Rebuilding top end, Recommended parts? Options

[Allan]

Okay, here goes. I am going to pull the motor out of the car Saturday ('76 2.0 w/Ca. emissions) and pull the heads and cylinders to send out for any necessary work they need. I plan on addressing rust issues in the engine compartment while everything is out and replace both the clutch and throttle cables along with the clutch and shifter bushings. My question is: 1) Shoulf the cylinders go to the shop along with the heads to have the mating surfaces checked for proper sealing (I understand that when I put it back together I shouldn't use a head gasket)? and 2) If doing just the top end what else should I replace while I'm at it? I hope this is not to broad of a question. I want to start ordering parts as soon as I can. Thanks for any assistance. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[Joe Ricard]

The answer to this is as difficult as the meaning life it's self.

But if you pull the Pistons and cylinders off and find that the wrist pins are out of spec in the connecting rod bushing well... You won't be able to live with yourself just putting it all back together. It will knock. then fly apart.

Heads should be lapped to the matting cylinder. If you omit the head gasket you effectively reduce your deck hieght and raise your compression. Damn now you got to measure this and get base cylinder shims if the deck is too short.

What are you going to do to the heads???? You should be able to clean them up enough to see cracks before taking into machinist. you can also do a fluid test to see if the valves seal or not. Getting deeper than that involves pulling the valves then you can asess the valve guide wear. I can already hear the money falling out of your pockets.

Sure good idea to go splunking for rust (which you should have no problem finding. So now that your 914 is going to be setting up on the jackstands for awhile it is official. youre a 914 owner. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wavey.gif)