Pulling Engine for Rebuild, what to do while its out?

[jtsarnak]

I have a '95 SE with an automatic transmission. Upgrades include AEM intake and a hotshot header. I'm pulling the engine next week to do a complete rebuild. I'm going to have some basic machine work done to it and I'm using the TopLine Platinum rebuild kit when I get the block and head back.

In the meantime, I'll have the engine out and I was wondering what wonderful and exciting things I could do while it was out. I DO NOT want any part of an auto to manual swap, I just want to put that out there right away. What I am interested in is cleaning and maintaining, and possibly upgrading, though the funds are limited. Some things I was thinking of doing:

1. Cleaning the injectors very well2. Cleaning the engine bay itself3. Upgrading to electric cooling fans (is this worth it, especially when there's a turbo upgrade in the distant future?)4. Possibly adding a transmission cooler

I know you guys probably have a lot more to add, so in general, what is a good idea to do while I have the convenience and space to do it? Also, any tips on what to get for when it's all going back together would be greatly appreciated (like magnetic oil drain plug, upgraded hoses, upgraded engine mounts, etc.)

Any suggestions would help, but I'm going for best bang for the buck with the future goals of reliability and a clean engine bay and an eventual turbo kit a year or two later.

[[s3]]

Replace every rubber vacuum hose, as a matter of fact replace all the rubber hoses you see in the engine bay.

PCVs, replace any dead sensors, basically all gaskets and rusty nuts/bolts.

For added performance, you might want to do a port/polish, valve job, clean all internals, shot peen some rods, cryo treat the block, fortify the bottom end etc.

[jtsarnak]

Thanks! I am definitely going to have the machine shop tank the block, cleaning the whole thing out. I'd like some minor head work done and I was to balance and blueprint the engine as well.

As far as the suggestions for the rubber hoses and rusty hardware, is there a kit that comes with replacement hardware specifically for this engine or is it a matter of taking the parts to Home Depot and matchign things up?

Same question with the hoses, do they make a kit that has all of them, cut to the right length, or do I need to buy my own lengths? Or are they're more durable/stylish alternatives to black rubber?

Thanks, and keep the ideas coming!

[[s3]]

best bet is to order OEM replacements, or highly quality hoses (maybe silicone)

http://www.hosetechniques.com has a nice selection

[navysnail]

your auto transmission already has a cooler built into the radiator.

the electric fans will probobly be worth it.

make sure you dont damage the injectors when you clean them. if i were you, id send them to rc engenering for cleaning and flow balancing.

id also do things like water pump, thermostadt, new gaskets, seals, plugs and wires, and other wear items

[jtsarnak]

Thanks fellas!

Is it really all that hard to clean injectors yourself?

I'd prefer not to have to send them away, but does this place have a website?

Keep em' coming! I'll take pictures along the way to document it all.

[[s3]]

You can't clean injectors yourself, well maybe if you use that Injector cleaner stuff, but you should leave injector cleaning and flow balancing to the pros.

http://www.rceng.com