Assuming all goes well in the game of life over the next year, I'd like to take this summer and rebuild an engine with my son. The objectives are two fold. ONE, to have the experience and memories of doing this with my boy before I'm unable to see him as often as I want to and TWO to have an engine that will last awhile, put into a shell or salvage car or car with blown/bad motor and have a vehicle that is capable of multiple 600 mile one way trips so that I can see my boy.
I figured If I was able to get an engine together, by the time next summer rolled around I could have some money saved up to find a vehicle... and a great motor that I wouldn't have to worry about failing me in the middle of the corn belt of our nation.
Your thoughts on any of this currently only thought exercise are welcome, don't be shy.
Engine:
Either a 2.3L Duratec or a Volvo B23 Redblock.
Trying to find them with 100k miles or less.
Get a re-ring kit, and/or replace the crank (if affordable)
Not going to touch the head. might just clean it. Trying to avoid any machining costs.
Hoses, Belts, Battery, new tires, replace broken items, worn bushings etc.
Remove rust, stop rust.
If there's money left, find which seats will mount in the car, get me a new seat.
Replace suspension components
cool air intake?
catback?
Headers?
I doubt I'll still have money at that point and there is a distinct possibility that the engine doesn't work because it was assembled by me and the boy. However, even if nothing comes of this and I lose everything I put into the cost of an engine and parts, its something for the kid and I to do instead of havin him spend his time playing video games.
As to final vehicle, if we do the duratec, I'd love a manual transmission focus wagon. If its the volvo, any block or wagon would do... but I'm going to want a smaller one to try and get the best mileage as possible.
All of this of course is pivoting on a decision that I have no control over... and if we can't work on the engine because he'll be gone this coming fall... I'll just be saving until I have enough to get something more solid than my 95 Escort and calling it done for the short term.
So, there you have most of it. Generalized advice on different parts or systems are just as welcome as specific recommendations. Again, my biggest challenges for this car are:
-Able to handle 1200-2400 miles a month, Driving there Fridays and driving home Sundays
-Ride comfort I'm not as young as I used to be, having the shit shaken out of me doesn't have to happen anymore.
-Mileage sure gas is back down again right now (relatively) but switching from the escort to something that doesn't get somehow near 30 mpg is going to bankrupt me.
That's it. It doesn't have to look pretty. Just clean.
Kirk Coughlin
Woodbury, MN and River Falls, WI
Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est.
