Removed engine - getting ready for teardown and rebuild

[BK911]

S2 federal - Removed last weekend.
Getting ready to put on engine stand hopefully this weekend.
I tried to search for some must do's when rebuilding, but could not find anything.
Any upgrades that would just be silly not to do?
Reground cam?
Bore cylinders?
Webers?
Exhaust?
Not looking for a screamer, just a nice daily driver.
But if some easy worthwhile mods are available I would like to do them.
Also, where in US is the best place for parts?
Looked through the vendor section but would like some recommendations.

[hey_kramer]

If you are fine not being totally stock with your parts, go with an electronic ignition, like Pertronix Ignitor II and pair it with their Flamethrower ignition coil. If you do, just remember to put some compound on the module's screws to keep them from vibrating out. Also, a modern gear-reduction starter motor corrects for a lot of the faults of the original starter (my original was rebuilt three times).

I get most of my parts from RD Enterprises. My dad used him over 20 year ago and he's still around. All his parts have been great and reasonably priced.

[cal44]

Visit Yahoo Groups Europa.  Maybe someone is willing to part with a Gordini head.  See if Steve Varis will chime in as well.  Those guys are deep in it and willing to give their advice


mike

[Grumblebuns]

Steve Veris reproduces and sells the Renault head removal tools but it appears that you have already removed the head. I hope you followed the manual on head removal other wise you could disturb the bottom cylinder gaskets and have a coolant leak into the sump. Did you try to fire up the engine prior to removal? If it had good compression and oil pressure, I would have left it as is. As far as I know, replacement Renault engine parts here in the US is almost non existent. The only one I could find is here:

http://renaultparts.us/?gclid=COqdxsL7tqgCFQEKbAodCyogDQ

Mecaparts seems to be the source for most Renault parts.
http://www.mecaparts.com/

Personally, I have not contacted either business for parts. Pistons have been custom made by Venolia for several S2 owners. If your engine is dead, may be cheaper to buy a good running wedgehead from someone.

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca 

[BK911]

Thanks guys.
For head removal, I just unbolted it and it pulled right off.
Engine was seized so I never tried to start it.
I plan on doing a full tear down, mic everything, then replace what is necessary and put all back together.
Gaskets, rings, etc... are not available?
I will contact RDE and see what he has.  Unfortunately his website doesnt list prices, and only has part diagrams to reference.  So no aftermarket stuff.
This should be interesting!

[Grumblebuns]

Steve Veris can supply Renault gasket sets, see:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/forsale.html

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca

[BK911]

Any tricks to seperate the engine and tranny? 
Workshop manual says to pull backto free the clutch shaft.
The box will wiggle but will noy slide back.
Throw out bearing attached to clutch fork?

[Grumblebuns]

The splines of the tranny input shaft is probably corroded to the matching splines of the crank. I was looking at my engine and tranny which was stored outside for 15 years and will have the same problem. Is it possible to insert a long nozzle through the top aperture of the bell housing and squirt some penetrant into the shaft area. Let it sit, wiggle the tranny, re-squirt, re-wiggle till the two break free?

[BK911]

Thanks for the reply!!  So I am not missing anything.  Just corroded like everything else.  Time for a bigger hammer!

[BK911]

Success!!  Put some more butt behind it once I knew I didnt miss anything.  Thanks mr. Buns!!!!

[BK911]

Ok, I have most of the engine town down, but one piston is still stuck in the sleeve.  WD40, PB Blaster, coke, ATF/Diesel, propane, BFH and even a shop press were no match.  The sleeve/piston is in the freezer now so tonight we will see if that helped.

So, I really doubt the sleeve and/or piston will be usable after all the abuse, and I heard new are impossible to find.
Can I bore out the sleeve and get custom pistons? 
is it worth it? 
Should I be looking into a Ford zetec or Toyota 4AGE conversion?

[Serge]

Venolia have the piston design on file.

Part # - 10650 - ('Mike Surber' if they ask for the name who first ordered it)

[BK911]

Thanks Serge!
Unfortunately they could not find the order under the part # or name.
However, they can custom make one if i send them an original, or send them detailed specs.
I will mic the rest to see if they are still within spec.  If so, I may look for an orphan.

[Serge]

Sorry to hear that,

you also might have them check their records for 'Ken Ritchie', pre 1999, but I'm 100% sure that he has custom ordered them from them.


Kind regards,

Serge