Rebuilding a 172 engine from scratch.

[jon_r]

Howdy.

I've purchased a MK1 172 thats got a dodgy bottom end. The head was rebuilt last year, so that's all fine. I've sourced a 172 Cup bottom end which was apparently running fine when removed from an accident damaged car last year.

The plan is to strip down both bottom ends (the Cup one first as this is what i'm planning to use) and rebuild. At the same time i'm swapping to a Cup alternator setup.

I'm doing this with my Dad who has rebuilt Pinto's and XE engines in the past, so whilst no means an expert on this engine, he has some relevant experience.

I've got the F4R_730 for headbolt setting etc.

Couple of questions:

Is there anything we need to be aware of when doing this in general - anything out of the ordinary? I'm assuming it's a given that it's worth replacing the usual items when rebuilding? Seals etc?

Torque settings for other bolts, is there a reference guide somewhere?

When putting it all back together again obviously the timing will have been lost. I'm toying with the idea of getting one of the specialists on here to set this up for us as I'm not sure it's financially viable to buy all the cam locking tools? Thoughts?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as we go along, so thanks for all your help in advance.

Fred/others, feel free to pm me with how much you'd charge to do this last question - I can deliver the engine to you.

Cheers

 

[JoedotwasT5phy]

Can't really help with the rebuilding idea's but i would defo get a specialist to look at the timing, iirc the parts are around £300 and the rest is labour (alot of which is stripping the car etc) , so by the time you've bought looking tools etc and put the time into the actual timing, you may as well get someone else to do it

 

[Christopher]

Speak to Jord mate. He does it for fun.

 

[sideways danny]

timing's easy to sort out of the car, wont take an hour even really. Prob worth fitting a new dephaser, especially as the engine has seen bottom end failure, suggesting an oil pressure issue. Head will need checking for possible damage from this also, I've seen a few heads written off by lack of oil pressure.

 

[jon_r]

Thanks guy's, yes I've read up as much as I can on here and have got a massive bookmarked folder of all the relevant information I think we need. I was just after some notes on anything I might have missed and as many opinions as possible on something which isn't obvious that I might have missed.

Joe, i'm of the same opinion on the locking tools front, especially as it seems the Reno ones are a better quality, and they cost! It would seem to me it's more worthwhile getting someone with the correct tools already to set the timing properly for me.

 

[JoedotwasT5phy]

Thanks guy's, yes I've read up as much as I can on here and have got a massive bookmarked folder of all the relevant information I think we need. I was just after some notes on anything I might have missed and as many opinions as possible on something which isn't obvious that I might have missed.

Joe, i'm of the same opinion on the locking tools front, especially as it seems the Reno ones are a better quality, and they cost! It would seem to me it's more worthwhile getting someone with the correct tools already to set the timing properly for me.

Yeah, i mean its do'able, but trust me its a complete ball ache. i spent 6 wekends stripping it all down and having a look at various parts, and doing as much as i could etc - but i just resigned myself to the fact that i would need someone else to do the timing.

 

[bmh.01]

Tools from renault are circa £130 and well worth having imo. The timing its easy peasy, especially with the engine out of the car!

 

[Laine_16v]

Just priced up and booked up a bottom end rebuild for my engine, £60 for Glaze bust / minor hone, £150 for the piston rings and £45 to have them gapped correclty. Using the crank beaings and oil pump from my know good engine. £250 is pretty fair for a refresh BE imo.

As for timing tools keep your eyes peeled i got a full set 2nd hand for £60 that i have used several times.

 

[jon_r]

Thanks guy's. I thought the tools were nearer £300, so i'm quite tempted at that price, but i might keep an eye out on ebay for some as £60 you paid seems a bargain.

Dan, appreciate your help with everything as well. We'll keep in touch as I might just go down that route.

 

[Andyman]

See if your local dealer will loan you the tools.

 

[marinemackay2003]

have you read bens guide on rebuilding?

ben of the angelworks technology fame btw

quite a good guide with pics ect

http://www.angel-works.co.uk/articles/f4rbuild.php

may come in handy somewhere along the line

cheers

chris