advice needed with changing conrods

[seatcupramad23]

yeah i've seen those tools, do you connect it to a power drill

 

[James.Judd.1]

yes, preferably one that you know the RPM
Medium grade stone is what I used using brake fluid as lube.

Came out well, takes a bit of practice to get the stroke right but you get the feel for it in the end

 

[seatcupramad23]

cheers james

 

[chaazza]

I'm in the same boat going to be fitting rods my self

 

[akchappers]

Tell you what mate you've balls the the size of cannon balls! Brave man to do it yourself! Well done buddy! I'd poo myself!
Ak

 

[seatcupramad23]

well i think the most technical bits are getting the compression rings gap perfectly and cylinder honing, can damage the bores if not done properly, removing the cylinder head isn't actually that difficult from the hours of videos i've watch , just fear timing belt and tensioning

 

[chaazza]

Me to that's mainly what I'm worried about is gapping the pistons and timing and tensioners

 

[grahams81]

Just to give you a bit of advise mate, i bought a VW golf mk4 Haynes Manual which covered the 1.8T.. most parts are the same on the engine and it's wrote for the novice in mind.
Also all the torque amounts, clearances etc are displayed in the start of the relevant sections, well worth the £15, i also bought a ETKA manual off ebay but found it a bit vague.... still good tho.

And remember cleanliness is key - one spec of crap and it could ruin the engine, clean it till you think its really spotless, then for another 10mins !!!!!

For the piston ring end gaps, i used a dremmel mounted in a vise with a thin cutting / parting off disc in. ( i know strictly speaking you arn't suppose to grind on the side of a cutting disc but it's perfect for the job and you don't apply any pressure what so ever)
I made sure i kept the end of the ring square with the side face of the disc and really lightly (i mean really lightly) touched it down for a second (probably Milliseconds !!!) and then put it back in the bore and remeasured, i did it about 4-5 times per ring. Slow work but its better to take your time than to grind too much off and then have to buy new rings.

And don't worry if your not sure about something - just come on here and ask

 

[seatcupramad23]

I will indeed don't you worry mate , already started parts gathering

 

[chaazza]

How's it coming along mate iv got my engine out now

 

[seatcupramad23]

gathering all the parts first before attempt the take the head off , you can change the rods without taking the entire engine out

 

[chaazza]

It's much easier to do out on a stand though

 

[Mark300zx]

One thing that might make the process a hell of a lot easier is to buy a used engine, rebuild that to your spec, while still having the luxury of a car to run around in?

Before you take out the old lump video it being compression tested/running/head gasket test and you should a few quid on fleabay?

 

[Steely]

One thing that might make the process a hell of a lot easier is to buy a used engine, rebuild that to your spec, while still having the luxury of a car to run around in?

Before you take out the old lump video it being compression tested/running/head gasket test and you should a few quid on fleabay?

totally agree, plus if any problems arise you can extend the time schedule without scratching your arse to find the cash if needed and being without the car,

and with a engine jig mounted, you can check every little thing, plus it'll make timing it up one hell of lot easier,

 

[chaazza]

I do agree with you bit when you can get a run around car which is a good car taxed and mot for 120 quid your laughing that's what iv done so my cupra of road for the.winter

 

[seatcupramad23]

thats idea might buy a cheap agu engine and doi it that way