Top end rebuild advise??

[Tryzeedudeman]

i'll have my piston and gaskets by the end of this week and i want me and my uncle , the family mechanic to put the Z together but for some reason i'm scared that we wont get something right. Should i have a shop put it together to be safe or is it as simple as it looks. It seems all i have to do is use a little gasket sealer and a torque wrench and ill be fine. What do you guys do when it comes to top end rebuilds? Thank for any advice!!

[chris200x]

Is the cylinder bored to match the new piston and rings? Once that's covered it really isn't that difficult. Oh.. and dont waste your time with gasket sealer. get a complete top end gasket kit from cometic.

[steven 250sx]

i was like that at first to it is as simple as it looks lol just take your time and try to have fun while doing it. I like to show my girlfreind how its done just to teach some one and keep m ethat much motovated

[toocheaptosmoke]

Put the circlips in the right way, don't over compress them and keep the gap at the top or bottom. :beer

[Tri-Z Pilot]

It's prob even easier than your thinking. Like others said make sure your piston is bore matched, circlip gaps are not facing the grooves, and everything gets torqued apprpriately. When you break it in make sure you take it easy and check your head and cylinder bolts after a couple heat cycles. I say go for it an dont be afraid to take a break and ask questions. Measure twice cut once you know.

[bushwacker51]

Lets not forget to check piston end ring gap. If you are using a wiseco piston they include the gap measurment. Just put the ring in the cylinder bore then square it up with a piston and place a feeler guage between the end gap. If its to tight file a small amount from the end of the ring until its within specs. Just remember file a very small amount at a time. Good luck Glenn O.

[Tryzeedudeman]

this is good stuff to hear!! Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'll let you all know how it went on anew thread with some pics when iget it finished.

[300rman]

yes, definitely check the ring gap. and careful, those circlips can be a pain in the arse.
i used Permatex spray copper gasket coating for my head gasket and jug gasket. thats what PR Racing Engines advised me to do, so i did it. it cant hurt, right?

[Dirtcrasher]

Wash the hell outta that cylinder when it comes back from the bore job. Warm and soapy water in the sink. Dry it and install it right away or wipe it down with WD40 or it will rust quick!

Try to line the cylinder up fairly in the right place or a small twist can snap a ring on the ports.

Lightly oil the piston when you assemble it.

Make sure the letters or marks on the rings are up.

Make sure the arrow on the piston points towards the exhaust.

I like to use a fine stone and WD40 on every gasketed surface. It shows up high spots and you can see them flatten out. This stops leaks from getting a chance.

Reed blocks are where lots of leaks happen into the intake.

I also lightly grease the dowel pins all around so they don't rust and come out next time.

Be sure to check the main bearings and con rod for play while it's apart. 1 bottom end for every 2 top ends.