Twin Cam HD Engine General Description: Harley Davidson(r) has thrilled the bike riding community for decades. Their unique design is captivating. Charlie Lawlor, owner of Short Block Charlie's, is taking performance to a higher level...
Top end piston and ring replacement
Rebuilding Your Auto Engine - A Wise Choice for the Car or Truck Owner
Is the engine in your car or late model truck worth rebuilding? Is the time , trouble and expense worth it or should you check one of other alternatives available to you such as a used engine , a full or partial professional rebuild or a factory service like rebuild - many of which now are being done offshore and being shipped back to U.S. automotive consumers ?
The do it yourselfer is faced with these options to evaluate when it comes to the dreaded time of a potential engine overall. Most likely you have gotten a good number of relatively trouble free services from your automotive engine and are now faced with the prospect of an engine overhaul. The decision to replace the engine bloc, piston, connecting rod assemblies as well as crankshaft depends on a number of factors, with the number one consideration being the condition of the engine block. Other considerations are cost, ready access to machine and auto shop facilities, parts availability, time required to complete the project and finally the extent of prior mechanical experience on the part of the do-it-yourselfer home auto mechanic.
Next consider the value of the vehicle. It has turned out that frequently the total end cost of the parts required to complete the task of rebuilding the engine is greater and more than the actual value of the vehicle. It can be said that often ego and pride of ownership gets in the way of a fair and true evaluation of the situation, its costs and reasonable conclusions on the suitability of the project at all. As a case in point one proud owner of what might be considered a truck that was long past its prime and in great need of repair convinced himself that expensive repairs were in order by himself when a quick tour of local area junkyards should of convinced that the truck itself could be replaced by any of the similar vehicles that were laying about these auto parts recycling facilities.
In such situations where the cost for a full engine overhaul is greater than the cost of a full and proper engine rebuild one option to consider is a used engine from one of above auto junk yards. True the engine may not have the full engine life of a rebuilt engine but there may be more than enough lifespan in one of these replacements which come at a much lower cost and may indeed outlive the body components and lifespan of the vehicle itself. In addition most of the professional auto parts recycling shops will both have tested and warranty the engine for a reasonable initial automobile test and evaluation time period.
It can be said that the vehicle may seem to have great value to you. The question to ask is "If I sink in this money and time of a full rebuilt engine will anyone pay me more for my vehicle or if I sell this vehicle will I get my money back?" The answer is usually "Probably not". However it can be said that devil you know is better than the devil you do not. You will have a vehicle whose history and maintenance background is well known to you. You will know the quirks and characteristics of the vehicle - of what to expect and what repairs as well are upcoming. Thus said sinking money and time into rebuilding your engine or engine block may make good sense to you overall in the end.
