98 sl rebuild

[redsaturn]

i am thinking of rebuilding my engine. would it be better to buy one or rebuild? i have rebuilt chevys in the past. plus, about what kind of cost would i be looking at? where can i get good info on rebuilding the engine? i have a chiltons but don't really like that book. i also need to replace the clutch, but the book has no detail. didi mention the engine has 235,000 miles on it? the clutch too. any help or pointing in the right direction is appreciated.
thanks
dave

[sierrap615]

chilions stinks, hanyes is slightly better, the God of all service manuals is the factory service manual(check the back of your owners manual or a local dealership for ordering info) i have no doubt you can rebuilt it, i know several people who have approched the project with no expearince - http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40035

if the motor is still running, i suggest rebuild so you don't need to worry about part compatablty. if the engine is dead, then you may want to find a donor engine because used parts are cheaper then new.

235,000miles doesn't really make me worry, there are 400,000+miles saturns out there with little or no engine work. while rebuilding, consider a NEW timing chain kit with guides from the dealership a requirement(about $200). also expect your thrust bearing to be very worn, as is normal for saturns with manual transmissions.

[saturnspeed_12]

depends on what needs replaced and what you want to replace. but 235,000 isnt much. thats like an average or below average life of the engine. i can understand if you want to freshen it up a bit.

but both chiltons and haynes are junk. some of the torque specs are fine, but just about everything else is worthless. its pretty sad when automatic trans removal involves removing the clutch hydraulics (just one of many mistakes in the haynes manual). FSM is the way to go for any manual.

but the clutch is pretty straight forward. big thing is how to do it. best way is to slide it over to the subframe and add another support, like jackstand, to hold it up. you will have tight access, but it is easily done. ive got pictures and a write up on how to remove the trans itself, which might help you teardown for a clutch job.

[dbeale]

Originally Posted by redsaturn

i am thinking of rebuilding my engine. would it be better to buy one or rebuild? i have rebuilt chevys in the past. plus, about what kind of cost would i be looking at? where can i get good info on rebuilding the engine? i have a chiltons but don't really like that book. i also need to replace the clutch, but the book has no detail. didi mention the engine has 235,000 miles on it? the clutch too. any help or pointing in the right direction is appreciated.
thanks
dave

I just overhauled mine and had the rods turned and new crank shaft and valves done, the rest I did for $950.

[PlayStation3]

and if it burned oil you might want to get some high temp valve stem seals that saturn motor sports has.