RX8SE3P wrote:mazdags94 wrote:I've rebuilt my K8 (head gaskets, etc.) and learned a TON. Now I'm looking forward to doing the DE swap because it will be soooo much easier
. I also rebuilt the DE (out of the engine) and my knuckles are in great shape. When I rebuilt the K8 it was in the car..... bloody knuckles
.
Hey did you go to a shop for most of the stuff or did you do almost all of the rebuild yourself. Because I am considering rebuilding my ZE but dunno if I should get a shop to do my heads and hone the block, then I put it back together?
Howd your rebuilds go - did the engines run real nice afterwards?
I took my heads to a shop nearby and had them resurfaced. As far as the timing, pulleys, cams, seals, etc. I did all of those myself. When it comes to balancing and machining, that's not for me. But when it comes to seals and timing, I can handle it.
After I put everything back together and filled up my fluids, she started right up, no problems. It did blow quite a bit of smoke because my distributer timing was a bit off. A few of my vaccuum lines broke in the process so the idle jumped a bit after reaching standard operating temperature. If you are considering new head gaskets, have the head resurfaced. It only cost me 90 bucks. It's one of those "just in case" type of measures. You'll have the peace of mind knowing that the heads will seat well. As far as honing the cylinders, are you looking for a bigger bore? If you're looking to do any honing (or even polishing up the cylinder walls) then I would definitely have a shop do it because if you disrupt the weight balance, then you might experience some issues later.
Now, on the KLDE that I just bought, the pistons and rings were replaced for me and I replaced the head gaskets, timing belt, etc myself.
Basically, for purposes of machining and balancing, take advantage of a machine shop, they have all the right equipment to ensure it is done correctly (and if it's not, guess who is liable
).
'94 MX3 GS (black)-- 2.5L DE w/ straight neck IM, SSAC Headers, KYB-GR2's, Intrax Springs, CM Stage I clutch, OBX STS, filled front & rear mounts, CAI- SOLD
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