Engine rebuild in basement..?

[JohnnyP]

I've read about a lot of you doing some engine rebuilds in your basements (during these winter months), or garages, depending on your location.

So, depending on how easily accessible your basement is, how do you get the engine there? I would really like to rebuild my L24 in my 280z, but my basement is only accessible from a bulk head (outside, obviously) or another staircase indoors, not the best option..

If anyone has been in my same position, do you have any advice for a young aspiring mechanic, on how to successfully transfer the engine?

Happy Holidays,

John

[Jeff G 78]

Getting it in there is easy. Tear it down, clean the parts and take it down in pieces. Getting it out is much harder. I rebuilt my first L28 in my basement 25 years ago and it was a pain to get out. It took four of us to carry it up the stairs and out the door. I don't think I would do it again that way. The problem was that it was hard for four people to fit up the narrow stairway and through the door. One idea I had was to attach 2x4s to each side of the engine so everyone could stand at the ends of the handles and stay closer to each other rather than if they were holding the engine directly.

[geezer]

First off, you should get a good "how to" book on rebuilding the Nissan L6. Since you will have to disassemble and inspect the engine to determine if it needs to be sent to the machine shop, it would be preferable to do this before slugging it down a flight of stairs. Many engines I disassemble right in the box of my pickup. Then I just drive over to the machine shop and drop off the block, crank, pistons, rods and whatever else requires their services. It wont be too difficult for two guys to get the block into your basement for assembly; getting it out shouldn't be too bad either if you can strap it to a fridge cart.

[JohnnyP]

Yeah I do plan on getting a "how to" for the L6. Seeing as this will be my first rebuild, I want to take my time, and do everything properly. I'd rather have spring time roll around and not be finished yet, than have to be shopping for a new engine. Now that I put more though into it, it doesn't seem like it will be to to difficult getting it in and out of the basement, given the proper steps are taken.

Any recommendations for a good "how to" book? Are there any certain preparations I should take, before getting started?

Thanks again for the help on this one,

John

[Jeff G 78]

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/TB/70-1041

It's even on sale!

[Arne]

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/TB/70-1041

It's even on sale!

I second the above recommendation. You'll want a good service manual, too, preferably a factory manual.

[zhead240]

recently i replace my hot water tank and the plumber had a dolly with a battery hydrolic system that would walk the unit up or down stairs, no muscle power needed. looked to be home made of alluminum. enabled the company to save manpower and money by only needing one person to do the job. check out furniture and plumbling companies to see if they have such a unit and ask if u can rent it for a few hours when they're closed and don't need it.

[JohnnyP]

zhead240, I'll have to look around for one of those units, sounds very handy. The above link is the manual I hear a lot of nissan/datsun guys using, good responses all around. Look like Im going to have a very productive winter! Im looking forward to my first rebuild, Thanks again for the advice. I'll be sure to update as I begin, and as progress is made, maybe in a new thread? At any rate, everyones help is appreciated, and valued.

John

[geezer]

recently i replace my hot water tank and the plumber had a dolly with a battery hydrolic system that would walk the unit up or down stairs, no muscle power needed. looked to be home made of alluminum. enabled the company to save manpower and money by only needing one person to do the job. check out furniture and plumbling companies to see if they have such a unit and ask if u can rent it for a few hours when they're closed and don't need it.

Ahh! Maybe that's how they built those pyramids!

Another thought. Keep your eye out for an old couch cushion and set it aside for when needed, to put down on a cart or dolly, so as to not scratch up a newly rebuilt & painted engine.

A few specialized tools are another thing you need to consider, either buying, renting or borrowing. The book recommended should cover this, but a few things that come to mind are:

Cylinder hone (unless done by the machine shop)

Ring installation expand tool

Rubber caps to cover rod studs when installing into cylinders

Ring compressor

Plasti-gauge (for checking bearing clearances)

Torque wrench

Good files for correcting ring end gaps

This list could be expanded quite a bit, but these are the basics I have on hand along with a set of inside & outside micrometers that you will not need if the machine shop is going to evaluate what you bring them. I would recommend having them measure it up and order the needed parts. Sometimes, paying up front for some professional services will save you a lot of grief and money in the long run, until you are comfortable doing it yourself.

Edited December 12, 2009 by geezer

[Jeff G 78]

If you don't have the Factory Service Manual, you can download it free here http://www.xenons30.com/index.html

Be sure to ask lots of questions here if you are not 100% sure about something. You will have an answer within hours if not minutes and you can save yourself a lot of problems later.

Good luck!

[JohnnyP]

Im getting all my engine rebuild literature lined up, and than, its off to borrow/rent an engine lift and stand (although I wish to buy a stand). I will be frequenting this forum for advice, tips and any bits of needed information as I move along. Wish me luck, I am about to embark on my first engine tear down and rebuild. I am looking forward to this winter!

Thanks to all for your feedback and assistance,

John

[geezer]

My curiosity got the best of me so I looked for an example of a motorized appliance cart. I had never seen one before. Great idea! Bet you could find a delivery guy willing to bring an engine up or down the stairs for you for a reasonable fee.

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/lecq-equipement/motorized-cart-37742-358603.html

Edited December 13, 2009 by geezer