i have a 95 sl2 that im burning oil in. i did a compression check on it and it wasent to good so i know its the rings. i was wondering if i just took off the head and droped the oil pan and pushed the pistons threw the head if i could do it that way. everyone is saying that i "have to pull the motor"[img]smileys/smiley7.gif[/img]im open for any ideas

Well, if your still looking for an answer...NO, you don't have to pull the engine! It is quite simple really. In short, you need to remove accessories, the valve cover, then the timing cover (engine mount, harmonic balancer), exhaust manifold,everything that is connected to the intake manifoldand the head. For the oil pan, you simply need to unbolt that portion of the exhaust, and that brace covering it. Unbolt the pistons and pop 'em out. I have noticed that rings are a little expensive though |(. Good luck,ask me if you have any questions.

I
suggest to ask your mechanic to perform a cylinder leak-down test, to
be sure if it wasn't the gaskets or valves.. rings are a bit expensive
i agree, but the local dealers such as
Auto Parts Napa i heard
give out good deals for those!</span></span></span></font>
Edited by: U_turn

Some stores will sell rings from between $80-$100 for a standard set. I shopped around and ended up getting a set at my local Carquest store for $75. I tended to notice that all the exhaust valves on my engine weren't sealing completely. Luckily I have access to a grinder and I will be rebuilding my head anyways.

You really should determine where the actual wear is first. Usually on a Saturn most of the wear is in the block, and not as much with the rings. You may have two problems on your hands by trying to do this job the quick way with the block still in the car. The first problem may be excessive ring ridge. If you install new rings with nice square edges on them, they may dig into the ridge in the block and destroy the lands in the pistons (unless you plan on honing the block in the car). The second problem is that you may find this fix temporary, and not last that many miles unless you true up the cylinder walls and put in oversized rings. You are better off to take the block out and measure it properly for wear, and decide how far over you have to take the rings, and measure the crank to see if you need to do the bearings. It's not that much more work to take the motor out, and a heck of a lot quicker to remove the accessories while it is out of the car.


I have sympathy..... I'm looking to re-build my girlfriends Saturn for the same reason. I have a great doner block, but I am still looking for a good crank to put in it, andone new con rod.


Check around, but it looks like flatlander racing is oe of the least expensive for Saturn rotating components.


good luck