Benefits and Types of Engine Rebuild Kits
Should you rebuild or replace your engine? Although replacing an engine might seem like a less time-consuming task it is however not always the best solution. Rebuilding an engine means keeping the majority of its components while only replacing the more worn-out parts.
This makes for a more cost-effective solution that allows you to set your engine exactly the way you want and need it to behave. With a rebuilt engine, you will get the best performance levels and improve your vehicle's fuel economy. It may take a lot more time but the invested effort will bring you peace of mind in the years to come. To make the task of rebuilding an engine easier you should consider getting a kit.
Benefits of an Engine Rebuild Kit
Time
The total time needed to rebuild your engine will be significantly less with a proper rebuilding kit. This is because you won't be the one looking for the right replacement motor rebuild parts. All you'll need to do is get an engine rebuild kit and prepare yourself to get your hands dirty.
Compatibility
Another obstacle you might come across when searching for replacement parts by yourself is compatibility issues. Some of them may not fit the engine you have and you can only notice that after they arrive. Again this ties in with the time you will save with a car engine rebuild kit.
Cost-Effective
Since, with a kit, you're getting all the needed hardware from one place, you won't spend as much money on your engine rebuilding. This way you will save both time and money and still get a better-performing car. That is if you go for the right kit in the first place.
Types of Engine Rebuild Kits
Re-Ring
The smallest rebuild kit you can get is a re-ring kit. If you want to spend the least amount of time rebuilding your neigh this is the kit for you. A re-ring kit typically comes with cylinder lines, connecting rod bearings, main bearings, thrust washers, piston rings, a cylinder head gasket set, and an oil pan gasket set.
You may also see re-ring kits that are called pistonless which signifies that those are re-ring kits. The reason why they are called re-ring kits is because you're replacing the rings of pistons while the pistons themselves are being reused. If your engine has pistons in good condition then a re-ring kit is your best option.
Inframe
Your bog-standard engine rebuild kit is an inframe kit. This type of kit comes with more components than a re-ring kit but it also takes more time to rebuild your engine with it.
Although the hardware you get with an inframe kit depends on the type of engine you want to rebuild, usually, piston parts like pins and rings are present. But inframe kits also come with the same hardware present in re-ring car engine rebuild kits with some extra gaskets. These include the upper engine gasket set and a head gasket set.
Out-of-Frame
If you want to take on the most challenging engine rebuilding process then you should go for an out-of-frame kit. This kit has the highest number of components in it which includes everything found in both inframe and re-ring kit as well as front and rear crankshaft seals and pistons if needed. You will spend the most amount of time rebuilding an engine with an out-of-frame kit but it will definitely be worth it. If you want to give your engine the best treatment possible out-of-frame kits are the best solution.
OEM vs Aftermarket Kits
There are two options you can go for when it comes to car engine rebuild kits – OEM or aftermarket. An OEM rebuild kit is going to cost you significantly more than an aftermarket one but the reason for that are the original motor rebuild parts. The components in OEM kits are made by the official manufacturer of your engine.
This gives you a better guarantee that the parts will fit and that they will last a long time. But if you decide to go with an aftermarket kit you can still get the same level of quality for half the price. Although you'll need to do quite a bit of research to find such an aftermarket kit you will be able to save a substantial amount of money.
Summary
No amount of advice will help you find the right type of rebuild kit your engine needs in order to continue thriving. What you should do instead is try and look for what's caused the need for a rebuild in the first place and then look for the most fitting kit. Of course, you shouldn't exclude, your skillset, which if it's not on par for an engine rebuild, you should look for professional help or at least some tips on how to make your first time rebuilding an engine easier.
