So I have a complete engine I want to strip down, get machined and modded and then eventually resemble it. What I want to know is are there any things I have to take note of during the strip down?
I was planning on marking bearing straps with a punch but that's about it, the rest will just be rip it down or should I be a bit careful with certain parts and areas?

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Take a photo of every single step and buy the DVD ultimate mini engine builder...I'm a complete rookie and I've built my engine back up no worries.

Its pretty straightforward pulling the engine down, the hard bit is building it back up.

As well as marking the big ends, I like to mark the clutch alignment with the flywheel (i.e. which corner is nearest to TDC) but I don't know that it matters much.

If you plan to re-assemble the cam followers and pushrods without machining them, you should keep them in order as well, so that they can all go back together the same way.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

Get a bundle of zip lock bags.

For everything that you pull off the engine including the fasteners (even if you plan to replace them) put it in a clearly labelled zip lock bag.

When you go to reassemble you will know exactly which bits go together and what fasteners go with them.

For the pushrods, I got a sheet of cardboard and punched holes in it to stick them in, labelled with numbers and with front of engine direction marked (i.e. towards water pump). For the cam followers, I stuck on some tape and numbered them before putting them in their bag. Same for the main cap bolts.

You get the idea.

Any parts to be replaced, I always inspect them and their mating parts and compare to the new ones.

If you are machining and reusing the crank, have it crack tested. Have it balanced with all of the clutch, harmonic balancer etc. attached.

Measure your bearing journals and bores before machining and after they come back.

Clean everything that will be reused as if you were going to eat off it, including the parts returning from the machine shop. I like to clean it before i put it in the bag. It takes longer but I know it will be clean and ready to go when I put it back together.

cheers
michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Advice from my Dad: Don't worry if there are bolts, nuts or washers left over. They are spares put in by the factory

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"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity: lick it once and you'll suck forever" Brian Wilson

Gee - it it was me then i would just take it off the gearbox, perhaps whip off a conrod bearing cap to get a general idea then just nip it back up.

Then take it as is to the engine recon engineering shop along with the head. They will chemically clean it and they will also do a sub assembly so that all the bits (new and recon'ed) are in the right place. Then you can do a strip, clean and reassembly to make sure its all right. This for people who dont have the experience to pick up a boxof bits and make an engine.

Just make sure you ask them to do a block skim to make sure its true and square. The same with the head plus what ever else the head may need in terms of wear.

Yes balancing is a very valuable extra.

All other things such as cam followers and pushrods are as stated - cardboard.