I have searched and searched

[cygnus58]

It's finally back together and so far so good.
Started on the first few revs, no smoke visible, (other than residual assembly oil for 15 seconds) and no burned oil smell at highway speed.
3 exhaust valves, rod bearings, all gaskets, new rings, valve seals, 5w-30, deglazed cylinder walls with ball hone. (they were very uniform but about .004 oversized)
Set timing at about 6btdc.
Next to adjust idle stop and screw in TB for best overall idle as they both have been screwed with by us and the previous owner.
this was a good day. 18 days for us to have time, weather, and help permitting this whole deal.

How do you even know if EGR is opening the valve what with the other 2 devices in the mix? I'm tempted to run a T in the input to the actual EGR valve and monitor vaccum there at highway speed. If it will open with applied suction while off, I guess vaccum at speed would mean the other parts are working??

just for fun:

purchase price $500.00
sales tax $ 6.00
title, plate $ 74.50
catalytic converter, head pipe $111.45
middle pipe $ 61.16
exhaust donut and gasket $ 6.13
muffler $ 38.02
dist cap $ 9.81
rotor $ 7.23
alternator belt $ 10.50
spark plugs $ 3.90
rod bearings $ 18.78
ring kit $ 79.79
head bolts $ 20.58
egr gasket $ .58
intake gasket $ 5.85
exhaust gasket $17.94
red rtv sealant $ 4.89
pcv valve $ 5.33
valve seals $ 25.00
lappimg compound $ 3.37
lapping suction tool $ 5.30
timing belt $ 14.87
tires, alignment $243.35
PA inspection $ 22.10
head gasket $ 24.95
valve cover grommets $ 8.00
cam seal $ 2.41
oil $ 9.50
tax(parts, align, inspection) $ 49.99


total $1389.11

now to start saving on gas.....

[cygnus58]

Thanks for all your input Johnny M.
The timing is now at 9btdc and no pinging is heard. Should this prolong valve life then?
It has used only a few ounces of oil in 350 miles.
When I encourage my son to Kick it down, we both smile.
This little engine has come back to life!!
I wish I could find a Metro for my daily drive, as I have been taking his to work nearly every day, and my '88 Cherokee chugs gas compared..
With all the other work done (exhaust, tires, alignment) this is truly a sweet little ride.
There was considerable noise in the rear (slighlty loose bumper/skirt rattling, etc..) which I have eliminated.

[Johnny Mullet]

As long as the EGR system is clean and working, the valves should last a long time. Keep the oil changed, check the trans fluid and other fluids and make sure the car stays maintained and you can see 300,000 miles from it easily.

Now you know how easy they are to work on, I would find one for yourself!

Here is a breakdown of mine...................

I totaled everything I have invested in this 1998 Metro including the purchase price.............

Total cost of car and repair/upgrade parts/supplies = $829.50
Total labor time involved for repairs/upgrades = 38 hours

Amount saved by doing own work with estimated $60.00 per hour rate = $2280

Miles driven since purchase in April = 6800
6800 divided by average of 57MPG = 120 gallons of fuel
Average price of fuel would be about $3.50 x 120 gallons = $420.00 estimated

If I were to use my truck as primary vehicle

6800 miles divided by average of 15 MPG = 453 gallons of fuel
453 gallons at $3.50 average = $1585.50 estimated

Amount saved in fuel by driving Metro 4 months = $1165.50
Amount saved when driven 1 full year = $3495.00

Technically, the car is totally repaired and nothing more should go wrong so if I have no issues for the next 5 years, this car would save me a total of $17,475.00 in fuel savings alone. I truly believe I would not sell this car for what it could have been purchased for brand new back in 1998.