I realize hot rodding or even just messing with these engine shaped recycled ashtrays is akin to polishing a turd but they're nearly as fun to mess with as doing the horizontal dance in the dark.
Forgive me Father for I have sinned...I tore into this engine before base lining it's performance. Yes, I can fix it even if it's not broken but in this case it was only a matter of time until it broke so I decided to head them off at the pass.
Kept thinking about all the swarf and dried out insect exoskeletons that probably were inside, not to mention piss poor ports and misc casting flash. Good thing I decided to dig into this atrocity. Two of the head bolt washers were missing, wrist pin bearing has more slop than tossing a hot dog down a hallway, etc etc...read on and be astonished:
The victim:
2009 Skyhawk 66cc
Zero miles
What I intend to do before putting into service:
Photos to follow
Forgive me Father for I have sinned...I tore into this engine before base lining it's performance. Yes, I can fix it even if it's not broken but in this case it was only a matter of time until it broke so I decided to head them off at the pass.
Kept thinking about all the swarf and dried out insect exoskeletons that probably were inside, not to mention piss poor ports and misc casting flash. Good thing I decided to dig into this atrocity. Two of the head bolt washers were missing, wrist pin bearing has more slop than tossing a hot dog down a hallway, etc etc...read on and be astonished:
The victim:
2009 Skyhawk 66cc
Zero miles
- Spark plug gasket surface lacks spot facing
- Only 2 washers under cylinder head acorn nuts (2 nuts way too tight)
- Intake gasket ID extremely undersized. Port is rectangular, manifold round!
- Head gasket surface and top of cylinder have misc scratches/dings, will lap smooth
- Rod bearing can slip to either side of rod as there’s a .0825" gap on either side of the rod
- Big end of rod bearing appears to even have some vertical play! Hopefully a quality bearing will eliminate or reduce this
- Throwout bearing pivot rod (in cover) has LOTS of slop as if it needs a bushing
- “SPEED” carburetor, how does this compare to the CNS?
- BOOST TUBE any good or just so much hype?
- Cylinder base gasket not the same shape as the ports
What I intend to do before putting into service:
- Shim side play between piston and wrist pin
- Replace ALL bearings and seals with quality aftermarket
- Lap head gasket surfaces
- Trim bottom edge of piston on exhaust side and maybe opposite side
- Substitute intake with aluminum CNC replacement
- Make proper fitting gaskets where required (cyl base, intake manifold etc)
- Replace any substandard, missing or incorrect hardware
- Properly lube and torque all components
Photos to follow
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