An antique dealer in rural New Hampshire watched a farmer chopping wood.
"How old is that axe?" asked the dealer.
"This chopper has been in the family a long time," said the farmer. "We've had it since before the Revolutionary War."
"That's amazing. And it's in great condition."
"It ought to be. The handle has been replaced eight times. And the head three times."
Now, is it worth rebuilding an old engine to that extent? Not unless you're restoring some car of great historic value. But it CAN be done.
Engines can be rebuilt, but it's not the external things like hoses etc. Sure those can get old and wear out, and you probably do need to replace them, but they don't usually affect the engine power or oil use etc.
It's internal things like the pistons, rings, bearings, valves etc.
Now assuming the engine hasn't been badly damaged all those things can be replaced, and you get a fully reconditioned engine, that should work "like new".
But you are then putting an "new" engine back in an old worn out vehicle, with all the other issues it may have. Now if the car is something special like an old Mustang or other classic car, then you do it, and deal with the other issues as well. Then you end up with a "restored" vehicle, that can be as good, or even better as when it came off the production line. But that costs big $$$.
If it is rebuilt, a 15 year old BLOCK is better than a new one actually. The metal has cured. At that age however you have to look for cracks and replace virtually everything making it not practical so in short- no. Get a new or like new motor.
It's done every dayc of the week. I'm having an engine designed and used in the 60's restored (rebuilt) for my model A Ford.
ANY engine can be restored if it isn't all rusted.
Depending on the engine, a minor to major overhaul aka rebuild can be performed at an engine shop. But it is not always worth the costs. It also depends if it needs it or not. The rest you mentioned is just standard maintenance.
yes, engines can be rebuilt to factory specs,
Say a 15 yr old motor that isnt destroyed but clearly has seen better days, or has 250k miles on it be made like new? Saw you update all hose lines and fluids. Basically restoring to a condition that replecates an engine that day it rolled out of the line?
