eclipsemaniac]

Ok thanks for the info.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

imo i would just rebuid the hole engine. u never know u could rebuild the top end then in 1000 miles the bottom end can go the u gotta rip it apart again. id just do it all at the same time so i dont need to worry about it

You have no idea what your talking about and shouldn't be giving advice on something like this if your only idea is "might as well".

The OP can test the motor beforehand to see if it is needed to rebuild the whole motor, or if he can just rebuild the head.

Start with compression test, 420A compression should be in the lower 200's, mine reads 220PSI on all cylinders, that's the high side.

Service limit if i remember right is 177. Any lower then that and its time for a rebuild.

You could just replace the normal wear and tear components and be fine. Oil pump, timing belt, belt tensioner, water pump, etc.

 

[eclipsemaniac]

Thanks i'll check into it.

 

[Fotowntalon]

I agree with both, you can easily check compression and etc to make sure it needs done, but as DCG said, you have 188,000 on the odometer, chances are if something isnt bad now, it more than likely will be soon. If you are on a budget, just do the head. If you plan on doing any block rebuild anytime down the road, then I personally would just do the whole engine. This is of course you have the budget, the time, and most importantly the knowledge/research to know what/how you would like to rebuild it.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

I agree with both, you can easily check compression and etc to make sure it needs done, but as DCG said, you have 188,000 on the odometer, chances are if something isnt bad now, it more than likely will be soon. If you are on a budget, just do the head. If you plan on doing any block rebuild anytime down the road, then I personally would just do the whole engine. This is of course you have the budget, the time, and most importantly the knowledge/research to know what/how you would like to rebuild it.

Ugh i hate when people assume bad things are going to happen just because your approaching 200K.

With the proper maintenance and some smartly replaced parts it could easily have another 50K in it.

my N/T has 130K on it, and while a decent amount of things need attention or replaced, the engine itself is very healthy, with perfect compression across the board, and could remain so for almost as long as i take care of it. There are car's with mileage documented in excess of a million miles. All it takes is the time to give a crap and do what needs done to keep it going.

I've owned several cars above 200K miles and a buddy of mine is still driving an old 89 accord i sold him that at the time had 215K on it, that was 6 years ago.

I'm not saying its impossible for anything to go bad, because it is definitely possible, but the OP could possibly have a chance of using the motor with just a few well placed expenses with no issues for years, the OP doesn't have to sink over a thousand dollars rebuilding the engine just because of everyones stigma of 200K mileage engines.

 

[eclipsemaniac]

Im thinking of rebuilding the top half of the motor, since im burning oil. i just wasnt sure if the whole motor needed to be rebuilt or if you could just do the top. i love my car and i want it to run as long as i can keep it going.

 

[DCGuerrette89]

Ugh i hate when people assume bad things are going to happen just because your approaching 200K.

With the proper maintenance and some smartly replaced parts it could easily have another 50K in it.

my N/T has 130K on it, and while a decent amount of things need attention or replaced, the engine itself is very healthy, with perfect compression across the board, and could remain so for almost as long as i take care of it. There are car's with mileage documented in excess of a million miles. All it takes is the time to give a crap and do what needs done to keep it going.

I've owned several cars above 200K miles and a buddy of mine is still driving an old 89 accord i sold him that at the time had 215K on it, that was 6 years ago.

I'm not saying its impossible for anything to go bad, because it is definitely possible, but the OP could possibly have a chance of using the motor with just a few well placed expenses with no issues for years, the OP doesn't have to sink over a thousand dollars rebuilding the engine just because of everyones stigma of 200K mileage engines.

i dont know why you have such a problam with what was said. i said IMO because thats what i would do. i also plan on rebuilding mine for proformance reasons. i have also had cars with well over 200k 1 had 310k. thank you fotown for understanding what i said. but OP its your car and your money just do the job right and you should have no problams

 

[purplerocket69]

With anything over 125K on the 420As, I would rebuild the whole motor. You probably have bad piston rings as well, more than likely. If it is your DD, save up for a new motor and swap it once you have the motor ready to go and a few hundred on the side in case you need some other shit.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

i dont know why you have such a problam with what was said. i said IMO because thats what i would do. i also plan on rebuilding mine for proformance reasons. i have also had cars with well over 200k 1 had 310k. thank you fotown for understanding what i said. but OP its your car and your money just do the job right and you should have no problams

I have issue with you saying he should just rebuild "Because you never know". he could rebuild and due to the shops error (or his own if he does it, both of which has been well documented in this forum) his motor could let loose in 50 miles.

But this is the main thing i have a problem with

With anything over 125K on the 420As, I would rebuild the whole motor. You probably have bad piston rings as well, more than likely. If it is your DD, save up for a new motor and swap it once you have the motor ready to go and a few hundred on the side in case you need some other shit.

The stigma of mileage. This is just idiotic thinking. Saying the piston rings are more then likely bad just because it's over 125K? What?! That's like saying i'm going to die today because i haven't pooped yet. It's just absurd. My N/T as it sits is at 137,568 miles. And my compression still reads rock solid perfect, the motor runs great with no health related issues (idle needs adjusted, maybe a tune up, and the valve stems could use replaced but not badly enough to warrant worrying about it) and it could continue to run as such with the proper care and attention given.

 

[TheEagle]

honestly So many people fret about rebuilding whole motor vs part. The main things you should look at are A- whats your budget for this and B- look at all the parts and see if you meet spec. Yes, overtime wear and tear does work its magic that's why many people think higher mileage= a full rebuild.

Its nice to rebuild and have new, especially if you have the cash and the motors getting up there in miles. But if your hurting for cash sometimes somethings are "good enough."

As long as motors pass the tests and not otta spec too much (or have issues), let it live especially if its a daily driver.