dinochips

So my last s2k engine spun a bearing.

I have a new engine but need to do a little work to the head so i will be pulling it apart and upgrading to the ap2 valve retainers and cleaning the valve.

do you think i should replace the bottom end bearings? as its out the car and its a good time to do it. I am just terrified it will happen again.

richmc

You haven't said what year the replacement engine is or what mileage it's done.

dinochips

sorry my bad. the replacement engine has covers 78k miles and is a 2004

richmc

In that case don't touch the bottom end 78k isn't mega for these engines, tolerances are tight you could mess up a good engine replacing the bearings. Not sure if the new retainers were from 2004 or later, someone will be along to tell you.

dinochips

See i would agree with you there but the one thing is my engine that went just hit 73K before it spun a bearing. I am the third owner of the car so the only thing i can think of is it must of run without any oil in by a past owner.

confirmation of the valves would be good though. As I know in the UK we didn't get the F22 in our cars so I am not sure if they changed/upgraded the valves for the modern 2004+ F20c2 engine found in all Uk s2000's

tkm_dave

Unless you remove connecting rod caps and the lower crank girdle to confirm the condition of the bearings you don't know if the bearings are worth replacing while the engine is out. If you are confident enough to disassemble and reassemble the bottom end it could be worth checking them for peace of mind.

noodels

All valves & components are good to go on an 04 on.
A better block than pre 04 as they used a block plate when bores were done.
As said above very tight clearance on the mains and a very specialist job.
Have a good look in the sump for particle <bits of metal>if you wanna remove the sump and check thrust bearing.
could send some oil for testing.

Oh hi from C5 forum

dinochips

Noodle great to see you. So i dont need to change my retainers then?

I bought then new engine already out the car. I stuck a camera down in each of the cylinders to make sure they were all good. But when i compression tested it i found 2 exguast valves leaked. I hasnt spun over in 3 years so i recon ot could just be corrosion stopping them from making a complete seal. Either way going to pull the head off and put a new headgasket set and lap the valves. Luckerly i have my head off my buggered engine which is mint so i might just swap them over but thats is a 2003 head so will need new retainers.

richmc

Looking better with every post, as Noodles said have the oil checked for metal to confirm the shells are OK. As you are going to lap the valves to fix the compression you will be able to compare old and new retainers, there's a picture on here somewhere of old and new side by side.
I read somewhere their are differences with some sensors etc. again someone will be along to confirm that. As for needing new retainers, the ones from the donor engine should be fine if you decide to use your original head.

Nottm_S2

An oil test would be a solid idea