When you come across an engine that has knocked completely or one that requires some of the parts repaired, it is often recommended to fully rebuild it if you are looking to restore it to its new condition. Some mechanics rebuild engines to maximize the overall performance of the engine. In this article, we will be looking at the basics of rebuilding an engine back to life and for other reasons as well.

Read more: Guide: How to Maintain and Protect Your Car Engine

Can you rebuild your own engine?

Yes, it is entirely possible to rebuild your own engine. Lots of people have done it before and with the right tools, a lot of patience and the right guidance, you can do it too. First let us browse the different options when trying to repair your engine. There are about three ways which we will discuss:

1. Engine Replacement.

In the case that the original engine block is damaged beyond repair, there is not much to be done by rebuilding other than to get a completely new engine. Other things to consider are the availability of spare parts and the time constraints.

2. Piecemeal Repair.

This approach can be considered as more of a maintenance style of repair. It involves replacing only the worn-out parts and leaving the other parts untouched. This ensures that the engine is running but is less likely to improve the engine’s power or performance.

3. Complete Engine Rebuild.

Saving the best for last, this approach involves a full and complete engine overhaul. It can definitely be the most expensive option of the three mentioned above, but it will guarantee you the best results, and will ensure long life to your engine. You might need to buy the needed components and an engine kit. Some of the components you might require include pistons, timing belt, bearings, exhaust valves, flywheels and many other parts depending on the initial condition of the engine.

Is it bad to Rebuild an Engine?

It is not a bad idea to rebuild an engine. If your original engine only has a couple of damaged parts, you can save on future repairs to the car. You can also save on gas because sometimes an old engine could have leaks that might affect the consumption of the car. By rebuilding or repairing your engine, you also save the environment by improving on the rate of gaseous emissions that pollute the environment. A rebuilt engine can last as long as a new engine with the right maintenance.

How Long Does It Take to Rebuild an Engine?

There are a lot of variable ways to answer this question. The amount of people working on the engine, their experience, the complexity of the problems diagnosed, the type of engine being rebuilt, the tools that are available, all these are factors that can affect the amount of time it takes to fully rebuild your engine. With all this in mind, it can range anywhere from two days to over a year.

Is it cheaper to rebuild a motor or replace it?

Building an engine requires the right tools, the right parts and the right kind of knowledge around cars. The labor alone can be quite expensive if you have a full team working on the car. Unless you have all these things at your disposal or you own a garage, then it is much more expensive to rebuild your engine. Not only could you end up spending more money, but you also have to go through the painstaking process of being in the garage every day to solve the new problems that arise daily. Some engines just keep revealing issues that were not at all prevalent.

Is rebuilding an engine worth it?

Unless you have a very specific or custom idea of what you want to do with your engine, or perhaps it is just a hobby that you enjoy in your leisure time, it is not advisable to rebuild your car engine. Especially if you have limited resources like time or money. If the car in question is your daily driver, then it is also advisable to buy a new engine block.

What is needed to rebuild an engine?

Now in case you have made up your mind and decided to rebuild your engine from scratch, here are a few things you might need:

• Engine crane. A 1ton or 2ton engine crane is suitable
• Engine stand. Once out of the engine bay, your engine block needs a place to sit as you work on it
• Engine rebuild kit
• Cylinder bore honing tool
• Camshaft bearing tool
• Piston ring compressor
• Torque wrench
• Silicone gasket maker
• Timing gear puller
• Air compressor
• Electric drill
• Basic hand tools set
• Service manual
• Oil drain pans
• Engine assembly lube
• Flashlight

What are the steps to follow when rebuilding an engine?

First you need to remove the engine. Here are the steps on how to take the engine out:

• Position the car near the crane
• Disconnect the external components
• Remove all electrical connections
• Disconnect the transmission
• Lift the engine out of the bay
• Next you need to start disassembling the engine block.
• Read the user’s manual for your specific vehicle.
• Inspect the engine.
• Inspect the external components.
• Take out the exhaust manifold.
• Disassemble the rest of the engine.

Reassembling and reinstalling the engine block.

These are the final steps, and you must refer to your earlier steps. It is recommended to take pictures or make markings earlier to make the process easier for you.

After you finish putting your engine together, you can then start reinstalling it back into the car. Attach it onto the crane, and slowly lower it down into the engine bay. After the engine is back in place, unmount it from the crane and start reconnecting all the hoses and electricals. Next you fill in the engine with oil and antifreeze agent. You are basically doing the reverse process of what you did when taking out the engine. Then all is left is to startup your engine. Make sure you break it in using the right process as instructed in the manual.