Top end rebuild kit

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Shawn
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Top end rebuild kit

Post by Shawn »

I just bought a 1986 spree, and the engine was locked up. I managed to get it unlocked, but zero compression. I pulled it apart to find damage to the piston and the top ring was completely broken and pieces were in the crankcase. Has anyone used these top end rebuild kits for sale on Amazon? I very sceptical of the quality, but I'm not trying to break any speed records. I'm just trying to get it running so me and my kids can have a little fun out of it.
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eclark5483
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by eclark5483 »

I'd go ahead and buy the kit, but then buy rings for it separately from Honda or a Honda dealer. Generally it's the rings in these kits that are low quality and will give you trouble.
Shawn
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by Shawn »

Thanks for the advice, I think I will give it a shot.
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Meatball
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by Meatball »

Shawn wrote: Fri Aug 31, 2018 5:18 pm the top ring was completely broken and pieces were in the crankcase.
Youre asking for trouble here. Not only is there a good chance your cylinder walls are trashed...but pieces of ring in the case will wreak havoc on crank/rod bearings. Maybe you’ve flushed out the crankcase to remove all the ring bits but you just cant be sure there isnt a chunk wedged in a bearing crevice.

When the ring shattered and blew to bits, the motor was likely spinning thousands of rpm’s. What damage had the ring chunks done before she quit spinning and locked up?
I need to find some new haters...the ones I have are starting to like me.
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by Shawn »

I'm definitely going to flush the crankcase, do you have any recommendations on what to use, or should I take it to a local shop and have them tear it all the way down? I don't have the tools to take the engine block apart.
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Meatball
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by Meatball »

The point I was making was that flushing MIGHT not get all the ring shards from all the hiding places within the case. Also that the damage MIGHT already be done to your crank or rod bearings when failure happened. The most cost effective way to handle this is to find another good running motor and swap it. Spree motors are cheaper than going to a shop for a full teardown.

For example: this one sold on Ebay for a mere $125. Bolt it on and be running in less than 30min. Just gotta keep an eye out for a good deal. It doesnt even have to be complete since you have all of the supporting parts like carb,intake,exhaust, etc..to swap over.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/1986-HONDA-SPREE ... cvip-panel
I need to find some new haters...the ones I have are starting to like me.
Shawn
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by Shawn »

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.
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eclark5483
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by eclark5483 »

Watch yourself on eBay though. Alot of the guys who sell Spree stuff think they have gold. Might wanna start a post in the wanted/for sale section, or maybe check with one of the guys on the Honda Spree Riders Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2200893207

Don't get ripped off on shipping either. I know the last engine I shipped out, was a variated AF05E from Iowa to Oregon, and that ran me $66.35 using USPS (I should have used FedEx I suppose).

If you can get one in the $125-150 range with shipping covered, that's probably a pretty good deal. $200+ ain't so bad either considering what shipping costs. My advice if you do buy a spare engine, and it comes complete with intake/carb.. Have a little fun with the extra parts and experiment with porting. It'll improve the overall performance. And if you screw it up, no biggy, it was a spare part anyway. Info on porting found here:

http://hondaspree.net/wiki/index.php5?t ... the_Intake

Also, you'll probably need gaskets, our fearless admin happens to sell them on eBay for a decent price.

Listing found here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/142207616725

While you're at it, I'd grab a fresh filter and plug from him as well, listing is here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/142054772067
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by Shawn »

Thanks for the advice and links. Where is a good place to get crank bearings and seals?
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eclark5483
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Re: Top end rebuild kit

Post by eclark5483 »

Not sure on the bearings, but I know Taz sells the seals: https://www.ebay.com/itm/372139809588
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