FTO AUSTRALIA

I will be picking up, very soon, a 6A12 engine with a blown head gasket from memory. I have no experience whatsoever, but before you guys tell me im an idiot for trying, im doing it because a) Id like a new engine (wouldnt be all ) and b) Im planning on doing an apprenticeship in motor mechanics after I finish school, and I figured the best way to learn a bit before I start would be first hand experience. Im planning on doing it for the experience more than anything, not "just cause I can" (I cant )

If anyone has had first hand experience or knows about reconditioning engines and repairing head gaskets (Im planning on re-conditioning the whole engine, not just repairing the gasket),

- What do I need? - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MITSUBISHI-GA ... 0544218557 I would assume. I have a garage full of pop's tools, so tools wont be a problem. Is there anything apart from the gasket kit that is needed? (excluding tools)
- How much am I looking at spending for a whole re-co and gasket replacement? (Wont need to pay for labour, girlfriend's dad is happy to help out whenever I need it)
- How long will this take? I assume it would take a long time for a whole engine pending amount of time I have to be able to work on it?
- How much performance gain will be coming from the engine comparatively to an older engine (130,000 ks)
- Is there anything else involved that I am overlooking?

tl;dr - whats involved in fixing and re-conditioning an engine with a blown head gasket?

+12 beers next bonfire for best answer

Make it into a coffee table

silverGPX wrote:Make it into a coffee table

Not exactly what I was expecting but also not a bad idea for the old one

Want to know how I learnt to build an engine?

Stripped one down.

Given it's blown it makes little difference whether you screw it or not.

Just tear it down and take it in.

Then when you've done that, research what you need to replace from inspection, attain tools and rebuild.

Simple.

^^^As above as well for me^^^
I have done a few head gasket replacements.
Obviously need the VRS (head gasket) kit, new head bolts. Possibly need valve stem seals.
One tool you will have to have is a tension wrench.
You will have to strip the engine down until you can remove the head (follow the workshop manual).
You will have to check or get checked the flatness of the head surface for warpage, if it is warped it will need machining (the side that touches the block)
Check for cracks in the head and valves, if you do find cracks, although unlikely, you will more than likely have to replace the head or valves. If you are going to refurbish the head you will replace valves, valve springs and maybe tappets or regrind the valves and valve seats in the head.
You will be checking the pistons bores for scratches and piston tops for damage/burn holes.
If you are going to rebuild the bottom end then you will be able to remove the pistons and check them and the piston oil seal rings. Then you can replace the big end and small end bearings (bearings either end of the conrods, conrods connect the pistons and the crank shaft) and crank shaft end bearings.
You will be putting all back together via directions/tensions from the workshop manual (read it first).
Hope this helps, I'm sure I forgot many things but this is a good guide to what you will expect to be doing)

First step download the manuals. The engine/transmission manual goes into quite a bit of detail on stripping and rebuilding the engine.

Then do some research online. Plenty of info out there. Maybe buy some books.

Take your time. Learn as you go but learn to do it properly.

Best way to learn!

Oh and if you want to really get serious, google blueprinting.

Shane001 wrote: And if you want to really get serious, google blueprinting.

And google bank robbery

PHIL069 wrote:

Shane001 wrote: And if you want to really get serious, google blueprinting.

And google bank robbery

Nah, just very very time consuming. Don't know that you would see big benefits with newer engines, but older V8's and 6's used to see very good gains in both performance and reliability from blueprinting. Now if you were lucky enough to get one off the factory floor, it was like winning lotto

Edit: Second thoughts, robbing a bank might be a good start actually

As in engine balancing? I think thats a little too technical for me. I just want to learn how to re-build an old engine as close to new as possible

Thanks for the replies guys. I will be keeping track of the project and uploading progress (with pictures ) as I go along

good one Dan. but thats after you get the engine.

I'll pick it up in a few weeks!

Daniel2019 wrote:I'll pick it up in a few years!

take your time. you need preperation to pick it up. lols. not as easy. haha

Only issue i'll have is a place to store it. It will end up in the garage somewhere, but the question is where exactly

I'll have $ and a ute in a couple weeks time from now

and have another person help you move the engine around if possible

Daniel2019 wrote:Only issue i'll have is a place to store it. It will end up in the garage somewhere, but the question is where exactly

I'll have $ and a ute in a couple weeks time from now

First thing you need to buy is a decent engine stand. Get one with 4 wheels not 3. You'll see what I mean when you go looking

had one of this (same structure,different brand) back at home
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230757868661 ... 1423.l2649
works well imo

Would storing it permanently on an engine stand be okay? As in, for months at least?

Example in Akys post will do the job. No problem storing on engine stand indefinitely as long as you have it mounted well.

This is like what I have
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BRAND-NEW-10 ... 3369bdbade