- Joined
- Jan 21, 2023
- Messages
- 150
- City
- sherwood Oregon
- Vehicle Year
- 2005
- Engine
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Automatic
I've got a lot more time than money. Automotive services are scarce around here and the ones that are available are backed up "Months"!! So I started googling DIY HOT TANK. I decided I'd start small and simple. Bought a used camp stove for $100. Used Simple Green concentrate with water for cleaning solution. Was considering reusing pistons as the donor 2.5 short block for my 2.3 over 2.5 build. The engine was in really good condition. NOTE: (checking CarFax was a killer move for this one). Turned out the previous owner of the Ford Fusion was a maintenance nut. Changed oil religiously for the 6 years of the life of this vehicle. I really considered not taking it apart after looking at the bearings and journals. BUT, it was already apart so why not? Going to replace rings and bearings, hone the block.
I started with the pistons as I may or may not decide to re use them. They all measured in spec and had very little to no wear on the skirts. I used a shallow pan for the crowns as I didn't want to somehow affect the skirt coating. WOW, they cleaned up awesome! There are a lot of bolts I'll re use. So I tried them next. Came out looking brand new. Later I will use a little deeper pan I'll make from scrap steel for cooking that front cover. Again, I'll submerge it to the Clutch fan bearing but leaving the bearing out of the water Simple green mix. I don't want to chance damage to the bearing itself. After that I'll cut down a 55 gallon steel drum just tall enough to cover the main block and tank it. Never again will I have to run 40 mile round trip to hot tank, do it again to pick them up and pay them to do it. Total investment so far $120 bucks. We'll see how that crusty cover comes out.
I started with the pistons as I may or may not decide to re use them. They all measured in spec and had very little to no wear on the skirts. I used a shallow pan for the crowns as I didn't want to somehow affect the skirt coating. WOW, they cleaned up awesome! There are a lot of bolts I'll re use. So I tried them next. Came out looking brand new. Later I will use a little deeper pan I'll make from scrap steel for cooking that front cover. Again, I'll submerge it to the Clutch fan bearing but leaving the bearing out of the water Simple green mix. I don't want to chance damage to the bearing itself. After that I'll cut down a 55 gallon steel drum just tall enough to cover the main block and tank it. Never again will I have to run 40 mile round trip to hot tank, do it again to pick them up and pay them to do it. Total investment so far $120 bucks. We'll see how that crusty cover comes out.