04 Aveo Hatchback getting new engine!

[Nemasys]

If only the 2.0 was that easy to remove the head sigh, you need to remove the intake camshaft to get to the headbolts.

Nice work so far!

[gone-Jonphilip]

+1, any more pictures?

Notches in the pistons!!!! I'm embarassed because I really should have realized that, but hey it was late last night. So here are some more pics of the pistons and valves. After getting a good night's sleep and looking it over again today, it looks like everything is in pretty good shape. The 1 group of valves is oily compared to the others. Does anyone know what this might indicate?

hunterroo, what do you mean by +1 ??

So here is where I need some good advice/direction. Should I have the head reworked and slap it back together and hope it runs, or should I continue down the path of finding a replacement engine? I welcome everyone's thoughts on this. Thanks for all the help guys!!!! JP

[petrified.rabbit]

not sure what you mean by oily.. the two by the oil passage?

send that head out, or buy some valves and lapping paste, and put it back together..

[thehunterooo]

"+1" is usually put when someone agrees with another post, or something along those lines

after a new/fixed head, timing belt and such you should be good to go

[daug1502]

Looking good, we are going to have our own guide complete with pictures by the time your done :P. The ladder and 2x4 winch was a pretty good idea for what you had to work with. I agree on the safety end, but then again I know a guy who started out literally under a shade tree, he had his winch tied to a large branch. As long as it serves it's purpose and no one gets seriously hurt, I'd call it a victory.

[gone-Jonphilip]

thanks daug. I think there's a Jeff Foxworthy joke about "You might be a redneck if you have an engine hangin from a tree!" I'm not to that point yet, but I might get there!

So my dad and my buddy from work suggested I clean and check the cylinder walls really good before I send the head out. 2 of the cylinders do have some scratches, but I'm not sure if they are bad enough to abort this engine or not. I need to make sure the bottom end is good before I proceed with sending the head out. I like this forum because my dad is an hour away, so it gives me a good place to post pics for him and anyone else that cares to comment.

He knows a machine shop not too far from his place that will rework the head for around $185 + any parts that may need replaced (valves, seals, etc.). I thought that sounded like a reasonable price. I'm trying to be cautious because by the time I have the head reworked and buy new head bolts and a gasket, I'll have around $350 to $450 in it and I can buy an '08 engine with less than 50k miles for around $650. And I want this car to run when I'm done because if it doesn't it'll probably get sold as-is and I'll move on with my tail between my legs.

So here are some pics of 2 of the cylinders that have some scratches. The other 2 look pretty smooth. So today's question is how does one determine if these are too scratched or whether it will be ok? Thanks, JP

[petrified.rabbit]

can you feel the scratches? with your finger tip/nail?

pictures make it difficult to say. If you can feel them, then the might need honed. (which with the height, you could do a partial hone) but if they are just visible and not felt, then you should be ok. (i've put together much much worse i am sure, and had good runners)..

[ontarian_frog]

I'm sure there is nothing to fear about those scratches as long as you can't feel them, like rabbit said. They honestly look like regular wear, but my experience comes from two stroke engines, mostly.

[petrified.rabbit]

last i heard, pistons go up and down in 2 strokes just like in 4 strokes :P

[gone-Jonphilip]

thanks for the replies guys. I talked to the previous owner yesterday and asked him if the car used any oil. He said it didn't and that he changed the oil regularly, so I decided to send the head out for repair. My dad knows a machine shop not far from his house, so I took it out to my parent's house yesterday and he's going to drop it off tomorrow. I'm going to wait until I hear from the shop as to what all needs replaced and how much it's going to cost. It looks to me like there are 2 bent valves. Once I hear from them and as long as it isn't too expensive, then I'm going to start cleaning up the parts I've taken off and the top of the block to get it ready to put back together. So I'll update again when I know anything new. Thanks again guys for the help! JP

Also, to answer rabbit's question... yes, I can feel the scratches with my fingernail, but just barely. they are not deep at all. my friend at work said unless they actually stop your fingernail as I move it across them then it's probably not going to burn oil.