take apart my motor for fun?

[Alex Bland]

Hey so i just bought a truck so theres no need for me to be driving my dsm, And i wanna build it soon but im worried cause ive never rebuilt a motor, so i was woundering if you guys think it would be smart if i pulled my motor and took it apart and put it all back together with the same parts (just for learn i) that way if i mess up it wont matter. I just dont want to spend a bunch of money and mess stuff up on it! thanks for input

 

[DSMReviver]

please do not take you car apart, i repeat, do no take your car apart, if its in working order. there is no reason. if you do, its like digging a hole with a bunch of worms. you are just looking for troubles to come. if you did take things apart and forgot how to put things back together, you will just end up killing the car. from the look of it, you have a fine/nice 1g. i say, keep it and upgrade it and make it a fun car or you can sell it to someone who really appreciated. they can be a value in the eye of the beholder.

If you are in need of a learning experience i suggest going to junk yard and taking things apart there. its cheaper and its not yours.

 

[Alex Bland]

well its eather my car sits untill i can rebuild it and trust that i can do it right the first time, or while its sitting there i learn from it. I wont be driving it at all untill after i build it

 

[97 DSM Gs-T]

well think it wont hurt if you take it apart and put it back together since your gonna be rebuilding it soon..so i dont see why you shouldnt practicing taking it apart now..better now then later when you have all the good stuff in it. i think theres no better way besides getting in their and seeing for yourself. just dont forget to take pics, videos, and bag n tag everything you take off..this will make it so much easier.

 

[98mitsubishigst]

Why on earth would you want to just rip apart a engine and put it back together with the same parts... i know for learning purposes but especially if its your first time, your bound to torque something wrong or something dumb and mess up your perfectly good motor..

Go to the junkyard and have them give you a motor =) and take that apart and put it together.

 

[Novec64]

if i pulled my motor and took it apart and put it all back together with the same parts (just for learn i) that way if i mess up it wont matter. I just dont want to spend a bunch of money and mess stuff up on it! thanks for input

Why are you set on not driving it until you rebuild it? Cars are more fun than trucks in the summer. How about picking up a spare block?

 

[DSMReviver]

well its eather my car sits untill i can rebuild it and trust that i can do it right the first time, or while its sitting there i learn from it. I wont be driving it at all untill after i build it

Let me say this, if the car is in good running order. there is no need to rebuild it. you are wasting your money down the drain. you could spend that money on a good turbo, injector, intercoolers, ecu etc...

Stock 4g63 can handle 500-600hp+, and its been proven time and time again. If you don't have funds($5000-6000k laying around) to support beyond 600+hp i suggest don't waste your money on a rebuild. there is no need to rebuild if the motor dose not need a rebuild.

Ok lets just say that you have money laying around, do you have knowledge of how everything works?

-you are gonna need to find all the torque specs.
-torque sequencing order on the main and heads.
-proper why to install rod, crank, pistions, bearings etc.
-proper tool for timing
-proper way to set timing
-properly hook up vacume lines
-properly connect all the connectors
-install power sterring
-engine lift if you have one
-prime the oil pump
-proper way to install clutch

These are just some random lists that you should consider, as you can see there is alot of work going into it. Im sure i am missing alot of things to consider. Its not like walking in the park. if rebuild were that easy we wouldn't need a shop or machine shop to rely on. everybody would be doing it on their own... Please reconsider...its alot of work.

 

[JasonStern]

I'd do a compression/leak down test. if your motor is fine, then leave it alone. but if compression is low or uneven, then now probably would be a good time to do a ring and valve job while you aren't depending on your DSM as a daily driver.

I'll also add that you cannot reuse all of the existing parts... if you reuse the piston rings, gaskets, etc. they won't seal. so if you do tear it apart, expect to be out an overhaul kit at the minimum. if the head comes off, get it resurfaced to ensure your head gasket seals. if the block comes out, get it decked too and you can run a stronger MLS head gasket. also get the block tanked if it comes out - you'd be surprised how much gunk builds up in a block over its lifetime.

but do not attempt any of this if you don't have any friends that are mechanically inclined/experienced. odds are you will get stuck somewhere. and I do speak from experience for all of this.

 

[Alex Bland]

well i know what you mean by theres no need too. But i like to know how to do stuff to my own cars. I was thinking of getting a motor from the junk yard like you said But how would i know if i messed it up or did it right? unless i found a 91 turbo dsm in there right? i know its more fun but it also costs alot more haha! and im working all the time so i wont have time to go drive around right now anyway =[

im not waisting any money to rebuild it just to learn from it. all the junkyards around here have n/t dsm's think i should pull one of them and take it apart and look around in it. i really want to be able to start it again and see that i did it the right way

 

[ThomasGSX]

If your engine is fine, do not take it apart. As stated above, the engines stock can hold 500-600 horse power safely. If you are wanting to learn how to work on it, you will in due time. The way I learned is just fix it when it breaks and learn during the process. Give it time. Things will break and you will learn. After all, it is a DSM......




P.S. IF you do decide to tear it apart and work on it. Be sure to note the orientation of EVERYTHING along the way. Remember, the camera phone is a mechanic's best friend!!!

 

[Novec64]

well i know what you mean by theres no need too. But i like to know how to do stuff to my own cars. I was thinking of getting a motor from the junk yard like you said But how would i know if i messed it up or did it right? unless i found a 91 turbo dsm in there right? i know its more fun but it also costs alot more haha! and im working all the time so i wont have time to go drive around right now anyway =[

im not waisting any money to rebuild it just to learn from it. all the junkyards around here have n/t dsm's think i should pull one of them and take it apart and look around in it. i really want to be able to start it again and see that i did it the right way

After you build the junkyard engine throw that in your car. If you must do it, at least if you do it that way and lose motivation you won't have your car ripped apart. Don't be afraid to tackle it, but it is a lot to do.

If your engine is fine, do not take it apart. As stated above, the engines stock can hold 500-600 horse power safely. If you are wanting to learn how to work on it, you will in due time. The way I learned is just fix it when it breaks and learn during the process. Give it time. Things will break and you will learn. After all, it is a DSM......

I completely agree

 

[DSMReviver]

So you are looing for a learning experience? the best way to do this is to go to a shop/performance and work for free(on weekends or what ever).

you dont want to start taking things apart(on your car) and end up with parts laying around and don't know how it goes.

sound like you just want to trash your car, if so, then so be it. if all else fail, you will probably crush the car and say fu*k it. I've seen people like you in the past and i already know how this is gonna turn out.

 

[Alex Bland]

After you build the junkyard engine throw that in your car. At least if you do it that way and lose motivation you won't have your car ripped apart. Don't be afraid to tackle it, but it is a lot to do.

wont i need to find a ecu to start it? or will mine start it cause only dsms around are n/t like i said and all the ecu's have been stolen already

 

[ThomasGSX]

wont i need to find a ecu to start it? or will mine start it cause only dsms around are n/t like i said and all the ecu's have been stolen already

I believe with the 4g63 N/T you can use that as a replacement, can't you? or are the 4G63's different then the 4G63T??? I think the only difference is the turbo.and intake set up. The 420a's are different for sure though. I believe that actually is a Neon engine.

 

[Deuce_three]

I say get a junkyard shortblock and start from there. That's what I did. Only difference was no squirters and it wasnt tapped for a knock sensor (not a problem). Jus make sure you get one with a good crank, I swear, that was the death of most of the nt i saw at the junkyard..

 

[misterjose]

take a lot of pictures of before and after. so you know how to put things back together, label it and make sure the labels don't fall off and get yourself a service manual. i want to do the same thing but i dont trust myself yet

 

[white92talontsi]

If it ain't broke fix it til it is!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[jimbob_843]

I say learn as you go, when and if something goes wrong THEN fix it. Go head and try to tear it apart to learn and end up with no dsm. Most of us dont have the money to take that pointless risk but hey if you do then go for it. We're still gonna be here for help

 

[DSM nOOb]

its your car do whatever you want

 

[Alex7747]

Its your car and you can do what you want. But if its a running car, why pull the engine? when i first got my dsm i didnt know a thing about cars or engines! And after it spun a rod bearning i was force to make a desicion, either take it to a mechanic and have them fix it or pull the motor out and learn how to. I chose to pull the engine out myself, and honestly it wasnt that much work as everyone makes it out to be. You will learn a lot on the way as well. I did the complete rebuild 100% on my own and im 18 years old. So i say if you want to learn more about dsms and engines in general, pull it out (but if your gonna use the old internal and stuff i would at least go with a rebuild kit). It might take you a while to get it done though. It took me about 2 months to finally start her up again. But only because it took me a while to save the money Haha.
Or do the shortblock ideas stated above

 

[Alex Bland]

So you are looing for a learning experience? the best way to do this is to go to a shop/performance and work for free(on weekends or what ever).

you dont want to start taking things apart(on your car) and end up with parts laying around and don't know how it goes.

sound like you just want to trash your car, if so, then so be it. if all else fail, you will probably crush the car and say fu*k it. I've seen people like you in the past and i already know how this is gonna turn out.

Wow if you really got that from what ive said then thats sad. Ive said i want to learn how to rebuild a engine correct before i do the build that i have set-up. How is that wanting to trash my car. Im not some stupid kid thats just "oh turn up the boost to 40psi and race everyone!" i know where parts go and how they work, Ive been around cars all my life and looked up random things about them for a long time. I just never had the chance to rebuild a engine. So i think you should learn before you judge

 

[SpawnedX]

Rule of thumb: If the car runs and drives smoothly, drive it on until it doesn't, then take it apart.

 

[Alex Bland]

Rule of thumb: If the car runs and drives smoothly, drive it on until it doesn't, then take it apart.

well i was planning on keeping it in the garage untill build time. unless it snows again then maybe it wont run smoothly after i take it out for some fun

 

[90moneypit]

Rebuilding the short block isn't that hard. Rebuilding the head... that's a different story. With either one though, you'll be visiting the machine shop anyway since most people don't have the equipment to properly bore, deck and otherwise machine them. No matter what you may think, buying a junk 4g63 to practice on will be cheaper in the long run. Especially if you screw up at some point. Instead of ruining the fresh shiny parts, you'll be ruining something that was going to be melted for scrap anyways. Invest in a factory shop manual or at least a Haynes service manual and a QUALITY torque wrench. If you buy a Craftsman, immediately send it in to have it re-certified, you don't know how long it's been sitting on the shelf or who has been dorking around with it. Go ahead and buy a cheap ebay re-ring and bearing kit so you can check your tolerances before and after applying torque. Also get a good supply of plasti-gauge since you'll probably tear it apart a few times anyway plus it's cheap. Don't forget all the other things mentioned above along with an engine stand and a few trays to lay parts in and help separate component groups and all those bolts. You'll also want a notebook to sketch pics, bolt locations, and torque specs. Camera phones and greasy hands don't mix! If you want pictures, set up a camcorder on a tripod, it'll catch everything, including your mistakes if you can admit to making them. All that is from my personal experience and reflection on where I was right and what I did wrong plus what I didn't do at all but should have.

Good luck with the build, you have a clean looking car and a chance to have something really nice if you do it right. Looking for advice beforehand, shows you're headed in the right direction! Also, check VFAQ.com for some great write ups if you haven't already.

 

[Alex Bland]

Rebuilding the short block isn't that hard. Rebuilding the head... that's a different story. With either one though, you'll be visiting the machine shop anyway since most people don't have the equipment to properly bore, deck and otherwise machine them. No matter what you may think, buying a junk 4g63 to practice on will be cheaper in the long run. Especially if you screw up at some point. Instead of ruining the fresh shiny parts, you'll be ruining something that was going to be melted for scrap anyways. Invest in a factory shop manual or at least a Haynes service manual and a QUALITY torque wrench. If you buy a Craftsman, immediately send it in to have it re-certified, you don't know how long it's been sitting on the shelf or who has been dorking around with it. Go ahead and buy a cheap ebay re-ring and bearing kit so you can check your tolerances before and after applying torque. Also get a good supply of plasti-gauge since you'll probably tear it apart a few times anyway plus it's cheap. Don't forget all the other things mentioned above along with an engine stand and a few trays to lay parts in and help separate component groups and all those bolts. You'll also want a notebook to sketch pics, bolt locations, and torque specs. Camera phones and greasy hands don't mix! If you want pictures, set up a camcorder on a tripod, it'll catch everything, including your mistakes if you can admit to making them. All that is from my personal experience and reflection on where I was right and what I did wrong plus what I didn't do at all but should have.

Good luck with the build, you have a clean looking car and a chance to have something really nice if you do it right. Looking for advice beforehand, shows you're headed in the right direction! Also, check VFAQ.com for some great write ups if you haven't already.

thanks for all the awesome info! just woundering can i find any 6 bolt and my ecu will start it? thats onlything im confused about