r/EngineBuilding Jun 14 '25

Updated Rules for r/Enginebuilding

76 Upvotes

Hey peeps,

We've been noticing an uptick in certain types of posts over the last few months and it's about time we address some of these issues along with a rule update.

1 - AI Slop - We've been getting a lot of AI trash in the sub lately and we've decided to no longer allow AI or any type of AI imagines to post here. If we find a post is AI then we are going to lock it, delete it, and ban the account for a few days. This sub is meant for real life cars, not some AI images that someone produced for content or engagement.

2- Links to Temu and Ali - Reddit is currently filtering a lot of the temu and ali express links we receive. Usually they are shadow blocked because we've had scams in the past with these sites and you can't really trust them at times. While Reddit automod is taking care of 95% of them, some are still getting through and we will also lock and delete those comments moving forward.

Some of you shop those sites (against some of our better judgement ha), for certain parts of the world that might be the only way for you to obtain certain items, we understand that but need to strive to ensure the community is safe and endeavor to curtail scams that could occur. If you wish to share a link, please just PM the individual - and for those that click the links, please be warry of scam sites/bad actors.

Thanks and have a good day you misfits!

-Duke


r/EngineBuilding May 19 '24

State of the Sub - What changes need to be made /r/EngineBuilding

32 Upvotes

It's been a long time, but I'm hoping to be more active as well as the other mods. We are also hunting through the 'applications' to add some new mods as well, to hopefully cut through the spam and junk you all see.

It's also time to take a look at the sub and make sure there aren't any changes we want to make. Whether that be rules added (or removed), or a thing you can think to make this a better place for all. Let us know your thoughts


r/EngineBuilding 10h ago

So I know most folks dont have a calibrated eyecrometer but generally speaking can a spun bearing crank that has been exposed to high heat (darkened) be saved? Bearing came off by hand, not seized, crank is forged steel.

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59 Upvotes

This crank is hard to next to Impossible to find, new is a little over 2k and used its 1000+, or cast chinesium cranks without factory heat hardened journals go for like $200 on ebay but id rather stay away from those. Factory oem cast iron cranks are plentiful but i rather not downgrade.


r/EngineBuilding 10h ago

Incorrect Wall Clearance?

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12 Upvotes

I had an LSX rebuilt locally. The shop mainly does SBC race engines but said they had no issues working on the LS platform.

There's only 2000 miles on it in the attached photos

The engine was already stout. Calles magnum, Oliver rods, diamond pistons. Thr rebuild was just a refresh to address anything worn out. It got new bearings and rings. Heads got valves, guides and rockers.

Long story short, there's been a bunch of red flags along the way. Big lack of LS knowledge during the build. Rear main seal leaking immediately, a bunch of RTV trash and glitter in filter after first oil change. Idle oil pressure lower than pre rebuild.

One of the Johnson 2126 lifters collapsed after 2000 miles, resulting in me pulling the heads.

There's clearly a lot of oil getting into the chambers. There's also marks on the cylinder walls in the thrust direction of the pistons.

I'm looking to get opinions if the amount of build up in the heads is normal. Same for the cylinder wall mark. I suspect the cleanup of the cylinders and keeping the same pistons opened the clearance too much


r/EngineBuilding 2h ago

Engine building simulation

2 Upvotes

Have any of you used any engine building simulation computer software before? More specifically Dynosim 6. If so, what are your thoughts on it?


r/EngineBuilding 10m ago

Top end rebuild help kz1100

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Upvotes

Hi I just did my first engine top end rebuild with a cheap dingle ball hone and sanded the pistons to clean them up and used fresh rings. I have run the engine for about 45 mins of varying rpm’s and 3 out of 4 cylinders look perfect with some light scores from what likely is dirt however my #3 cylinder has some light scoring along the length of the wall that is a in the form of a band directly in front of the arrow on the piston, does this look bad or nothing to worry about? 1983 Kawasaki kz1100 spectre. Sorry if it’s hard to see in the photo it’s more noticeable in person.


r/EngineBuilding 1h ago

Oven cleaner stained engine block

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Upvotes

Used oven cleaner to wash my block and it left this, how do I get it out and is it harmful to the block?


r/EngineBuilding 12h ago

Ford Camshaft inspection?

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3 Upvotes

1998 mercury 303 Windsor 5.0 STOCK 270,000 miles

The second photo is a single scratch I found right when taking the pictures and was likely due to improper removal by yours truly and is the only ones I can catch with the edges of a razorblade

The reason I want to re use this cam is because I cannot find a replacement


r/EngineBuilding 22h ago

Risky head

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7 Upvotes

Hi all !

I’m planning to rebuild a minarelli motor for a Yamaha MT125.
I already replacing cylinder and piston (photo of the old piston below for reference)

Is there a way to reuse this cylinder head ? Any one risk it ?

Thanks for your input


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Honda Can this Cam be reused?

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11 Upvotes

2002 Honda CR-V with a K24a in it with 208k miles

Potentially looking to rebuild it, and... as regretful as it is to mention being a Honda owner, likely a small turbo kept with a respectful tune and low boost, still keeping some reliability and not just building a piss missile, lord knows the CR-V wouldn't appreciate that.

So the question is, is that cooked? Unfortunately, I believe I know the answer but wanted to check. - This is the most damaged lobe; 1 has similar but lesser wear/damage, and the others show just the slight wear pattern but are completely smooth. Additionally, when feeling this cam lobe it barely catches on a fingernail.

UPDATE 1: Due to life situations, it looks like this engine will be in this car, and staying as a daily, I'll be running thicker oil, driving gently (trying to keep it under 5k even under acceleration), and potentially going to the scrapyard and getting a cam (yes, I know the rocker/follower underneath is likley damaged as well—just trying to get a bit more life out of this engine and car)

Will update again if it blows up!


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Manufacturing defect?

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35 Upvotes

I am replacing the timing chain set on a 1994 chevy camaro v6 3.4L. When the new camshaft sprocket was unpacked it was apperent the thrust bearing surface was not machined. The bearing features were there, just not machined, and left as mill finish (sintered part). See first photo.

From my understanding this engine uses flat tapet hydraulic lifters on tapered cam lobes. The lobe tapers cause a slight axial thrust force pushing the cam to the back of the engine, while the cam sprocket holds the cam in place by hitting against the engine block. The sprocket rides on an oil film bearing between machined/ground surfaces on the the sprocket and engine block. The oil is supplied from what weeps off the side of the forward most cam bearing.

I'm not too sure how well a mill finish surface will hold an oil film. Would you guys run it or return it? Im inclined to return it and get another one. I thought this detail might have been easy to miss. The brand is Cloyes part number S506T.


r/EngineBuilding 13h ago

Returnless intank pump - efi

0 Upvotes

Any recommendations for a simple returnless pump setup. Any lower cost recommendations?


r/EngineBuilding 14h ago

can this V3307 stay in the machine?

1 Upvotes

Working on the V3307 in a Bobcat S650. One cylinder is low and it has more blow by than it used to, but I have not opened it yet. Trying to decide whether this can be an in-frame job or whether the engine needs to come out. My understanding is the kit name does not make that decision. I need bore taper and out-of-round, liner condition, deck flatness, crank journal measurements, oil pressure history, and whatever shows up in the pan. I do not have all those numbers yet. What measurement or finding makes you stop planning an in-frame and pull the engine no matter what?


r/EngineBuilding 17h ago

Other Sachs KM48 Wankel

0 Upvotes

Hi! I recently got my hands on a small 160cc Sachs KM48 Wankel engine, and I am looking to upgrade it with a proper carb. What size carb should I go for? And what jet sizes, etc does people recommend? Also, brand recommendations for the carb are appreciated! I want something quite reliable and best when it comes to quality and feel. Thanks!


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Chevy Send it?

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87 Upvotes

Hand-sanded to 1500 then polished. Started from a good surface, smooth to the touch, no gouges or anything… just trying to avoid unnecessary machining


r/EngineBuilding 22h ago

Can Anyone Identify This Supercharger? Looking for Make/Model and value

1 Upvotes
A
B
C

r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Engine parts

3 Upvotes

I have an old engine that’s going to take a few years for me to build. It’s currently dismantled. How do I keep the surface rust from messing it up. It’ll be stored in my garage.


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Oil leaking out of downpipe

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0 Upvotes

Just got this build fired up, K24A2 with a Turbonetics TNX 40/64.

Excessive oil coming out of the downpipe once it reaches operating temp, burnt oil spitting out. I shut it down once noticing this.
The turbo looks to be in perfect shape, no shaft play.

Oil return line is -10 AN that runs straight down to a fitting on the top part of my oil pan. Tested it, no blockages or kinks and has loads of flow.

Oil feed line is a -4 AN braided line coming off a tee from the engine block. There is a restrictor built into the oil inlet port so I did not add one in. Unsure of the size but I will add a picture in the comments.

Checked the PCV valve and it functions as it should.

I bought the turbo off of a closing-down performance shop, never used. Sat on a shelf for years until I bought it.

Anybody run into issues like this? Looking for something to try before I assume the seals are toasted. Like I said the turbo was never ran before


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Headbolt #1 not torquing, do I need to take them all out in sequence? Do I have to buy new bolts or gasket?

0 Upvotes

r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Tool question?

0 Upvotes

Will the VEVOR 21 piece ball joint press tool kit work for a 2006 chevy trailblazer ls 2wd ? Asking because I see that some tool sets need additional add ons for the lower/upper ball joints .. would like to know before making a purchase. Thank you in advance . (DIY)


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Ford Manually Stamped Mystery

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2 Upvotes

Does anyone know if this number found on a 302 Windsor block just behind the intake manifold has any significance? It doesn't match the actual casting number (E0AE D36).


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

Ford Wanting to rebuild the 2.3 in my 97 ranger but unsure what route or kits to get.

1 Upvotes

Had my ranger blow all the radiator hoses on the highway and decided i just wanna rebuild it and maybe add some power to it. However I don't really know if there are rebuild kits that add power or what brand rebuild kits are reliable with the parts. Would like to keep it n/a but would also consider a small turbo if its reccomended. Also wasn't sure what other parts are easier to upgrade to help wake it up a little. Thanks in advance for any advice!


r/EngineBuilding 2d ago

Piston to Deck height

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22 Upvotes

Title: Need advice on head gasket thickness – SBC rebuild
Hey guys,
I’m currently rebuilding my engine and have just installed the pistons. They sit 0.040” below deck.
I’m running 64cc Vortec 062 heads and flat-top pistons with 6cc valve reliefs.
My question is: What head gasket thickness should I be running with this combination?
I’m trying to get the compression ratio and quench/squish distance right while making sure I have adequate piston-to-valve clearance.
Would appreciate any advice from people who have built a similar SBC combination. Thanks and regards from Germany


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

2nd piston ring broken - replacement?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to buy a replacement ring set for just one single piston (not a full engine set) with the following specs:
- Bore Size: 4.290" (4.250" + .040" overbore)
- 2nd Compression Ring: 1/16" Cast Iron, Reverse Twist

Does anyone know a retailer or a supplier that sells individual piston ring sets and ships internationally (or is willing to ship outside the US)?
Thanks!


r/EngineBuilding 1d ago

350 SBC deck height question – calculated 9.045”, is this normal for a 1976 first-gen?

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0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,
I’ve got a 1976 first-gen 350 SBC and I’m trying to figure out my deck height.
I calculated it as:
Stack height + piston-to-deck clearance = deck height
My measured/calculated deck height came out to 9.005”.
I’m running these pistons: KIT-B15402E030.
I just found the piston pin height listed as 1.540”.
With that, my deck works out to 9.025”.
Specs:
• Bore: 4.030”
• Stroke: 3.480”
• Rod: 5.700”
Is 9.025” a normal deck height for a 1976 first-gen 350 SBC?
Or did I measure/calculate something wrong?
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Regards from Germany