[andy1517]

Guys,
I have a 1.3 with leaking valve stem seals, also lacking a bit of compression.
I am looking at getting it rebuilt, and tidied up.
Not sure how much it is going to cost, but at this stage I have decided against a 1.6 conversion, through the sheer stuffing around, with a whole new engine, and engineering stuff.
Therefore I am asking if anyone knows a good, trust worthy mechanic that would rebuild my 1.3, located around south east melbourne.
Also any information on what kind of rebuild i should contemplate,, porting, polishing, not to mechanically minded, therefore in need of an honest mechanic that can give me some good advice.
Thanks in advance,
Andrew

[mtooka]

Gday Andrew,
I am in a similar situation. I live in southern suburbs.
If you just need your head re-coed, there is a place at Braeside called Complete Engine Co, they do a re-co head for about $400.
http://www.thecec.com.au/contactus.htm

They also have re-co's engines and offer some decent advice. Never used them but.

They also do some performance, such as cam regrinds for about $80 from memory.
There is a suzi wrecker in Mordialloc (on lower dandy rd opposite airport) They may have something too.

Or, trusted guys I have heard are suziword in heidelberg
http://www.suziworld.com.au/contact.asp

Hope it helps
Matt

[andy1517]

thanks mate,
Will attempt ot get up to suziworld to ask them.
I dont want to buy another engine, want to rebuild mine.
So after some info on what I should be looking to do,in order to get it rebuilt and what I should expect to pay.
Thanks for in the info

[andy1517]

Just spoke to the guys in braeside, Very helpful over the phone.
Will probably take it there for complete rebuild.
The guy said around 1500 if I take the engine to him, that will include FULL rebuild, and new clutch, plugs, and the rest.
Is this reasonable?
The guy, Robert, was very helpful!

[Zookin_85]

Better off to get a reco engine from repco, i found it was the cheaper option it is around $1700 for a full reco long motor from HM GEN, takes 2 days to get it in. Then you just fit and give them your old engine, just ask them what you have to take off your old engine.

[foolsp33d]

if i was to rebuild a 1.3 id look at a cam regrind, oversizing the bores n pistons, possibly throwing on a Vit carb and doing the 110amp alt swap-you will need new pullys and belt. Elec fuel pump could also be a good investment..

I went a reco RPM engine.. over $1800 in the end..( i did pay a mechanic to do it as it gave a warranty and I didnt have the space or time to do myself)
I wouldnt go that option again..SOOO NOT WORTH IT! the long motor they had sent out had broken studs, and they STILL charged me to have a guy come out and re tap them.. rip off merchants!

[andy1517]

Yeah, my engine is fine, just leaking valve stems, and lacking compression.
Therefore I want to keep my original engine, and just rebuild it. The mechanic suggested possibly 20thou or 40 thou bore, and cam re grind maybe 10 or 20 thou. He said would normally have it all done in 4 days.
With the 110amp alt swap - I am running 240XGT's and a warn m8000 winch. Will this be an upgrade i should 'seriously' consider? Or will normal alternator handle this. Not going to be doing a shit load of winching.
With carby upgrade, i was going to get my carby tuned and conditioned. Worthwhile?
Thanks, sorry for all the Qn's but I figure you guys know the answers, or at least have had some experience.

[foolsp33d]

id def. do the alt. swap.. the stocker WILL shit itself shortly..most probably at night.. in a spot you WILL need to winch..

for the price of a carb rebuild, you should be able to find a 1.6 carb in workin order..

Im all for keeping the original engine and keeping the matching chassis number.. (I still got mine-needs a rebuild to)

suziworld in heidelburg are great.. a lil pricey but ya get that dealing with gen. suzuki stuff.. think i picked up the water pump pully for $20 bucks.. Hit up a wrecker for a swift or barina crank pully.. you want a multi V.. searching for 110 amp or altenator will give ya a decent idea of whats required.

Look into what service the reco place offers after fitment. you will need to have bolts re torqued etc after about 500-1000k.. If ya find a decent and knowledgeable zook mechanic melbourne way.. let me know! Mine is in desperate need of a service.

[mtooka]

Andy,
If they quoted approx $1500 then its a pretty good deal from my experience. I have heard of prices for drive in and out being over $2g's!
The Vit Carby if you can find one (im still looking) with a cam would be pretty good deal as well. The vit carby is apparently better (Joeblow is the man to ask He knows these beasts and gives great advice on the re-wiring and small adapter for the hat.)
You will want some extractors to go with that though, otherwise cams may not do anything. Think about the outcomes you want from the cam.
The stock carby is ok, and if fully reco'd will be good for a few years again. (But will cost approx $400) for someone to do it for ya and tune it up to the donk. Bigger Jets for the cam is a way to go as well. But is a smart idea. Make sure they fully flush out the radiator and cooling system, pressure test the rad, replace water pump, hoses etc.
Also, what are they gunna do to the big end? Full bearing kit? Machine the crank and fly wheel? Just check out exactly what you are paying for.
I would make sure that they give warranty and a full list of what they will do.
I understand that you want to use your own, at least you know what you are in for. Some of the swap over reco I have seen are in worse condition than my own, and that aint the best.
Their workshop looks alright but!
Good luck

[andy1517]

I will take the car down there and ask all these qustions. I already have extractors and exhaust on the car.
Will look to get carby tuned properly after engine is done.
As i understand it, they will do full bearing kit.
I will get a quote and get everything listed down. I will get their advice on water pumps and so on.
Just want it to be 'nice' nothing that is so highly tuned it always breaks down.
I will also ask about warranty.
Will let you know how I go Probably get it done in July, as need to sell some stuff to fund it all.

[mtooka]

And whilst they are rebuilding the head (main reason for rebuild)
See if you can raise the compression up a bit and also polish ports.
More compression = more power...

[andy1517]

will see what the guy suggests.
Will get a new clutch put in it and all new seals too. While I have the engine out, I am going to install some 4.9 transfer gears into transfer case.
Will have to get saving!

[neofitou]

mtooka, what is this wrecker you mention on Lower Danenong Rd? I cant find it on google.. I usually go to imlachs on centre rd, but they dont have much suzuki.

[andy1517]

one on lwr dandy, doesnt have much sierra gear.

[dezook]

Polishing ports is a thing of the past, It's actually worse for your power output. You want your port walls to be rough so the air bounces around and mix's with the fuel as best as possible. It has been found that when you polish the ports quite often fuel pooling is found in the inlets and thats just no good. Fully tuned race motors actually get there ports sandblasted to assist in agitating the air flow. Just thought you might want to know.

[royce]

Factor a new radiator, new hoses, new belts, ney dissy cap and leads and so on, new engine mounts
Cost of oil, coolant, hose clamps

All the little bits will add up pretty quickly

[60mad]

I'm in the process of getting my 1.3 fully rebuilt and the final price is around $3600 so $1500 sounds very cheap to me ?

My motor went bang one morning seized it, flogged out the crank, pumped oil through the top end filling the snorkel up halfway so it shit itself big time .

While it's getting rebuilt i'v had it balanced, ported, bored out 40 thou, new pistons, rings, crank, exedy 20% clamping force clutch, new valves, stem seals, water pump, flywheel machined, bearings, everything else that needs doing is being done so it's virtually a brand new motor.

I'm also getting extractors and fullmandrel bent exhaust to with it , so the final price is probly guna be around $4700 It all adds up so be prepared to pay more then you first think.

[andy1517]

WOW! I am going to get a full quote done first on what it will involve, and then I will post on here, so that i can find out if its fair, and what else I should potentially include in the build.

[60mad]

You won't get an exact price without having taken the motor fully apart to see what needs doing but you should be able to get a fairly close ball park figure

[PJ.zook]

DO NOT get engines from GM GEM, every one who has used one from them has had them die, including my old black six in VK many years ago. They churn them out on a production line, and unfortunately to get the engines rebuilt in as short a time as possible, shortcuts are made, and tolerances are way out.

[andy1517]

are these the engines that repco and similar stores use?

[neofitou]

I do most of the work on my cars, but when I rebulit the pajero motor I didnt want to do that myself.

So I hunted around quite a bit, I did not want to go anywhere that was the production line setup and wanted people who actually good at what they were doing I went here:

Nunawading Engine Clinic

They were really good. but not cheap, though the paj is a v6, I spent almost $7K, $5K of which was on the motor.

They even kept all the hoses and belts for me to have as spares without me even asking. When I picked it up the mechanics were beaming they were proud of the job they did. I liked that.

I spent more on the motor than the whole car is worth.
In hind sight I should have sold the paj and got a GV or SX4.

[andy1517]

yeah i want to stay away from the production line stuff, which is why i want my engine rebuilt and not a reco one.
Hence why i'm asking for advice on who other people have used. I would like someone who has done 1.3's before so that they can use their own experience and complete my build.
Will let you know who i go with.

[Fatzook]

60mad wrote:

I'm in the process of getting my 1.3 fully rebuilt and the final price is around $3600 so $1500 sounds very cheap to me ?

My motor went bang one morning seized it, flogged out the crank, pumped oil through the top end filling the snorkel up halfway so it shit itself big time .

While it's getting rebuilt i'v had it balanced, ported, bored out 40 thou, new pistons, rings, crank, exedy 20% clamping force clutch, new valves, stem seals, water pump, flywheel machined, bearings, everything else that needs doing is being done so it's virtually a brand new motor.

I'm also getting extractors and fullmandrel bent exhaust to with it , so the final price is probly guna be around $4700 It all adds up so be prepared to pay more then you first think.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you could have had a 1.6L EFI motor in there for less than $4k

[andy1517]

suzi world, said 1295 + tax for rebuild. That does not include a clutch.

I am considering the alternator upgrade, but am not convinced that I will need it.
I will get the builder to quote me with an without the upgrade to compare costs.
I will also get carby tuned.
Is there anyone around south east, that 'knows' sierra carby's?

[mtooka]

Andy,
Built 4 Thrashing (Regular on here) told me to use a guy at Springvale called Springvale Automotive on Princess Hwy.
Apparently he is good, but I have never used him either.

Let us know if you find someone.