Re-Build or NO Re-Build

[William Chatham 1]

should i rebuild a motor if it still runs good and strong, but im doing a ground up restoration?

[COMMANDO6 20]

Sorry, I don't really have an opinion. If it runs fine, then it would be kinda silly to rebuild it.

Also, they should make a show about that...

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Think I'd wait until it needs it.

[Kelly 1,030]

I've had worn out engines run good, at least tear it apart and regasket it, that way you can check it out and see how good or not it is, if in good shape button it up and be done.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,531]

I'm with Kelly on this one. Give it a good cleaning, gaskets and a nice coat of paint and keep on running it.

Mike................

[massey 118]

Do a differential comperssion check on it if you can and that will tell you alot.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

I would probably at least re-ring it and re-seal it if I was doing a complete restoration, but thats just me. Of corse the engine is my favorite part of any resto.

Matt :flags-texas:

[Kelly 1,030]

A leak down test will be best but most people don't have the tester for that.

[oldredrider 2,553]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's all I've got to say about that.

[SousaKerry 502]

Do the top end leave the bottom alone, Replace head gasket and while you have it off clean everything out real good, replace all the easy seals as said above. I,e. fuel pump, breather, timing cover, carb to engine, carb to air cleaner...

I would thrown in a carb kit, rebuild the points and put on a fresh new coil while I was in there. Scrub it down with de-greaser and wire brush all the fins. Duplicolor makes some great high heat engine paints that will stick to almost anything even if you miss a few oil spots

[JackC 617]

I would at least do a compression test to check the overall health of the engine.

If it is a two cylinder they both should be within about 10 to 15% of each other.