i have a 83' subaru 1800, i need a new ring and want to know if i should rebuild the whole engine or just replace that one ring? the only way is to split the block, right?

If you are going to the trouble, you might as well do all the bearings and rings. You'll need a complete gasket set, etc. You are looking at right around $200 in just parts. And it would be a waste to bother leaving the engine stock - add a cam, and mill the heads. And of course you will want a valve job too.....

 

Simple answer - not worth it - get another engine. Unless like me you have a desire for HP, and a dislike of timing belts for off-road.

 

Plus - how do you know it's rings? Have you done a compression check?

 

GD

If you are going to the trouble, you might as well do all the bearings and rings. You'll need a complete gasket set, etc. You are looking at right around $200 in just parts. And it would be a waste to bother leaving the engine stock - add a cam, and mill the heads. And of course you will want a valve job too.....

 

Simple answer - not worth it - get another engine. Unless like me you have a desire for HP, and a dislike of timing belts for off-road.

 

Plus - how do you know it's rings? Have you done a compression check?

 

GD

yea i did a compression test, it reads lower then the others, other 3 are in the 125 to 130 range, and the 4th is 90, yes it could be the valves but i dont know how to tell,

Probably valves. Do a search for wet/dry compression test. Or "Leakdown test".

 

GD

After testing the compression "dry" use a little oil down the spark plug hole and test it again "wet". I actually don't remember how what means what, so look it up.

do a compression test with all 4 plugs out, and all restrictions out of the intake system. Next squirt oil in all the cylinders and do the test. If the number go up its rings, no change its valves.

if itd rings, rebuild the engine. Its rare to have a bad ring so its probably a valve burned.

 

nipper