It's much easier to disassemble and work on the engine if it's mounted on a portable engine stand, which can often be rented cheaply from an equipment rental yard; however, before mounting, the flywheel/driveplate should be removed. If a stand isn't available, disassembly can still be done with the engine blocked up on the floor, but extra care must be taken to avoid tipping or dropping the engine. When obtaining a rebuilt engine, all external components must be removed first for transfer to the replacement engine, including the alternator and brackets, power steering pump and brackets, emissions control components, distributor, spark plug wires and plugs, thermostat and housing cover, water pump bypass pipe, fuel injection components, intake/exhaust manifolds, oil filter, engine mounts, and clutch and flywheel or driveplate. Attention to detail is crucial when removing these components, as noting the installed position of gaskets, seals, spacers, pins, brackets, washers, bolts, wiring, and other small items will be helpful during installation. If acquiring a short block, which includes the engine block, crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods, the cylinder head(s), oil pan, and oil pump will also need to be removed. For a complete overhaul, the engine must be disassembled in a specific order, starting with the intake and exhaust manifolds, valve cover, timing belt covers and bolts, timing belt and sprockets, rocker arm assembly and camshaft(s), cylinder head, water pump, oil pan, oil pump and pick-up tube, oil jets (for specific engine models), piston/connecting rod assemblies, rear main oil seal retainer, main bearing caps (or bearing cap bridge) and lower main bearings, and finally the crankshaft and upper main bearings. Before beginning assembly and overhaul procedures, ensure that common hand tools, small cardboard boxes or plastic bags for storing parts, a gasket scraper, ridge reamer, vibration damper puller, micrometers, telescoping gauges, dial indicator set, valve spring compressor, cylinder surfacing hone, piston ring groove cleaning tool, electric drill motor, tap and die set, wire brushes, oil gallery brushes, and cleaning solvent are available.
Posted by AcuraPartsWarehouse Specialist