Rebuilding Engine Bottom End
This course module covers the complete bottom-end strip, cleaning, inspection, measurement, and assessment of your engine. Each stage is carefully supervised to ensure accuracy, reliability, and long-term performance. This course is ideal for classic-car enthusiasts and owners looking to fully understand the rebuild process.
Day 1 – Strip Down & Component Organisation
- Full bottom-end removal: Pistons, piston rings, connecting rods, bearings, crankshaft, and associated components are completely stripped from the engine block.
- Component labelling and marking: All parts are carefully labelled and marked to maintain correct orientation and ensure accurate reassembly.
- Initial inspection: Components are visually inspected for wear, cracks, scoring, or heat damage, and any obvious issues are noted.
- Photography and documentation: Key components are photographed and logged for reference, helping track condition and orientation for rebuild.
- Thorough cleaning of all components: Engine block, crankshaft, pistons, rods, bearings, and oil galleries are cleaned to remove carbon build-up, sludge, and residual oil.
- Detailed inspection: Each part is carefully examined for wear, cracks, scoring, heat damage, or distortion that could affect performance.
- Precision measurements: Cylinder bores, crankshaft journals, bearing clearances, piston-to-bore clearances, and piston ring end gaps are measured to determine tolerances.
- Assessment of machining or replacement: Measurements are used to identify components that require machining or replacement to restore proper function.
There will be a gap of 2-3 weeks to allow for machining and/or parts to be sourced
Day 2 – Inspection of Machined Parts & Final Bottom End Assembly
- Parts inspection: All machined and purchased components are checked
to confirm correct dimensions, surface finish and compatibility, including cylinder
bores, crankshaft journals, bearings, pistons and rings. - Bearing and ring verification: Bearing shells are inspected for
correct sizing and oil-hole alignment, while piston rings are checked for correct
type, orientation and end gap prior to installation. - Crankshaft installation: Main bearings and crankshaft are installed
using assembly lubricant. Main caps are refitted in their original positions and
torqued in sequence to specification, with crankshaft end-float checked and free
rotation confirmed. - Piston and rod assembly: Pistons and connecting rods are assembled
and installed in the correct orientation. Rod bearings are lubricated, caps torqued
to specification, and crank rotation checked after each installation. - Oil system and sump fitment: Oil galleries are verified clean before
fitting the oil pump, pickup and related components. Sump mating surfaces are
prepared and the sump fitted using the correct gasket or sealant, completing a fully
closed bottom end. - Final checks: Smooth crank rotation, correct torque settings and
secure sealing are confirmed, leaving the bottom end ready for final engine
assembly.
What’s Included
- Full strip-down of the engine bottom end
- Labelling, marking, and organisation of all components
- Thorough cleaning of engine block, crankshaft, pistons, rods, bearings, and oil galleries
- Detailed inspection for wear, cracks, scoring, and damage
- Precision measurement of critical dimensions and tolerances
- Assessment report identifying required machining or replacement
- Clear plan for bottom-end reassembly or next stage of the rebuild
Course Details
- Participants: 2–4 per session
- Duration: 2 days (Day 1 + Day 2)
- Location: VCCH Workshop, Kings Park
- Fee: $990 per per participant. Under 16 half price with adult also attending.
Ready learn about engine bottom ends with expert guidance?
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