Hypothetical situation: Let's say I found a Dodge Neon 2.0 DOHC for sale for cheap with a broken timing belt. Is the engine rebuildable? What should I expect to find other than a bunch of bent valves and a buggered-up piston or two?
I once owned a ratty '97 that I got fairly intimate with--basically did an in-car refresh with valve job, new rings and rod bearings. Wanted some idea of whether or not I was likely to run into something I couldn't handle.
Well, it may have bent a rod with valve contact. These rods aren't known for their strength.
I have spare rods and dohc pistons (i think. Have to tear the blown motors down) if you need them.
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Thanks! I appreciate that. Long ways from there at the moment.
Stupid question: How would I know if the rod was bent?
Once you get the head off it should be fairly obvious that one cylinder is lower at top dead center than the others if A-Rod is bent
Having seen many timing belt fail on these (lack of maintenance) bent valves is the most common repair. I have only seen one piston damaged due to belt failure, never seen a bent rod.
YMMV
I have only seen a bent rod in a Neon from Boost and Hyrdolocking (only on my own car)
its not hard to check to see if valves are bent, I got a few fresh heads floating around if you are in need of one.
In reply to Professor_Brap :
Fresh dohc heads???
Got 3, one is a 2.4 head I was going to use on my SRT, one is a rebuilt head I did for a guy who never paied, and another is a nice clean head.
Depending on the condition of the heads i have here, i may take you up on one!