Low Budget GE Rebuild

[White87GT]

Well, I have this here 3S-GE that has developed Rod knock. I'm going to be tearing it down fairly soon, and replacing the bearings and every gasket on the engine. I would like to add some performance goodies too it, but I'm so broke it's not even funny.

So, the question is, given a budget of $400 + the cost of gaskets and bearings, what would you guys do?

Note - It needs to be able to run 100K miles reliably on 87 octane gas as well.

Thanks.

[blck87gtconv]

Uh.... mill the head. Otherwise, just go all stock.

That's not a whole lot to play with for a rebuild, yo.

[racerb]

Hey Tom, check with Orient Engines at (www.orientengine.com), they can probebly get you what you need fairly cheap. Also if you can do an inframe rebuild the cost is much less, as you don't have to pull the engine, just replace bearings and retorque the caps. But remember you will need to mic. (measure) the gernals to find proper bearing sizes and plasti-guage each one for proper clearence. If you have enough money you might want to hone the cylinders and rering each piston, just remember when honing to get a nice cross hatch pattern on the cylinder walls, not a straight groove pattern. There a lots of other tricks when rebuilding, but with a limited budget it's hard to do much. Good luck!!!!

racerb

[White87GT]

racerb said:

Hey Tom, check with Orient Engines at (www.orientengine.com), they can probebly get you what you need fairly cheap. Also if you can do an inframe rebuild the cost is much less, as you don't have to pull the engine, just replace bearings and retorque the caps. But remember you will need to mic. (measure) the gernals to find proper bearing sizes and plasti-guage each one for proper clearence. If you have enough money you might want to hone the cylinders and rering each piston, just remember when honing to get a nice cross hatch pattern on the cylinder walls, not a straight groove pattern. There a lots of other tricks when rebuilding, but with a limited budget it's hard to do much. Good luck!!!!

racerb

Bob, Orient Engine is less than 50 miles from me. What exactly do I need? Bearings and a gasket kit?

The engine will have to come out, as I'm putting a S-54 transmission in it as I do the rebuild.

I will be doing all of this myself, if that helps in the cost estimate.

[racerb]

Hey Tom, at the very least you'll need the connecting rod bearing, piston rings, head gasket, intake, exhaust, and maybe even valve cover gaskets. A complete gasket set should include most of these, but will probebly contain more than you'll need. Tell Orient what you need and they'll give a kit price.

racerb

[White87GT]

racerb said:

Hey Tom, at the very least you'll need the connecting rod bearing, piston rings, head gasket, intake, exhaust, and maybe even valve cover gaskets. A complete gasket set should include most of these, but will probebly contain more than you'll need. Tell Orient what you need and they'll give a kit price.

racerb

Ok. Thanks.

[White87GT]

Bob - I called Orient, and they do not sell any kits what so ever. They only sell new/rebuilt engines.

Does anybody know where a good place is to order gaskets/rebuilt kits for a GE?

[Jeremy]

$400 is not gonna rebuild that engine at all

maybe a cheap patch job.

[racerb]

Sorry about that Tom, check with NAPA or your local parts house, the should at least have the gasket kits. Also check with one of the JDM engine importers, several list our engines for close to what your looking to spend on a rebuild.

racerb

[White87GT]

Well guys, I'm with you. Problem is, my Dad isn't. He's convinced it'll be under 500 to rebuild this thing and get it back on the road again. I'd like to add the fun goodies (high comp pistons, p & p and all the other fun stuff) but he 'Just wants the car back on the road."

Bob - No problem, if I ever need a Toyota engine I'll go through them. They're close and CHEAP. However, according to my Dad 'It's too much"

I do appriciate it guys. Hell, I'm probably just pissed due to the fact that I'm out there tearing it out......alone. I'm about fed up with it and I want my GTS back on the road. /rant mode off.

Thanks.

[GTRJDM]

I think we all have to learn to look after our engines the best we can so we can minnimise the event of a rod knock or other problems that can happen. I dont mean not revin it high just mean waiting for it to warm up compleatly and useing good oil and the right amount

just my little input lol

[Jim]

Who's doing the rebuild and who's car is it, your's or your Dad's? Sounds like the JDM is the best way to go for you since it's close. If it's your Dad's car, let him fix it.

[White87GT]

jpuehl said:

Who's doing the rebuild and who's car is it, your's or your Dad's? Sounds like the JDM is the best way to go for you since it's close. If it's your Dad's car, let him fix it.

It's in his name, but it's a 'shared project'. That basically means that we argue over what's gonne be done with it and nothing ever is.

He wants to tear into this engine and see what's wrong with it, then go from there. I'm not sure what'll happen. Hell, the damned thing is still in the car for now.

[dansgts]

Note - It needs to be able to run 100K miles reliably on 87 octane gas as well.

You're only running 87??? I won't use 87 in mine, 89 at least, if not 91. Just runs so much better that way.

[White87GT]

dansgts said:

You're only running 87??? I won't use 87 in mine, 89 at least, if not 91. Just runs so much better that way.

Yup. 87's cheap, and it's recommended by Toyota from the factory.

Driving ~500 miles a week and the cost's pile up. 87 for both of the Celi's.