Does Anyone have a Dead 3.9 they want to get rebuilt?

**Disco_owner** · 3rd July 2009, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

Ok - my points - no I do not have an engine but to do a rebuild properly without all the right gear and tools but can be a bit tedious and frustrating with certain specialist bits having to be contracted out. Rebuilding an engine can be a bit masochistic - tedious and frustrating but immensly satisfying in the end.

I appreciate you want an engine to practice on - that also implies making mistakes and possibly wrecking the engine in a worst case scenario or creating a masterpiece at the other end - and all in between.

Many dead 3.9s will be dead because of slipped liners - you need to learn all about this before you start. There are three remedies - refit standard liners (not good), use top hat liners to stop them moving in the future (can be expensive) or using a pin to hold the liner in place - most engineering places are not keen on this but some will do it - less expensive. Even if the engine does not have slipped liner you need to consider what you will do with the liners.

Most 3.9s have the lower compression ratio - do you want to stay with this or go higher with improved performance. What about pistons etc.

My original post in a round about way simply raised a couple of issues that you will have to decide on before you start the rebuild or about the time the heads are off - you obviously did not know about these.

Good luck with it.

Garry

Garry , I'm by no means an Engine Builder , which is why I asked the General Population here if there was anyone willing to to part with their motor for me to practice on , If you Don;t have an engine or donot wish to part with it , Why Reply to this Thread , I don't understand . May be I should change the Title ??? and Diana has willingly volunteered to part with her 3.5 ( Thanks ) . But I also did say in my post " Depending on the Condition of the Motor" meaning if it's got Slipped liners issues , I'm not willing to spend the dollars on it to get it up to standard.

I only want to to practice rebuilding an engine not to race it"

Re: Specialised tools , I'm sure I'd be able to get hold of tools.

**abaddonxi** · 3rd July 2009, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

<snip>

Many dead 3.9s will be dead because of slipped liners - you need to learn all about this before you start. There are three remedies - refit standard liners (not good), use top hat liners to stop them moving in the future (can be expensive) or using a pin to hold the liner in place - most engineering places are not keen on this but some will do it - less expensive. Even if the engine does not have slipped liner you need to consider what you will do with the liners.

<snip>

I thought the pinning could be done through the sump with the engine in place and that was one thing that made it cheaper. Is this not the case?

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

¿Qué?

There's this County in SA that needs some engine work.

**101RRS** · 3rd July 2009, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

I thought the pinning could be done through the sump with the engine in place and that was one thing that made it cheaper. Is this not the case?

Someone who was getting it done recently put up a post about it. I checked with a couple of engine builders and none of them recommended it and said they would refuse to do it if asked because they could not guarantee the engine.

Something I intend to investigate further.

Garry

**abaddonxi** · 3rd July 2009, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

Someone who was getting it done recently put up a post about it. I checked with a couple of engine builders and none of them recommended it and said they would refuse to do it if asked because they could not guarantee the engine.

Something I intend to investigate further.

Garry

Yep, think I'm thinking of the same post.

**Tank** · 3rd July 2009, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

I have a 3.9 but I want to have the fun of rebuilding it myself

- no I am not into S&M.

I will be going for top hat or pinned liners the price in rebuild is only marginal over normal liners.

The two questions I have not resolved at this time is whether to stroke the engine and whether to increase the compression ratio.

Garry

Stroking the engine will give it better low down torque, increasing the compression ratio will add a few more horse power if you combine it with other mods, but will usually require that you use higher octane petrol, Regards Frank.

**long stroke** · 3rd July 2009, 08:02 PM

We might have a couple of rocker covers on an old 2door rangie 3.5ltr motor

it's dads motor not shore if he will give you the rocker cover's i'll ask him

CHEERS TIM.

**Disco_owner** · 3rd July 2009, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

I thought the pinning could be done through the sump with the engine in place and that was one thing that made it cheaper. Is this not the case?

There's this County in SA that needs some engine work.

Simon , if you're serious about this county or considering to go down the path of the purchase ,I'll be willing to rebuild that engine properly

, I can do all the work out of my garage. if you do then you've gotta to decide wheather you'd want to go down the path of TopHat liners for peace of mind or just Normal liners , not sure the difference in Price .once I pull the motor apart I would be able to tell what parts are salvageable.

**Disco_owner** · 3rd July 2009, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by long stroke

We might have a couple of rocker covers on an old 2door rangie 3.5ltr motor

it's dads motor not shore if he will give you the rocker cover's i'll ask him

CHEERS TIM.

great ,That would be Orsome.

**big guy** · 3rd July 2009, 09:26 PM

Great idea buddy.

I did same many years ago on a VW flat four.
Learned heaps by making some mistakes and lots of questions.
Its not brain surgery and lots of fun.

Good on ya, I think there are possibly a few people that spend too much time on here.

Well done.

**Disco_owner** · 3rd July 2009, 10:08 PM

Hi big_guy

The good old VW straight 4 hey , how much better did it end up going once you rebuilt it? Did you end up keeping the car ?

yes I agree, never thought of engine building as Brain Surgery either , it seems around here it is

and no it doesn't need to be masochistic as referred to earlier may be a bit tedious ,but as the saying goes If you never never go , you'll never never know.

Thread: Does Anyone have a Dead 3.9 they want to get rebuilt?

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