Question: 2.0 rebuild tips?

[thescifiguy]

Hi guys, I just got a used factory 2.0 engine that I'm gonna have rebuilt a bit. Does anyone have any tips, tricks, or techno babble that I should know?

I love every aspect of restoring a GT, but engines don't interest me one bit, so I'll be giving it to a motor rebuilder friend who actually thinks engines are FUN.

I've got all new valve and main seals, plus gaskets, as well as new hydraulic lifters, cam bearings, and rings. It's a "checked out" engine from one of our California suppliers and it looks pretty clean.

Are there any things to beware of? I thought I read something about making sure that an oil hole in one of the cam bearing is properly lined up. Anything like that I should know?

Sincerely,
Engine Hater

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by thescifiguy Hi guys, I just got a used factory 2.0 engine that I'm gonna have rebuilt a bit. Does anyone have any tips, tricks, or techno babble that I should know? I love every aspect of restoring a GT, but engines don't interest me one bit, so I'll be giving it to a motor rebuilder friend who actually thinks engines are FUN. I've got all new valve and main seals, plus gaskets, as well as new hydraulic lifters, cam bearings, and rings. It's a "checked out" engine from one of our California suppliers and it looks pretty clean. Are there any things to beware of? I thought I read something about making sure that an oil hole in one of the cam bearing is properly lined up. Anything like that I should know? Sincerely, Engine Hater

Keep in mind that any post 1980 Opel engines used a different oiling path for the camshaft.

Older engines (all the US versions) have the oil fed into the bottom of the head, through a hole in the lower part of the forward cam bearing, around a groove in the cam journal itself, and out through a hole in the top of the forward cam bearing, which then feeds the rest of the valvetrain. The alignment of the top and bottom holes in the front cam bearing is critical, otherwise the valvetrain gets no oil!

The later engines have no groove in the camshaft itself, and no hole at the bottom of the forward cam bearing (so you MUST have the proper front cam bearing!). The oil is fed around the forward cam bearing via a machined channel in the head itself, and then feeds the valvetrain directly. There's one small hole in the forward cam bearing, but it simply supplys some oil to the forward journal of the camshaft itself. The hole location here is not as critical, as long as it is within the left hand 180° bore of the cam hole, it works fine.

[markandson]

Damn Bob, your knowledge of all the little things in these engines always blows my mind

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by markandson Damn Bob, your knowledge of all the little things in these engines always blows my mind

Well, when it was in fact my business selling parts for these cars, NOT knowing these sorts of things could prove disastrous for my customers!

[thescifiguy]

Dang, Bob, you da man!

The head and the block are from two different engines, but seem to differ from the model years I was told. What do the block numbers:

20S*0756094
11C83

and head number:

90090490

tell you?

Something radical and unbelievably high performance, perhaps?

[GTJIM]

The '11C83' on the block indicates it is a 1983 block. The cylinder heads have year numbers on them too - two numbers cast by the rocker cover rail.
The number you have quoted for the head is the casting number and may have been used through several years. Need to look for the two year numbers (83?) and also for any numbers stamped on the machined pad beside the center cam access cover on the side of the head opposite the manifolds.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by thescifiguy Dang, Bob, you da man! The head and the block are from two different engines, but seem to differ from the model years I was told. What do the block numbers: 20S*0756094 11C83 and head number: 90090490 tell you? Something radical and unbelievably high performance, perhaps?

I don't know that part number offhand. Here's where you'll find the date and part number. This is a 1979 head, part # 90088663:


And here's where you find the model/type of the head, right above #2 spark plug. This is an 'X20' head:


Bob

[thescifiguy]

The head says "XR2E" above the #2 plug. I can't make out anything else.

How are the cam bearings installed? Are they pressed in? My basic factory repair book doesn't mention anything.

Gordon

[wrench459]

Cam bgrs are installed with a big hammer,special cam bgr installation tool,magic marker,experience,sharp knife, and I almost think luck.