Sam's S54 Build 2/3 Teardown

[samthejam]

So I got a cheap S54 from marketplace awhile ago. Finally got it to my dads where I can work on it. It was a good deal with the 6 speed trans.

I already had a smoking gun, on why the engine put whatever car it was in to the yard. Both vanos tabs were broken.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

I wanted to check the bearings and crank before spending any money on it. They looked fine,

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

They all looked good, I've seen way worse. Will get new bearings obviously but crank and all of them were good.

However the oil pump chain, had 0 tension on it at all.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


Whoever owned this engine did not believe in oil changes. I also completely missed this prior but finally noticed the upper guide...
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

All of that yummy plastic in the Carquest oil filter that was in there.


Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

So I have ended up with quite the project that is an hour and a half away from my house. The head is off now as well. The bores still have crosshatching but it isn't much. My dad has all the equipment to measure the bores and that will decide where I go next.

This will be basically, unfortunately be a full rebuild now. I really don't like getting stuff machined so hopefully bores come out as okay. This will be a nice slow burn though

[bigjae46]

So I got a cheap S54 from marketplace awhile ago. Finally got it to my dads where I can work on it. It was a good deal with the 6 speed trans.

I already had a smoking gun, on why the engine put whatever car it was in to the yard. Both vanos tabs were broken.

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

I wanted to check the bearings and crank before spending any money on it. They looked fine,

Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

They all looked good, I've seen way worse. Will get new bearings obviously but crank and all of them were good.

However the oil pump chain, had 0 tension on it at all.
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr


Whoever owned this engine did not believe in oil changes. I also completely missed this prior but finally noticed the upper guide...
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr
Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

All of that yummy plastic in the Carquest oil filter that was in there.


Untitled by Sam DaJam, on Flickr

So I have ended up with quite the project that is an hour and a half away from my house. The head is off now as well. The bores still have crosshatching but it isn't much. My dad has all the equipment to measure the bores and that will decide where I go next.

This will be basically, unfortunately be a full rebuild now. I really don't like getting stuff machined so hopefully bores come out as okay. This will be a nice slow burn though

I think I still have a 400 grit honing stone if you need to touch up the cylinders.

If the crank is good then the rest is gravy. Just pull it apart, hot tank everything and then reassemble.

[George Hill]

Whats the plan for it... going in the ZHP?

[cobra]

I recommend wearing gloves to avoid getting used oil and chemicals on your skin for extended periods of time

[bigjae46]

I recommend wearing gloves to avoid getting used oil and chemicals on your skin for extended periods of time

Agreed. Your skin is an organ that absorbs things...like old engine oil. Old engine oil has fuel in it which contains benzene which is no bueno.

These are the best gloves I've ever used. Expensive but cost less since they are quite durable and last a lot longer than other gloves.

ANSELL, Gen Purpose/Medical-Grade, M ( 8 ), Disposable Gloves - 2TEL9|SG-375-M - Grainger

[cobra]

Agreed. Your skin is an organ that absorbs things...like old engine oil. Old engine oil has fuel in it which contains benzene which is no bueno.

These are the best gloves I've ever used. Expensive but cost less since they are quite durable and last a lot longer than other gloves.

ANSELL, Gen Purpose/Medical-Grade, M ( 8 ), Disposable Gloves - 2TEL9|SG-375-M - Grainger

I've been using the harbor freight 9 mil (black) nitrile gloves and they hold up quite well as well.