Project A4

[ScottyB]

Why were they transferring stuff from one block to the other? Why not just use the whole short block 'as-is' and avoid all that work, or rebuild the old shortblock instead of buying another engine? Did they ever find out what was wrong with the old engine?

the conclusion with the old engine was spun bearings/extreme bearing wear on the low end due to problems with oil circulation. the crank and rod bearings were considered to be damaged and that it would cost as much for a new crank as it would for a new shortblock, which is true.

i was getting low on time (back then, not to mention now) so i opted for a new block instead of replacing all kinds of bearings and a new crank as the waiting time would (should) be less and there would be less guesswork. as you can see my plan has backfired or failed on nearly every level. if i knew then what i know now....

as of today the old engine was completely dissasembled and it was found that the crank was in much better shape than we thought (although the rod bearings are pretty haggard along with the oil pump). it may end up that i send the new engine back (and get a refund) and just rebuild the old one.

now i'm faced with the awful fact that i may end up rebuilding my engine -- what i wanted to do in the first place -- but i don't have the funds anymore to put in the heavy duty rods that would allow me to run the big turbo i'd like to in the future.