[denisond3]

I 'rebuilt' the engine from a 92 SL2 in the summer of 2007 - because it was an oil guzzler, and thee was a little too much timing chain noise. I only had to break the glaze at the top of the cylinders - didnt even have to ream a ridge to slide the pistons out the top. Its oil control rings were really stuck in the grooves. Cleaning the piston ring grooves was the only time-consuming job. I replaced the piston rings, put the original pistons back in, new crankshaft bearings (It didnt really need them, but it had 130,000 miles - so what the heck), and new seals. I put new seals on the valve stems, replaced the 'tensioner piston' for the timing chain. That was the entire reibuild.
The real reason for taking it out was because my nephew's teenage son had spun the tires enough to make the differential pin come out and goudge a hole into the bell housing. A $200 junkyard tranny went in:All I did was to clean its outside and replace the (badly rusted) bolts for the valve body cover. I think my total financial outlay was under $1000, and the work took me almost weeks. It was a pleasant rebuild. (this is a hobby, Im retired and have lots of time). My daughter has been driving it for the last 18 months - it uses about a quart of oil in 3000 miles - but thats when it gets changed anyway.