Just a simple question, I'm pretty mechanically minded but this has always intrigued me...

Is an engine rebuild basically like getting a new engine? As my fairmont is getting a little old (300,000 kms) but still runs great, is it worth getting a rebuild sometime in the future just to re-strengthen it, i guess?

And what is an average price for a rebuild, for people who have had one done?

yes it is basically getting a new engine, EXCEPT the metal (block, rods, crank, etc...) may have hair cracks in them and suffer from major stress and strain, but for a stock motor, this wont really mater, after 300000km's your compression ratio couldve droped from 9:1 (example) UP TO an 8:1 (depending on how hard you drive it. Clearances form, parts start changing weight, power loss increase (not to mention the camshaft design 300000km's later, its been grinded down a fair bit that valves arent opening enough, timing has gone off, etc, etc...)

All in all, your motors only good for a POP or an everyday driver, but if your considering on pumping some horses out of it, a rebuild is the answer (not to mention blueprinting and balancing)

Run it till it starts smoking and then rebuild it. It'll be an as-new job if you do it properly as you will be boring it out, replacing the piston skirts, and re-balancing and re-grinding the crank.

Cost - can't tell you exactly for Victoria but if I did the job myself, around a grand in parts. Around $2-2.5 k to have it all done for you. Possibly a better option for you would be to look at a secondhand motor with lower kays on it. It'll be a quicker job and a hell of a lot cheaper. Sounds like you're only using the car as a family hack type thing so you dont want to spend big dollars unless you have to.

Rebuilding can be expensive, a fair bit involved, but done properly you get a stronger motor than from the factory

not if done through "Mark from it's performance" He can do engine exchanges where you swap ur tired/dead engine for a rebuilt one or he can rebuild your own engine... from mild to wild... not too expesive either... from experience!!

I had an HM 5 star reconditioned motor fitted to my cpi EB,cost $2700 drive in drive away, with a 3 year warranty.Very happy with it after 2 years. Maybe this is the easiest way, if you intend to keep the beast.

I had an HM 5 star reconditioned motor fitted to my cpi EB,cost $2700 drive in drive away, with a 3 year warranty.Very happy with it after 2 years. Maybe this is the easiest way, if you intend to keep the beast.