Mad about MX5's
April 8, 2024
After giving the engine a last wipe down I installed the original camshaft, then the new Mahle/Clevite MS2199P crankshaft bearings and the crankshaft. torqued everything down and it spins freely.
Also it was eclipse day.
April 1, 2024
Enginetech Pistons P5036 I ordered from rock auto arrived. They look good to me, but what do I know. Tomorrow I’ll take these and the old pistons and rods to get switched over.
Mar 20, 2024
Picked up the engine, crankshaft and pistons from the engine shop.
Engine: I got the camshaft bearings changed and the block inspected. Shop says block is good cylinders could use a deglaze/slight honing, and actually asked why I took it apart.🫤anyway it’s got new cam bearings. Cleaned up everything looks good.
Crankshaft: shop says crankshaft is good, could use a deglaze. I declined.
Pistons: piston shirts are worn 0.004” and they recommend replacement. After looking at the pistons, I agree.
Mar 1, 2024
Called the engine shop to ask if they can inspect the cam bearings and replace if necessary. They said that the engine needs to be to completely torn down including the rotating assembly. Bummer, because I really didn’t want to.
Anyway stripped it all down and took it to the engine shop for them to inspect the block, including the cam bearings, inspect the crankshaft, and inspect the pistons, and let me know what they find now they said it would take about three weeks.
Feb 26, 2024
Stripped down the engine, removed crank and removed pistons. Bearings look good to me. didn’t want to do it but engine shop wanted a stripped block to look at.
Feb 23, 3024
Continued to tear the engine down, today it’s time for removal of the camshaft, so I removed the timing set and the camshaft thrust split and then pulled out the camshaft. Camshaft looked OK, but the bearings looked a bit more. I could see a bit of copper coming through, so I was concerned. Not knowing what to do I called the engine shop and asked him about it, however, in order for them to take a look and possibly change the camshaft bearings. They need a totally stripped down engine.
The title says it all. Today I drained the oil, removed the water pump, removed the valve covers, and removed the spark plugs. The valve train was a little gunky, but I’m sure that’s expected for a 351,000 km engine.
Spent some time today beginning the engine disassembly. Tackled the fuel rail, air intake, coil packs, exhaust header, oil dip stick. Then moved on to the alternator bracket and power steering pump, then the A/C compressor, engine mounts.
Was able to bring the engine and trans into the shop to start the separation and rebuild process. Things went smoothly was able to remove the wiring harness, detach the transmission , and mount the engine into the engine stand.
Took the 4l60e home to remove the bell housing, but despite using the T-50 plus torx bit, one bolt stripped which is currently being a pain to remove. Ie I broke two drill bits off in the hole when I tried to drill out the bolt. Tomorrow I’ll chop up the trans to get the bell housing off.🤷♂️
November 2021 I Picked up a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck with 351xxx kms and the B vin code for the aluminum L33 engine.
Truck cost me $900 and in time I was able to part out everything with the help of a friend and made all my money back…can’t remember might have made more. Also was able to have the engine and transmission for free…even though the 4l60e was slipping in 3rd gear. Essentially I don’t care because all I want from the transmission is the bell housing so I connect it to a AR 5 transmission from a Chevy Colorado.
May 2022 After parting out the truck the engine and trans were stored outside at a friends shop.
Mad MX5