Engine rebuild time? Options

[burlybryan]

I've been doing an economical "freshening up" of a used 2.0 engine with good compression (but unknown history) with hopes of not splitting the case for a full rebuild. I have it torn down to a short block and pulled the lifters/tappets. 4 look flat and nice, 3 are noticeably dished/concave and one is concave with some galling or pitting around the perimeter. Pics attached of one of the concave lifters and the one with the perimeter damage. Common knowledge would say that the lifters and cam are not salvageable, but I wanted to hear it from the 914World audience. Would you guys re-use these and roll the dice or pull the trigger on machine work and new components?

If the latter, anyone have recommendations for a shop in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I'd rather not use Further Performance or Auto Edge. There's a small shop named Midwest Vee that reportedly does rebuilds on air cooled.

Thanks.

Bryan

[930cabman]

Dished lifters are not optimal, but can you return them into their original locations? If so, I would consider running it or open it up and go all the way

[mepstein]

Dished lifters are not optimal, but can you return them into their original locations? If so, I would consider running it or open it up and go all the way

I agree. If you are going in to fix things, it’s not usually worth doing half the engine. My thought is to run it until it’s not running right but when you do decide to work on it, start from scratch and build it right. You don’t want to install a new cam and lifters just to have a bearing give out 1k down the road.

[emerygt350]

If you were doing it all yourself (besides the machining) it won't be that bad. Take it inside and do it slow over the winter? The case is super light and you could treat it like a puzzle to keep you occupied for the coming dark dreary winter months.

If you don't feel you have the time or can justify the money right now, go ahead and put them back in where they were. It just means that eventually you will have to do it but if you are not racing or driving across Asia, meh, it was running before and it will just follow that same trajectory it was on. Maybe get some better oil in that thing. Mobil1 euro is what I use, but vr1, am soil, etc might buy you more time.

When you do rebuild you will want all new components anyway. It isn't the parts that are expensive.

[burlybryan]

I have them mapped, so they could go back. I have the funds (although it would dig into my "new garage" fund), but not a ton of time or a great working environment for a weekender rebuild.

Good thoughts though. I only drive at most 1000 miles a year, so I could probably limp it along. Not wild about a full tear down and do over again in the future though.

Decisions decisions...

[emerygt350]

I have them mapped, so they could go back. I have the funds (although it would dig into my "new garage" fund), but not a ton of time or a great working environment for a weekender rebuild.

Good thoughts though. I only drive at most 1000 miles a year, so I could probably limp it along. Not wild about a full tear down and do over again in the future though.

Decisions decisions...

I really wasn't hip on having to do mine a couple summers ago, but I have to say, if the car is parked... The top end is super easy, jugs, pistons, heads, valves etc. I never cracked my case but my lifters looked good and I have excellent oil pressure. However, I am not nearly as scared of doing that now. I would love to get a web cam in there to cool stuff down due to my high compression and 2056 build. I would move to a 2.3 if and when I crack the case. Upstate ny has the same winter problem as st. Paul. Easily enough time to take it super slow and enjoy it. I have rebuilt water cooled engines and I have to say, these type 4s are so clever, I find it a completely different and far more pleasant experience working on them.