My first motor build/refresh
 

Hey guys, with 230,000 on my 1990 short nose crank 1.6, I've decided to get a new engine, change seals, bearings, etc.

I'm in the process of buying a 1993 1.6 that has had head work (i.e. headgasket, head resurfacing, seals) as well as a new timing belt and clutch kit but no work on the bottom end. My plan is to open up the bottom end and replace the bearings and piston rings, paint the block, and close it all up with new seals.

My goal for this thread is to tap into the knowledge of the board, which has been done many times with fantastic results, and successfully complete the motor refresh.

List of new parts:

Piston Rings
Main Bearings
Rod Bearings
Thrust Bearings
(Missing any other bearings to get/should I bother with bearings even??)
Rear Main Seal
Crank Seal
Oil Pickup Seal
Oil Pan Gaskets (Front/Back)

Is there anything important I missed while keeping the budget relatively low?

Thank you for all that offer advice!

Mods: If this is not in the correct sub-forum, please move it to the correct one so I can get the most poignant advice.

You missed the Buy a 1.8 step.

I'm very fond of my 1.6. Is it maybe because I've never driven a 1.8? I'll never tell...

The 1.8L motor is better in every conceivable way. You get more displacement, better cylinder head options, more aftermarket support, and every single modification you add to it (ECU, header/turbo manifold, turbocharger, exhaust, intake, intake manifold, etc, etc, etc) will perform better on the 1.8L than the same modification would on the 1.6L. It is also the cheapest way to add horsepower to the car, regardless of what else you decide to do to it. There is no logical reason to build/rebuild a 1.6L motor unless a racing class or government regulations require you to.

Easy button 1 : Buy a 1.8, enjoy new-found testicular fortitude. :party:

Easy button 2 : (but in wrong direction) : FM SEAL KIT + New Rings.... and still have a 1.6 :facepalm:

if you run a 1.6 basically just set your car on fire

:giggle:

If you're taking the 1.6L out of the engine bay and intending to do it again in reverse, you've already committed to the hardest part of a 1.8L swap.

While you're at it, upgrade the rear diff as well.

My problem really isn't the work, it's the price. I can't justify spending at least $150 on an FM adapter kit (plus sourcing an equally machined engine for the price) for what, 20 or so hp and 200ccs when I can go through with the 1.6 I'm buying.

:facepalm:

they just never learn. never

I could definitely understand feeling that way if I had everything ready to do a swap/adaption, but I haven't been convinced, from everything I've read.

__________________________________________________ __________

Now back to the point of the thread: For any one who has rebuilt their motor, am I forgetting anything important? Are there some tips I should know for it?

Except everybody telling you to do it?

I sure as hell wish I had listened. Now I cry myself to sleep every night because I have a 1.6 and sixshooter is going to dump me as a friend because of it.

You're current engine sounds like its running fine. Don't buy another 1.6.

I speak from experience. Read my build thread. I bought a 1.6. Now I wish I hadn't.

Now not gonna lie, my 1.6 is bitchin. But it would be cooler as a 1.9 :)

I'll start reading your build-thread.

Let's say hypothetically I tell the guy I'm buying the 1.6 from that I'm not interested anymore, look for a 1.8 for around $400-500, do I find a harness as well and swap everything over? Use the FM kit for $150 to adapt everything? Again, my problem isn't really about work, although this is my daily, it's more about money, and at this point at 19 being in school, it's very hard to justify it.

That said, when people say they have done the swap and are very happy with it, or like you, say that they swapped a 1.6 and wished they'd swapped a 1.8, I do take that into consideration seriously.

1.8 will let you acquire more pussy.

Save up a little more and find a 1.8.

if logistics & import duty didn't basically double the cost of everything I would have gone 1.8VVT.

if $150 is a deal breaker, let me be the first person to break you the news: you should not be modifying cars. any cars.

Just save up and do a 1.8 Swap. I've worked on a budget, you can too. It may delay your build but eventually you'll have a better engine to build off of. This is assuming you have future plans to modify the car/make more power. If you don't care about power or modifying the engine, carry on with a 1.6.

Bro. $150 is a track day.

You do not need a swap kit from any vendor. Read my VVT Megathread stickied at the top of this section to get an idea of what you need to do. You use most of your original wiring and sensors.

If you aren't concerned with the performance of the car, then just find a running 1.6. Rebuilding an engine is ALWAYS more expensive than purchasing a running engine and installing it. If you are concerned with performance, then the 1.8L swap is some of the cheapest power you'll ever buy.

it blows my mind that we have to almost force some of these people to consider 1.8 vs 1.6

it's like you're a barista and he walks in to buy a cup of something
you tell him he could have a big cup of delicious coffee for $5 or a warm cup of piss for $3, and he chooses the piss every time

This. If you're even poorer than me, you need to go ahead and not even bother rebuilding your 1.6. Wait until you graduate college and have a real job. You're probably 5 years away from having enough cash flow to mod cars and not make a horrible disaster of it.