Help me rebuild my Zetec silvertop!

Boycey0211 · 31 Jul 2013 at 15:59

Gents/Ladies, advice required!

I have fully stripped a Zetec 1.8 silvertop for use in a kit car once rebuilt, on taking it apart I have found one of the pistons to be worn, the bores however are completely untouched and look absolutely spot on. The plan is to have a fast road cam kit also when it is rebuilt. The problems I am having are picking a new set of pistons and valves etc as there seem to be so many different sizes and I just want the original sizes back in.

So basically could you spec me the correct sizes of pistons, rings, and associated rebuild kit as I am overwhelmed by the choices in sizes I have at this stage! Thanks

TaKeN · 31 Jul 2013 at 16:02

I've not touched an engine build before.

But.. don't you need to physically measure each bore? Then you can work out what size piston to accomodate each cylinder, and the ring kit to fit said pistons.

ci_newman · 31 Jul 2013 at 16:10

I would bet that you are better off asking on a kit-car forum. I doubt there are many folk here that have rebuilt a 1.8 Zetec lump.

Westyfield2 · 31 Jul 2013 at 16:44

ci_newman said:
I would bet that you are better off asking on a kit-car forum. I doubt there are many folk here that have rebuilt a 1.8 Zetec lump.

Had a 2.0 Zetec Silvertop and Blacktop built before... but just paid someone who knew what they were doing to do it!

"andy" · 31 Jul 2013 at 17:09

Which part of the piston is worn ?

do you know the history of the engine ? How 'far' are you taking the rebuild and are you looking for, a refreshed engine or a higher performing one ?

Boycey0211 · 31 Jul 2013 at 17:29

its directly on top of the piston, looks like impact damage but the head is completely fine so im guessing it was damaged previously?? Ideally I would like more performance but within an affordable limit, polished crank etc. will be too much!

Dogbreath · 31 Jul 2013 at 18:34

If it's ever been re-bored the pistons will be marked on the crown with the oversize (e.g. 0.5), otherwise they will be the standard 80.6mm bore size. I don't think the Zetec E pistons are graded.

However, a complete set of pistons and rings is going to be pretty expensive unless you strike lucky on ebay etc. Personally I'd put that money toward a good 2.0L Blacktop and a set of ARP rod bolts, a 1.8 isn't worth spending big money on unless you asbolutely need to stick to that capacity for whatever reason.

If you just want to get it running, I'd simply get a s/h set of pistons, new rings and get the bores honed before you install them. Do you actually need new valves (e.g. are they burnt)?