Engine Rebuild Question

[72ZDave]

I'm having my motor pulled Friday or Monday at our fab shop at work as the car is going to paint soon. I was talking with the owner of the fab shop and advised I'd like to have the head re-done for unleaded gas and we of course got into the top end vs bottom end rebuild. He said we could re-ring and bearing the motor while we have it out and send the head out for a valve job. He's rebuilt many engines, but never seen the inside of L24. Is this a fairly straight forward job to re-ring and put in new bearings in the stock motor (providing we're still within spec and don't need a bore)? Is there anything specific we need to be on alert for or anything else we should do while in there, like we'll replace the oil pump. I appreciate your expertise and input! Also, I do have the "How to rebuild your Datsun Motor" book that has been mentioned in the forums and will go through that as well. Thanks!

P.S. Motor has not been run since late 80's but was running when parked and oil in the motor appears decent. FWIW

[Oiluj]

Dave, you are about 2to 3 weeks ahead of me in the restoration process. Barring unforseen time conflicts, I'm pulling my engine this weekend.

I rebuilt an L24 a number of years ago. I was an easy engine to rebuild, but I didn't need to re-bore or do anything major. If the engine's out and money isn't an issue, why not start-out with a fresh engine? (That's what I'm doing)

You should get the head reworked for use with unleaded fuel. My advice would be to get a second opinion / reference on the quality of his engine work to be sure he's not a hack. With something as important & costly as an engine, trust but verify...

[72ZDave]

Dave, you are about 2to 3 weeks ahead of me in the restoration process. Barring unforseen time conflicts, I'm pulling my engine this weekend.

I rebuilt an L24 a number of years ago. I was an easy engine to rebuild, but I didn't need to re-bore or do anything major. If the engine's out and money isn't an issue, why not start-out with a fresh engine? (That's what I'm doing)

You should get the head reworked for use with unleaded fuel. My advice would be to get a second opinion / reference on the quality of his engine work to be sure he's not a hack. With something as important & costly as an engine, trust but verify...

Thanks for the input. I think we will have it mic'd and see where the tolerances come in and if we're in spec, we'll put in new rings and bearings. It's good to hear they're straight forward. I know the guy isn't a hack, but he doesn't wrench for a living, he welds for a living. I know the work he's done and can do this, but wanted any insight into things we need to watch out for. Best of luck on your rebuild and hopefully before long, we can compare finished pics!

[beandip]

I think I would have the valve work done by a shop that knows and does Z valve work. They are not like on a Detroit engine. If replacing the rings , you should at least hone the cylinders so the new rings will seat . Another thing to consider is to replace the timing chain , or at least the tension-er and the associated parts, the oil pump is a good idea on a high mileage motor. But you already mentioned the pump.

[72ZDave]

I think I would have the valve work done by a shop that knows and does Z valve work. They are not like on a Detroit engine. If replacing the rings , you should at least hone the cylinders so the new rings will seat . Another thing to consider is to replace the timing chain , or at least the tension-er and the associated parts, the oil pump is a good idea on a high mileage motor. But you already mentioned the pump.

That's good to know about having someone knowlegable on Z's do the headwork, but I'm in Northwest Arkansas and don't have many choices for guys that work on imports. If anyone knows of a good place for valve jobs in the AR, OK, MO, KS, TX area, let me know!

[d240zx2]

The premier Z shop in Houston is Awesome Z. Contact Doug.

FWIW.

Frank