I'm finally getting closer to having my VH45 put back together and running. I've gone in over my head on this project already and I want to make sure I'm not over looking anything.
Here's the work I've had done already:
Bored engine .040 over, replaced pistons, rod and main bearings, and rings. Had heads rebuilt with new valve stem seals due to leaking valves during vaccum test. Heads were re-surfaced as well.Crank was polished. Every part that was dirty was cleaned.
Parts I've purchased that haven't gone in yet:
Gasket set (from JIS engines. Only included head gaskets, intake manifold and plenum gaskets, o-rings, valve stem seals, and some other small misc. gaskets) More on this later. Rear Main seal.2x Nissan OEM knock sensors.Having injectors flow tested at Deatschworks.Oil pump chain. Thermostat.Updated timing guides are being ordered tomorrow. ALL hoses will be replaced. Spark plugs will be replaced with OEM.
The engine will hopefully be a fairly "stock" reliable VH45 when it's done. I'm planning on re-routing the PCV system into an oil catch can thanks to Mettler. Possibly get rid of the EGR system.
I know I'm forgetting some parts but that's the majority of the parts and work done. I want to make sure that with as much money and time as I'm putting into this that I'm not overlooking something stupid. What else should I replace that I haven't already before putting it back in the car? Coolant sensors? O2 sensors? Most of this I can change later easily if it goes bad.
Aside from the above, I've got a few questions I haven't seen answered. Many guys say that you NEED to change the head bolts after they've been used. I mentioned this to the shop doing the machine work on the engine and after looking up the torque specs they said it's probably not needed since the head bolts require a specific torque. Not "torque bolt to 75 ft-lbs and tighten another 90*". I know it wouldn't hurt, but no reason to replace them if they aren't necessary.
Where can I get away with RTV vs. a gasket? My gasket set didn't include valve cover gaskets, a water pump gasket, oil pan gasket, timing cover gaskets, etc.
What else do I need to do while it's apart?
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Mettler
- Posts: 1283
- Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:05 pm
- Car: HR31 GTS-8 coupe, VH41/45 Hybrid Transplant
Re: What else do I need to do while it's apart? (tmorgan4)
Do your frost plugs, replace them with brass ones. May as well while the motor is apart! *shrug*
And yes, absolutely use new head bolts!! I can't stress this enough! You can really only reuse them once from factory... There is actually a stretch tolerance measurement somewhere in the FSM that you can go by. The guy who told you that you probably don't need new ones, told you wrong. There are several tightening stages in putting the head bolts in place, as they do stretch when fully torqued.
If you would like an example of this going bad... there's a guy in australia running a supercharged VH45DE in his R33 coupe... he's been using it as a dragstrip weapon and cutting times in the 10s... pretty impressive really. Well, he ended up having his heads lift during a particularly hearty run, almost destroying his build and nearly putting him into the wall & the GTR racing up in the other lane.
I'm using new head bolts in my rebuild, trust me I don't want to reuse old ones and regret it later.
And yes, absolutely use new head bolts!! I can't stress this enough! You can really only reuse them once from factory... There is actually a stretch tolerance measurement somewhere in the FSM that you can go by. The guy who told you that you probably don't need new ones, told you wrong. There are several tightening stages in putting the head bolts in place, as they do stretch when fully torqued.
If you would like an example of this going bad... there's a guy in australia running a supercharged VH45DE in his R33 coupe... he's been using it as a dragstrip weapon and cutting times in the 10s... pretty impressive really. Well, he ended up having his heads lift during a particularly hearty run, almost destroying his build and nearly putting him into the wall & the GTR racing up in the other lane.
I'm using new head bolts in my rebuild, trust me I don't want to reuse old ones and regret it later.
Re: What else do I need to do while it's apart? (Mettler)
Alright Mettler...I'll change out those head bolts too.
Just called Infiniti dealer and those bolts are $3.92 apiece and there are 20 of them. Man this project is getting expensive.
Just called Infiniti dealer and those bolts are $3.92 apiece and there are 20 of them. Man this project is getting expensive.
Re: (Mettler)
I was actually really surprised they weren't a whole lot more expensive than they were. If you need parts in the future it might be worth it to look into shipping stuff from the US since I'm sure everything is crazy expensive where you are.
I heard back from Deatchwerks today and 6 of the injectors were good, 2 were bad. Mike talked me into going with the Phase 2 injectors since they have a much lower rate of failure. The last thing I want to do is hydrolock the brand new engine due to a failed fuel injector! There goes another $700.
I heard back from Deatchwerks today and 6 of the injectors were good, 2 were bad. Mike talked me into going with the Phase 2 injectors since they have a much lower rate of failure. The last thing I want to do is hydrolock the brand new engine due to a failed fuel injector! There goes another $700.
Re: (Mettler)
If you come across anything else you need that is ridiculously expensive, give one of us US guys a shout. I owe for you all the help you've given me.
Can anyone comment on the use of RTV vs. gaskets?
Can anyone comment on the use of RTV vs. gaskets?