Need some motor advice/HELP!

#1

So, I’ve been getting my car ready for VIR next weekend and after installing a new water pump, timing belt, and tensioner, I find this in the oil drain pan:

I assume it’s being material and that it’s getting ready to kerplod. Now, my question is should I run it or keep it parked?

I am instructing so I am going to the track with the car or not. If I don’t run it I can trailer my brothers car who is doing instructor clinic instead.

Just need some advice because I don’t want to make things more expensive if all I have to do is replace the bearings.

Let me know what you think.

#2

The picture isn’t the best, but I think I see sparkles. That would be from bearings and would mandate parking the car until a bottom end (at least) rebuild. If you run it there is the risk of catastrophic failure.

#3

Yeah the pic got re-sized.

They are in fact copper sparkles. My fellow track mates of course suggested me running it until it blows, but would much rather repair this one than put a junk yard motor in it. I’m hooping it will be cheaper also.

#4

My response got eaten. If it’s copper sparkles then park the car. What you ought to do is find a reasonably healthy motor and just do a swap. If your head is cherry, move the head on to the donor motor.

A motor swap is no big deal. Get a couple buddies over that have done it before, buy lots of beer and pizza, and it will be done in 4hrs if folks move with a sense of purpose.

You can then either go halfway and get your head refreshed, or you can go all the way and get your sick motor rebuilt. If you forego new pistons and your cam and rockers are in good shape, you can get it done for well under $2k. Get the block cleaned and have the bore checked. Rehone the cylinders and get the block dynamically balanced. Then put in new bearings and rings, and put it all back together.

#5

well, i know there are quite a few junk yard motors around in the $500 range. I don’t have the funds to do all that you recommended. I just spent a good deal of money re-doing the rear subframe with the weld in kit, then I needed a new axle, strut was leaking etc.

I guess the cheaper option maybe to find another motor. I’m not sure about my head, guess I can have that checked.

#6

Junkyard motor would be the easiest and cheapest approach.

If the motor blows up you may not have a good core to rebuild in the future if you decide to spend the money.

#7

Thanks for the help!

Looks like I’m gonna swap it. Never pulled a motor before, but I knew this day would come. Time to learn.

#8

Hey Brett,
Look me up at VIR… I’m instructing too. You can ride with me in my stb spec e30 :slight_smile:
Will

#9

I’ll be at VIR this weekend too. I pulled and rebuilt the motor on my E30 after I bought it. First and only engine rebuild of my career. It wasn’t terribly difficult and was a good learning experience. A swap should, of course, be easier. I’ll be happy to give you my suggestions on how to make sure everything will go back together. Look for the orange '87.

#10

Axelerate wrote:

Please don’t. Here’s an example of what happens when the track gets oiled down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJXgdi1bA_g

I put a lot of faith in Levie’s assessment. Dude knows his sh!t. If you are that close to popping, pushing your luck could be fatal - and not just fatal to the block!

#11

Steve D wrote:

[quote]Axelerate wrote:

Please don’t. Here’s an example of what happens when the track gets oiled down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJXgdi1bA_g
[/quote]
A buddy lost his BMW M Coupe in that incident at 10a. You video shows it smacked up and straddling the track.

Man, that was a bad one. Could have been even worse tho.

#12

Ranger wrote:

No doubt. I got super lucky. I noticed the oil just after Black Flag and started to lift (not that it makes much difference in a Miata).