Hello, allthough i now very much of european builed engines i now very little of the nailhead 401 engine wich i have in my '66 Electra... So i'd like to have some answers please.I have a spare engine from a riviera and in the near future i would like to rebuiled it and swap with my original engine.The guy from who i bought the engine told me he completely rebuiled it inside but i am not so completely sure about it. I would like to pen it and inspect it inside... Do you have any suggestions about what's necessary and what's not? Thanks guys....
I'm not an engine builder, so I can not answer your question very well.. But I have 2 1966 electra's (1 convertible 1 hardtop). I would love to see pictures of your electra.
Well, that is what I usually do. Rebuild a spare engine and then just swap them out, then rebuild the original engine. Pard, there is a difference between a ''rebuild'' and a ''overhaul''. A lot of people call an over haul a rebuild. A over haul is where the engine gets rings, rod bearings, main bearings, timing chain and gears, and a new oil pump. A rebuild is where the engine is removed from the car, torn all the way down, hot tanked, checked for cracks, block bored, rods reconditioned, new cam brgs installed, new pistons installed, all new bearings,rings,timing chain and gears, new valve guides, new oil pump and pick up screen. Also in most cases a new cam and lifters are also installed. the valves are ground and the valve seats are ground. All that pretty much constitutes a ''rebuild''. Inquire from the previous owner exactly what he did to the engine. the only to really check the engine is to partialy tear it down. pull the oil pan and ck the rod bearings and main bearings and crank shaft, take a flashlight and look at the pistons. Are they bright and shiny? Look at the cross hatch pattern in the cyls. If they are there ok ,if not , then all is not what it seems. If the engine has a starter hooked to it , do a compression test. All of the cyls should have even pressures and be high. [over 100#] do the compression first if possible. Especially enquire about the cam bearings being replaced. They are the key to good oil pressure. If the engine was redone without replacing them it will not hold good oil pressure.
When the cyl. hone is moved up and down in the cyl. while honing, it creates a cross hatch pattern on the cyl wall. If the engine has a lot of miles on it this cross hatch pattern will be worn. That wear is a good indication of how many miles it has on it. it takes 20,000 or more to start wearing the cross hatch off.
