1988RedT2
1988RedT2 UltimaDork
1/23/19 6:43 a.m.

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.

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/23/19 6:49 a.m.

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.

1988RedT2
1988RedT2 UltimaDork
1/23/19 6:52 a.m.

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?

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/23/19 7:26 a.m.

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

Donebrokeit
Donebrokeit SuperDork
1/23/19 9:32 a.m.

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

Professor_Brap
Professor_Brap HalfDork
1/23/19 9:58 a.m.

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. 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/23/19 10:02 a.m.

In reply to Professor_Brap :

Fresh dohc heads???

Professor_Brap
Professor_Brap HalfDork
1/23/19 10:04 a.m.

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. 

 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/23/19 10:29 a.m.

Depending on the condition of the heads i have here, i may take you up on one!

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