Engine Rebuilding Project
December 2, 2002
Damages during disassembly … so far. This is the part I dread. It figures that when I actually go to do the engine in my baby, crap like this has to happen. Perhaps I was being too careful? How can that be? You’re so careful that you actually get a nervous feeling and start screwing shit up … yeah – maybe.
Now this mark is interesting. I remember making one mark and that was the picture below. This one is something I found just yesterday, re-examining the journals, I found this mark. Nice isn’t it? Perfect! Funny thing about it is that it doesn’t seem to be "fresh." Like it’s been there because it’s pretty smooth. A manufacturer defect? Can’t be – but you never know. Maybe I did do it and don’t remember?
Nice blurry picture. I must have forgot to turn on "Macro" mode on the camera – oops. Just like this mark. Oops. This one I do remember and it when I was removing piston number 1. Somehow, managed to score this by the rod stud and realized it right away. I just hope that the machine shop can get away with a nice polish job on the crank. If not, a .010 grind on the rod journals. Once they say they need to go .020 on this journal, I’ll probably be looking for a new crank – we’ll see.
Oops number 3. Piston wouldn’t come out after lightly tapping so as I had the butt of the hammer in the piston, I still retained pressure. I moved my "catching" hand just long enough to get a rubber mallet to encourage the piston to get out of there, the piston slipped out and landed right on the edge of some brace or part of the engine stand that gave me this nice little mark. Good thing about this is that it should make a difference at all since it’s towards the top of the piston, not on the wall. Speed Pro pistons are pretty cheap and heard that they are decent pistons so that is a thought 
I numbered my pistons. Some say you don’t need to (most say you should), but it definitely doesn’t hurt. If I have to regrind the crank, it probably won’t matter – but each piston/rod wear their own way. Whether it’s microscopic differences, or not, I numbered each cap with each rod to each piston. Always did this – probably always will.
Coordinating marks on the rod (above) and piston (below)
Next up should be a visit to the machine shop regarding the crank and block – stay tuned.