[TD in DC]

I'm not mystfied by mechanical complexity in general, I have just never rebuilt an engine before. Luckily, I have never had to. Somehow, I don't think rebuilding carburators will have prepped me for this job. I do think it will be useful to "see" all the internals. I don't think I will have too much of a problem ignoring the mechanical aspects while I am on the track: I didn't seem to have too much of a problem "missing" the telltale signs that I was developing a problem last time.

OK. So, if a Honda rebuild would be somewhat similar, is there another rebuild bible for Honda or similar type engines that discusses anything that would be worthy of looking into in addition to the books I already have?

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by keithmckenney

entropy plain and simple

Both my VW campers have had NTROPY license plates. The first one (a 1971) lasted 305,000. I'm on NTROPY2 now (an '87 with 105,000... soon to get a 2002 2.5 liter Subaru engine).

Gotta love things that want to return to their original state of matter despite the amount of energy (blood, sweat, tears, and $$$) you put back into the system.

[}{arlequin]

probably no.... i wouldn't go too wild on it, and if you want to put *some* money into it, then port the head. other than that, your money will be spent on prep work and quality fasteners.

[chris prack]

TD don't sweat it. It's not really that difficult. Common sense and patience goes a long way. Take your time and follow the manual.

If all else fails you can feel free to contact me for advice or answers at chrisprack@adelphia.net

Good luck and have fun.

[TD in DC]

Thanks all. I probably don't want to do anything that will take the motor away from stock because it will move me up the classes for racing. It seems really stupid IMHO to do that when you are starting with one of the absolute lowest HP cars. The gains wouldn't be so dramatic that I would blow the doors off my competitors, so all I will have accomplished is moving myself up into classes where I wouldn't stand a chance of reaching the podium even if I were a good driver. No thanks. I plan to continue slumming in the low HP ranks for long enough to learn how to drive. If I ever do decide to move "up" in the world, I would likely do it in a "big" way rather than just tinkering around with t n/a 44 motor.

[wludavid]

Originally Posted by keithmckenney

zen not grok

Well put. Except that I would say that fully understanding the car would include being at peace with its "desire" for it to return to disorder. Ever notice that only people who don't understand cars say that they die? The car didn't die - someone just decided to stop slowing the entropy.

[APKhaos]

Originally Posted by chris prack

TD don't sweat it. It's not really that difficult. Common sense and patience goes a long way. Take your time and follow the manual.

If all else fails you can feel free to contact me for advice or answers at chrisprack@adelphia.net

Good luck and have fun.

Good advice. With Clark's Garage and the factory shop manual, its not rocket science. The key issues are:
- Go slow. Read every step carefully ahead of time.
- Keep it scrupulously clean. Two separate areas for dirty and clean.
- Be careful with fastners. Remove stuff carefully, and use liquid wrench and/or heat before resortign to gorilla force. Once the thread is damaged or the stud broken, life gets more complicated.
- Do everything. The engine is on a stand, so now is the time to properly zero hour the thing so you can trust it for a good long time to come.

The 911 oil cooled engines are so dramatically different to more common water cooled head and block designs that a specific approach is required. Wayne's book is a good guide to the secrets of 911 engine rebuilding.

The 944 engine is delightfully simple when compared to a 911 engine. Nothing tricky here. Its basic stuff, and relatively easy to rebuild.

[William Miller]

I agree totally with Tony.
My 1st rebuild was a VW.
I did the e-type straight 6 next (Piece of cake in comparison)
The SC engine was a little more complicated. (I'd say tricky) The hardest thing was cam timing and reading it in the book is much more difficult than actually doing it step by step. Wayne's book is great because of all the things Noah said and it is also a great checklist.

I think the hardest part for you right now is waiting.
No time like the present! Stop talking about it and just start tearing into it!

[TD in DC]

Originally Posted by William Miller

I think the hardest part for you right now is waiting.
No time like the present! Stop talking about it and just start tearing into it!

The minute my family gets on the plane, I will start tearing into it. Until then, I can only read and prepare in the very few minutes of peace that a married man with three kids under three years old can muster. And no, it's not when you think. I can't even do that in peace anymore either. Now that Sofia is being potty trained, she comes in to listen for any evidence of progress that I might be making, at which point she starts applauding and saying "Bravo Papa." Somehow, I never imagined my life would come to this (but I wouldn't trade it for the world).

[thomschoon]

The worst part of doing a 944 engine for me was the reinstall in an unheated garage in Syracuse, mid winter, anything would be easier than reliving that experience. It was so cold I only knew I was bleeding (again) when the wrench got slippery.

The motor was actually pretty easy if you read the threads and get the correct sealant (Yamabond) and materials, I only had a Haynes and some notes from Clarkes Garage, thing ran great when done. Good luck