Due to the miserable and un-rebuildable state of the engine that was pulled from my Zed, I asked Jas to rebuild the duff engine that gixxar sold me.

 

Luckily, the bores in this engine were in very good condition, even though as one of the pistons was removed, it fell apart. Not sure how, but the bore survived totally intact and unmarked (all measured). Have a few good spare pistons from my old engine, so now have a complete set of very good pistons and a nicely honed block. Bearing shells suprisingly were almost unmarked.

 

The block has now been chemically cleaned after honing and is now ready for refitment of piston with new rings.

 

Heads are going in for a refacing this week and hopefully towards the end of the week, it should be ready for being reassembled with a possibility of it being fitted for the weekend.

 

If I had the cash and was tuning the engine, I'd deffinately be looking at uprated pistons. Have come to the conclusion that standard pistons aren't that great.

Good to hear that things are coming along :duffer:

Keep the reports coming mate :)

Hope to see you at meets soon them mate. hope car goes well.

good news mate, didnt realise you could use old pistons, but anything that saves money is good news, especially the luck you have had fella, be good to see you at a meet again.

 

think you be at sundays meet then?

Good Good

Glad to hear its coming together

:cool:

Are you going to keep it now that it's sorted? it would be a shame to get rid of it as you've fixed it now and made it look fantastic, and what can go wrong now if you drive it like you say you do. :wack: :duffer:

Are you sure the bearing shells are spot on ? Could get messy fast if they're not ....

They are like new so I've been told. Jas was quite suprised how good the bottom end was.

 

Probably won't be at the meet at the weekend.

 

Still unsure as to the car's fate. Will see how I feel about it when I get it back. I'll be driving it ever slower than I did before most likely. :(

Nice one mate i hope it goes well it would be nice to see in a zed for all the upcoming meets.

 

Craig

For the cost and time involved Si wouldn't it be worth putting a set of shells in ?

Its alot of work to do again for the sake of £100.

Mate, why not buy a set of new stock pistons and rings? £130 delivered from the states.

 

Not uprated but will last another 15 years no probs!

 

Might be worth it, save another rebuild not too far from now?

Pistons are perfect. No need to replace them as are the shells.

O.k will say no more mate James knows what he is doing.

Yeah, James is pretty handy. Build 30 or 40 engines. He's just finished a high powered 200SX actually.

I know i saw it. I pop in and see him time to time. We both do the same job LOL. You cant go wrong with him doing ur engine rebuild mate. :)

Yeah, James is pretty handy. Build 30 or 40 engines. He's just finished a high powered 200SX actually.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Si, but for the sake of the cost of new shells and piston rings I think your taking what could be a very costly chance.

 

I'm also not an advercate of honing. I really hope that all works well for you, but remember this is a high performance car engine with miniscuel tollerances and not a moggy 1000. I also know only too well as I've paid the price of this kind of job. You'd be wiser to stick some pistons in and go one size overboar. Job done and many years of enjoyment ot follow.

 

I'll do you a swap of a new set 87.5mm Westco pistons for you new wheels.

 

You know it makes sense.

It's only had a very light hone. Just to de-glaze it, that was all. So no need to rebore and pocket them. I'm replacing all the rings and seals anyway...:confused:

Good man it not worth the risk of not doing. Just make sure its a staight inand out job as its far too easy to over hone and then throw it back in because it woun't show up till its up to temp.

 

Really hope it all goes well.

Si good news that its all happening mate but please ,please ,please replace the shells!! I'm pretty sure the fact that I didn't replace the shells was the reason my first zed died after I rebuilt the engine. They were the only thing I didn't replace (stupid I know, but they looked fine, I didn't know better , and I was pressured for time). Dave

Mate, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling down about the car.

Don't worry - it'll be great when it's done.

It's one of my favourite looking Zeds on the site.

 

As for shells, I can't offer any advice there as I'm no expert. Are they things you pick up on the beach? If you trust your mnechanic and he says their ok, they probably are.

Shells have got no wear on them at all. Bores all measured with a micrometer. The guy that's rebuilding the engine knows what he's doing. He also rebuilds lorry engines for Renault. We all know how long and durable these have to last.

Shells have got no wear on them at all. Bores all measured with a micrometer. The guy that's rebuilding the engine knows what he's doing. He also rebuilds lorry engines for Renault. We all know how long and durable these have to last.

 

Thats right I also have rebuilt lots of engines for trucks and coaches. If you think zed owners spend alot on there engines try a £18,000 exchange engine on for size LOL. MAN or just a Recon Volvo for £10,000 these are plus labour LOL. No Si if james says that the shells are good then trust him mate he has more than enough experience and expertise.

Thats right I also have rebuilt lots of engines for trucks and coaches. If you think zed owners spend alot on there engines try a £18,000 exchange engine on for size LOL. MAN or just a Recon Volvo for £10,000 these are plus labour LOL. No Si if james says that the shells are good then trust him mate he has more than enough experience and expertise.

 

 

Hi Si,

 

Listen mate I don't want to say your man is wrong or anything but not changing the shells is suicidal. They may look good and have no wear marks on them but they are made of soft metal and take a bashing from the up and down forces of the con rods, this can and probably will distort the shape in some way and can cause low oil pressure and incorrect fitting within the jerenals (bad spelling). You should really replace them and check the crank to shell clearance to make sure things are ok before rebuild.

 

Reusing pistons I can deal with as long as the bore is not oval or tappered too much, but then you should check the thrust side of the bore and be careful.

 

I deal with 60 litre V16 engines with 8 turbos and 3000bhp and I know the Zed is not that size, but an engine is an engine and are all subject to the same type of stress, and when the boost kicks in it is not a gentle thing on any engine.

 

rant over and not my business and all but good luck and I hope you prove me wrong.

 

Scrawni.

Mine 'looked' fine as well Si, I'm sure its a standard thing amongst engine re-builders that they change the shells whatever??? maybe I'm wrong?

if the bearings are fine there fine! reusing pistons is fine so long your replacing the rings which you are!

 

as long as the heads are checked and the block, and making sure all the valves are ok,and new valve stem oil seals are replaced along with all related gaskets then it will be good.

 

an engine rebuild is not just relied on the fitter,the engineer who checks tolerances is just as vital if not more so!!!

 

as for the bearings,these can be done in situ,with the crossmember dropped and sump removed etc,so in worst case scenario this can be done just fine!but i agree dont scrimp whilst the engine is out.

 

greg

Going to replace the shells now even though they are fine. Will call MJP tomorrow. I understand that they are graded as well.

 

I did call James who's rebuilding my engine and whilst he says the bearings are fine, it's best to replace them.