13-04-2013, 05:07 PM
Changing rods takes just a little bit longer than doing a head gasket really.. apart from you already know the head is ok so no need to skim, and just need to drop the sump and undo 8 nuts 
Drag your nail over the lip, if you can feel it, its too big. If you cant then just sand gently to remove the carbon lip, lube up and get those bangers out. I never ever have an issue with this, you should never force ANYTHING, you're only pushing the piston out the end of the cylinder at the end of the day, so if you're applying enough force to snap a ring than your pushing FAR to hard... the same to get them back in... should be tiny tiny gentle taps and providing it all oiled up, and your compressor is as tight as possible you shouldn't have an issue. Probably the same force you would need to hammer a thumb tack into a notice board.
Total cost of redneck bottom engine rebuild:
MLS Gasket £15
Tube of hylomar for sump/gasket £3
Rod/hdi rods+shells whatever you paid.
Could double your cost and buy new bolts if you felt the need.
You could add endless amounts of things you 'should' do and make a bottom end rebuild cost £300, but frankly for an XUD its not worth it. If your putting new rings in then an oil change after 200 miles or so wouldn't go amiss, but I didnt bother when they're same bore etc, just changed it slightly sooner cos there will be some immediate wear if they've been out.
Drag your nail over the lip, if you can feel it, its too big. If you cant then just sand gently to remove the carbon lip, lube up and get those bangers out. I never ever have an issue with this, you should never force ANYTHING, you're only pushing the piston out the end of the cylinder at the end of the day, so if you're applying enough force to snap a ring than your pushing FAR to hard... the same to get them back in... should be tiny tiny gentle taps and providing it all oiled up, and your compressor is as tight as possible you shouldn't have an issue. Probably the same force you would need to hammer a thumb tack into a notice board.Total cost of redneck bottom engine rebuild:
MLS Gasket £15
Tube of hylomar for sump/gasket £3
Rod/hdi rods+shells whatever you paid.
Could double your cost and buy new bolts if you felt the need.
You could add endless amounts of things you 'should' do and make a bottom end rebuild cost £300, but frankly for an XUD its not worth it. If your putting new rings in then an oil change after 200 miles or so wouldn't go amiss, but I didnt bother when they're same bore etc, just changed it slightly sooner cos there will be some immediate wear if they've been out.
![[Image: 22f2b6b2-758b-4c1c-96fb-6fa9c6059b13_zpsf306b56b.jpg]](http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss299/Ha11elujaz0rs/22f2b6b2-758b-4c1c-96fb-6fa9c6059b13_zpsf306b56b.jpg)