Excavator engine rebuild: short block assembly (Hitachi EX120-2/Isuzu 4BD1T)

[@prinzeugenvansovoyen732]

33:27 look closely at the bottom of the engine while you rotate it - there is blasting sand/glass or metall blasting media falling out, and not just a few grains , the block is not properly cleaned out , you need to blow out the oil passages - id dissasemble tbh before this gets shoved into the new bearings on first start

[@PacificNorthwestHillbilly]

I'm amazed and honored that so many people are watching close enough to have caught things like this over the years and then told me about it. It has really helped me out many times when I made a mistake or missed something. This time fortunately (for me), it was some junk in a coolant passage I had just noticed and ran a pick over to break up.

[@jcadult101]

Man, that was a really good catch!

[@haydenc2742]

WOW...holy smoke...I had to watch that particular few seconds over and over 3x times to catch it... Sure enough..a pretty solid stream of "dust" fell out of one of the holes when the engine rotated over with the pan up...daggum!

[@vincem5]

yeah I saw that too.. was going to mention something but you already have :)

[@jackrichards1863]

Well during close examination I was not able to see anything. However 780 pixel is very likely the reason? Well done ya jammy prick! You have my respect sir.

[@gmtech26358]

I am a technician and simply blown away by some of the disparaging comments. I do this type of stuff for a living and let me tell you he is better than most professional technicians. The only gripe I could come up with was doing the the torque angle after the click on the torque wrench... not a big deal. A easy reference is each bolt flat is 60°. Love the videos, keep up the good work. 👍

[@edwardbarnes2910]

Or each peak.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Excellent tip on the torque angle!

[@Sumwunwee]

Disparaging comments! Those people are the incompetent ones of society that haven’t completed anything in life so they bitch about others

[@Mike--K]

I love the longer format for these videos. One tip my mechanic mentor taught me when assembling parts that have lots of bolts is to use locator pins to guide the parts together. He had a large selection of home made pins of different diameters. He cut the heads off of the bolts and then cut a slot in the end for a screwdriver. On oil pan, he would use at least four pins to locate and hold the pan and gasket in place while he started the bolts. This was especially useful when attaching a transmission to an engine after replacing the clutch.

[@actionman862]

Yes! I had to discover that myself 30 years ago. NO internet or KZbin.

[@peterfallert4994]

My heart was in my mouth when unbolted the engine from the stand and hung on one bolt! YIKES!!

[@haydenc2742]

Yeah...when it flexed I was like "oooh" (cringe face) Worked out well though!

[@RobertFay]

*-Why he didn't use his jack and a piece of wood to hold up the back end?*

[@jeffh5664]

Clean, clean again, then clean some more! You can never be too clean when assembling an engine. Great job Matt! 👌

[@GreeceUranusPutin]

And yet, when you open one up it's always filthy.

[@voltairegoethe]

never was a more confident "I think this goes this way" stated.

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

Matt, I really hate to mention this, but the mismatch paint color between the block and oil pan is sure to cost you major points at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Sorry to break the news to you this way. 🤣 Love watching you struggle!

[@corydriver7634]

Unfortunate for sure.

[@billroberts3864]

Matt, your desire to have surfaces very clean is the way to properly reassemble engines. You are so patient and a great teacher with easy to understand video angles. Blessings to you, Matt.

[@cember01]

If I built an engine, I'd probably last about 10 hours before shredding its self. 😜

[@TheRyan668]

I love the attention to detail and you have no fear of jumping in and taking on any task. I would have loved to have 10 guys like you to work with back in the day

[@larrycosby2010]

Matt, an easier way to torque mains & rods is to turn the block sideways. Then you don't have to hold the engine stand while you pull the torque wrench. Same on the head bolts.

[@MikeBaxterABC]

great tip!!

[@65BAJA]

The "nerd stuff" of engine building. Love it. Great video.

[@esunday]

Talking about perishable skills, I'm a retired brain Dr, and I prefer watching your lovely videos and problem solving!

[@wbix2298]

A Dr has to make ALL the repairs while the engine is running!!!

[@madisonian50]

Although doctors and Matt both work with the as-is condition.

[@connahjones8178]

‘If one of these broke off, i would take up a new hobby’ 😂😂

[@dafalzonAUS]

Never knew fisting was a thing, in cleaning engine blocks😂

[@Narwaro]

I was looking for this comment 😂

[@jcadult101]

"I'd pitch it across the room" is more likely

[@petesmith8000]

I have a suspicion that you will never see the inside of the engine again.. LOL - Great job Matt

[@rubioatl7883]

The only problem I have whit your channel is that you makes us wait so long for a video 😂😂😂can’t wait to see this excavator finish grea job btw

[@MikeBaxterABC]

But it's well worth waiting for .. never a disappointment!! :)

[@cember01]

Two things that help (a little) are the "Shorts" videos on his YT page, and his Instagram account. Shorts don't get used much, but every now and then something pops up. Instagram has a little more. They're just single pics, but help a lot to give an idea of progress since last video.

[@SJ_999]

That’s why I try not to watch these videos until the final product is almost done. Like how I just started binge watching these last week

[@FarmCraft101]

You know you can make your own orings with a oring set? Nice to have that option when you are in a pinch. You are doing a better job on this rebuild than I would have! 😂

[@PacificNorthwestHillbilly]

It's the principle of it, the engine seal kit should have it all! Keep up the great work over there!

[@eloleddie]

I Just finished watching you starting to work on the trail through your property! What a beautiful property you own! And as you get used to your caterpillar, and it to you, I am very confident that all will get together the way you want it. Take your time to enjoy improving your property to enjoy its beauty and peace!

[@magvegas]

AINT NO WAY, Pacific Northwest Hillbilly AND FarmCraft101 POSTING ON THE SAME DAY ????????????????? I NEED TO GO BUY A LOTTERY TICKET

[@jcadult101]

Marty T is splitting a tractor, too!

[@ronaldheit196]

Matt, I may have said this already but. As a Veteran Coast Guard Aviation Machinist Mate I'd fly in any airplane you rebuilt the engine. There's absolutely no doubt that if you'd gone to a Aviation mechanic school like Embry-Riddle you'd have graduated top of your class. Schools of that caliber including the Coast Guard Aviation Machinist Mate A school I attended demand a level of attention to details you achieve. You pay attention to even the smallest detail and admit it when you make a mistake and you go back and remedy the problem. Thanks for the entertainment.

[@user-se7vt5ow4e]

The best thing I have found for cleaning aluminum is phosphoric acid, it is usually the main ingredient in mag cleaner. Great job.

[@jefflary5457]

I bet that engine never had that kind of care when it was being built . You are doing a fantastic job. Love to watch your channel. Great work JeffinMaine

[@MikeBaxterABC]

It's going to outlive its owner!! .. Imagine if it went up for auction and this video series was required reading to bid!! It could sell for the price of a new machine!!!!

[@thomastaylor298]

You took more care rebuilding this engine than they did when it was originally assembled. Great video I am learning a lot. You would make a awesome teacher.

[@JB-yi9sp]

DYI tip... A roll of butcher paper kept at the back of the bench makes a handy pull out 'clean' surface for gasket dressing or taking apart debris sensitive parts. Or just keep pulling from the endless pile of amazon boxes for fresh cardboard!

[@raymondwaterman6520]

Matt, some mighty fine "surgery" there sir! Thanks for taking us along.

[@danielyoder5928]

Matt, when installing pistons engine oil is your friend. I have rebuilt numerous engines, from single cylinders up to big V-8s, I always dunked the piston in engine oil then put on the ring compressor. Makes them slide in easy and lubricates the upper cylinder on start up. As for break in oil use whatever the equipment mfr. calls for. Do not use any additives to it. The rings need to seat into the cylinders and friction is necessary to get that process started.

[@haydenc2742]

Yeah...regular dino oil (the cheap stuff actually) for the first few hundred miles/dozen hours Then switch over to your permanent expensive synthetic stuff Just make sure you use quality filters to catch all the initial "break in" metal flakes that will inevitably wear off the first few times the engine heat cycles

[@cember01]

I remember my big brother taught me that after I'd fixed my blown head gasket. Said go get the cheapest oil you can buy and run that at first. To flush everything out. Then change it again to the normal stuff. Also had to drive around for half a day with it blowing steam like a volcano while it harmlessly boiled off all the water that'd gone into the muffler/tailpipe.

[@OBD01]

Enjoy watching this come together. I was already a fan of Area Diesel Services but liked watching them rebuild your pump. Thanks for bringing us along. Give Charlie dog pets for me

[@davidbarr1579]

Man that engine block is a work of art, especially those cylinder bores!!!

[@allanrichards3752]

I really enjoy your videos and the way you work. Maybe out of interest for you I did a small project on the clamping force of bolts whilst doing my Mech Eng degree. To cut to the chase I used a 1/2" UNC bolt and two metal plates, one tapped for the bolt and one clearance. Between the plates was a 1/8" soft copper washer. The clamping force of the bolt was measured by the crush on the copper washer. Three conditions were tried, dry, thread only oiled and tread and under the head of the bolt oiled. Three oils were tried thin sewing machine oil, 20/50 engine oil and EP90 gear oil. Predicably the greatest clamping force was the oiling of the threads and bolt head with EP 90 oil. The whole thing was repeated with a washer under the bolt head and that increased the clamping force significantly. Very few manuals adequately specify the conditions for torquing the bolt but if you are going near the yield point of the bolt it is important.

[@eloleddie]

Matt, I am more than positive that if anyone would ask you anytime of the day or night to spell forward or backward the word PATIENCE you would pass the test, without fail within a split second of the request! It is just a tremendous pleasure to watch you work without complaints, just simply getting the work done and it is done simply when it is done. Just a very peaceful atmosphere that you create, with no expletives, etc. Congratulations! And we are waiting, almost as patiently, for the completion of the repair and rebuild of this peace of equipment and wish you much pleasure in operating it, in due time!

[@actionman862]

Get yourself a 'Speed Brace". Makes spinning bolts in and out a breeze and you get feedback on the torque required so you can catch problems before they happen. Love your work.

[@tujuprojects]

It must be rewarding to assemble it compared the dirty disassembly.

[@codysp]

A simple hack for keeping many different sized cover bolts is a piece of cardboard with the part roughly traced. Then the corresponding bolts get placed in order. It's saved my bacon a few times. Nice work by the way!

[@lloydprunier4415]

I'm sure it's clean enough in the cylinders, but from my very first days of engine builds I was told that hot soapy water was the best to clean the cylinders. You have to get some light oil on them right away or you'll get flash rust. I'm pretty sure that means they are clean of any old oil or packaging lube. Everything is looking great! Sure wish we would've had cell phones with cameras and the internet when I was doing this stuff. In my diesel engines Detroit Diesels I just used shell Rotella and changed it after the first few hours. My shrimp boat engines ran for years with no problems from lubrication.

[@lifeafterourloss]

Dad and I enjoy watching you tackle these the complicated components!

[@PacificNorthwestHillbilly]

Thanks Aaron!

[@vincenthalas7055]

Hello Matt. I am an old retired Scottish pen pusher. Here's my take, for what it's worth. You got courage, young fellow. That's a complex machine you took apart. However, I think you deserve success for your courage. I hope, minor setbacks aside, that the whole project gives you real joy and many many years of use.

[@cousinit1844]

👍👍👍👍👍👍 as a diy daydreamer you give me hope, (maybe I’ll do something like this someday) as far as the tools and work conditions(like in the basement of a barn or backyard under a tarp) the harbor freight tools( that’s all what a lot of us diy’ers can afford), in the knowledge and skill department you are impressive, way above me , like you willingness to try stuff and to show and redo the mistakes, love the videos just the way you are doing them, honest straight forward.

[@pwadave8767]

Matt, tech tip, never use your torque wrenches to untorque your bolts. Use a breaker bar. Throws wrench out of cal. Love watching, great vids!

[@fredcarlson5775]

As a retired mechanic I use to put the connecting rod bolts in then put rubber fuel line over them as you install the pistons in the block so they don't scratch the crank and always put the crank in first

[@MikeBaxterABC]

This is a great tip I've done that on chevy small blocks. BUT it does NOT apply to this engine, the connecting rod bolts go in from the bottom, the rods them self are drilling tapped. There are no connecting rod nuts :) 28:40 20:50

[@clintkoelbl6481]

Matt, don't feel bad about forgeting to order a replacement part (like your harmonic balancer) when doing a rebuild. I'm willing to bet that any mechanic on this channel (myself included) has done it at least once. That stuff happens. I can't wait to see your engine all back together and be fired up for the first time.

[@bobsch-gd6ze]

Look forward to the next installation Matt

[@staconcrete2140]

Hell ya. This is my favorite series on KZbin 😊

[@joeromanak8797]

Another exercise in precision. I have no doubt she’ll tick like a Swiss watch. You gave us a long video and still left us wanting more so you’re doing it right. I’ll celebrate right along with you when she takes off and hums! 🥸👍👀🔧🔨✅❗️

[@hudsonvalleyrailandriverandair]

Pro tip, use denatured alcohol for cleaning, cheaper than parts cleaners

[@daleolson3506]

Ether works good also

[@a0cdhd]

Yair, denatured alcohol is bipolar too so it also helps to remove water from the hard to get to bits.

[@mullerandre95]

Re the ring markings the dimple faces to the top or if it has a bevel on the inside it also faces the top. If it has a step on the 2nd/3rd ring in most cases that faces down, except on the. Acl rings we got in South Africa in the 1990's. Just make sure about the rings again. BTW I like to use aresol chain lube for assembly, stuff sticks and works a treat!

[@danielerickson446]

The hardness of a rubber material is measured by the Shore Method for determining Durometer. Hard rubber materials would be used in high temperature application. Softer materials are used for better sealing in cooler application. The should be a Shore number on the packaging of "O" rings and rubber gaskets. Hope this helps!

[@travelingtracer]

Way back in my misspent youth I rebuilt two lawn mower engines, two motorcycle engines (2 and 4 cylinder), and two gas car engines, both straight sixes. I got better with each project but never achieved the level of detail you do. I am pretty sure your rebuild is better than when it left the factory. Thanks for all you do - I’m probably never going to tear into another engine but it is fascinating watching your projects. Greetings from Snohomish WA. 😉

[@jimoakley4944]

Love all your videos. I just had to rebuild a hydrogear motor on a Snapper mower and don't you hate when they send you the rebuild kit with 15 o-rings that you have to figure out which one goes where. Also those little green grinder pads from Harbor Freight are great for removing gaskets and silicone from aluminum parts.

[@joepiker]

Very good job! Nice little engine. I ran a EX100 for several years, back in the early 1990s, doing forestry work. Also its sister, the JD490. Very solid and capable machines for their size.I can't remember ever breaking anything! I liked the pilot control feel better than todays electric/hydraulic..and easier to fix. Also you have no DPF or DEF! Good luck with your machine, and thanks for the excellent videos!

[@MikeBaxterABC]

One job I had many years ago, I fit and adjusted babett bearings the same as this but each bearing block was the size of an large SUV :) It was for the steam turbine for a popular Electric Steam Generating Facility in my area :) I love it how when it comes to high horsepower bearings, nothing works like 200 Year Old technology!! I have several giant 'coins' of old Babbett, with a image of Isaac Babbitt himself cast into the face of the coin.

[@dm55]

I don't think a formula 1 engine is built with as much attention and care. 😀👍

[@JB-yi9sp]

I am pretty sure I might want to punch a formula one engine builder after 5 minutes of them telling us how great they are. And never mention if something don't fit they have to call for help!

[@matthewq4b]

Great start to the end of the week a new PNH vid..

[@roberthocking9138]

Great job, that injector pump is massive compared to the engine size. Cheers

[@rogerworkman5813]

Super great job!! Thank you for your videos. Roger

[@neiltheplayer]

just use 15-40 change after 10 hrs. Thanks for posting this. It's a pleasure to watch.

[@adrianstanton2652]

Diesel grade. With zinc or additives. Time is correct. Check for the glitter.

[@Mr_Springy]

Immense work really appreciate you taking the time to film, edit and share.

[@RobertFay]

*- What a great rebuild video, Matt.* *- Too scary for me.* *- I would be lost trying to remember what comes first and which bolts or screws go where.* *- { apologies for all my attempts to help with the poorly worded nit-picky comments below }*

[@Continental1997]

Great Work Matt. So nice to see all your helpers. I really like your quality control Green marking system.

[@jackmanatee3162]

I've just finished binge watching the Cat 4D and now the EX120 videos. Looking forward to more PNWH. Great stuff Matt.

[@johndebrular979]

I didn't know that you used a cheat sheet. I just thought that you had a incredible memory & knew where everything went.

[@toddihnken-e1e]

beautiful work! I have a 4BT you can do next

[@chrisfillios3308]

Matt your doing a great job credit is due

[@jjcohrs3046]

Enjoy ur vids, ur raw DIY. Like most of us working in our garages or barns. Great work

[@alansmith7034]

Thanks Matt for all your video, you are amazing. I myself own a small farm and recently just picked up a Hitachi EX100-3 with a ton of hours on it. Converted it to all Hydraulic with the kit, now looking at fixing her up over the next few years. Your video's on this are and will help with a lot of things I will be working on. Thank you for your great work, great video's and precise information . Be safe and looking forward to your video's.

[@hereintheuk2991]

Fantastic content, keep the videos coming. Very impressed with your knowledge and how you do things…… Go on repaint the oil pan you know you want too… it will always bug you otherwise….lol…. UK

[@catman19]

For break in oil use whatever your gonna run it on, i use 15w40 rotella in everything

[@ohcrapwhatsnext]

I applaud you for taking on this task...I am fixed to the vid completely. Looking forward to the start up..

[@mf35xx]

Have one of these machines only person on yt to have such indepth info on these. I can't wait to get a garage to work in and *attempt* some of these jobs. Look forward to every vid.

[@nickez281]

I sit and enjoy your videos. You are so careful with everything, it will be better than the original factory. Very good video and very good job 👍

[@DragonFlame0909]

thank you for unother good video.. greetings from Estonia .. cant wait for next one .. great job

[@paulsilva3346]

57:45, that camshaft end plug at the back of the motor, you should use Form A Gasket number 2 on the edges before you hammer it into place... Please don't ask me how I know😮 1:04:57 you did just that...

[@TheRyan668]

Love this channel btw. By now I’m sure you are aware that the rear seal sleeve you left is worn and is not matched to the new seal you bought. The shinny rings on that sleeve are the wear marks. I hope it doesn’t leak on you. Despite that you are doing great work I’ve seen pros do only 1/16 the amount detail you are doing. Great job

[@Michael_CS615]

Just waiting for the run and the job finished to see the machine in action.

[@nightsaber2272]

Cast iron. No matter how many times you wipe it clean it always leave some on towel)

[@pvillehick67]

Be very careful to avoid hitting the spray tubes with the rods when you install the piston and rod assemblies. In frame overhaul, we install the spray tubes last.

[@Vic-td7hp]

Once the main caps are tightened, the bearing clearance is set. Torquing streches the bolt, but does not change clearance.

[@leeradford76]

Like this kind of video very interesting

[@thaddeustroyer]

Hey PNH, if you think about it, by the time you're done, you bought a pre assembled excavator kit that you disassembled and then reassembled. Now that you've shown me these kits are available on the open market, I may go pick one up myself. Thanks!😊

[@regpettinger2978]

If I remember right, to get oil pressure without running the motor, we took the distributor shaft out of the distributor and put a drill on it, stuck it back in the hole in the block where the distributor went to power the oil pump and we had oil pressure. Not sure if you can do that with this engine. Great video, Matt.

[@markamcampbell5795]

When you put the pistons in bring the crank to bottom dead center. Makes it easier to tighten. Extensions throw off torque.

[@danielpullum1907]

Yea Matties back.1!!!! Regarding the rod bolts, 5 to a bag is a perfect "marketing" plan...... Well Done!!!!!!

[@richardott643]

Nice work. This thing will outlast most of us watching. Don’t worry about all the experts and their comments. 👍

[@ramzanali5530]

Great job Matt

[@jeffreychreston7604]

Love watching your channel. At times I think your brilliant with your ability to take on intricate, and complex tasks you admit too never having done before. Then in the next moment you show complete lack of common sense or inability to research tasks prior to taking them on. My wife loves watching me talk to and yell at my iPad when you frustrate me with your continued nonsensical antic's... Keep the great entertsinment coming😊😊😊

[@maxieboy4]

Put a straight weight oil like 30 w . Do not use synthetic oil.The rings won’t seat using synthetic oil. The load and unload engine off and on for about 4 to5 hours. The rings will seat and linercrosshatching will remain.Thechange to synthetic oil. You will be good to go.

[@mrdooza9935]

Looking good Matt

[@charleswelch249]

You are really working hard after working all day at work. I can't wait how much your accomplishing in a short time on a machine that someone else discarded. You are going to have a good excavator soon at that pace. Don't burn out and don't forget to take a break when things are pushing back on you. I've been like you for years. Taking a break sometime you can get more done with a fresh start after a cup of coffee 😁. I'm really enjoying watching you bring that machine back to life in great condition. Take care and see your next video.

[@Marco-ip5cw]

man i love every video you post i cant wait to see the next part and whatever the next project you might get up to personally i suspect a skisteer is probably in order

[@jimprescott8423]

Hello Matt, from Cambridgeshire, England, good work mate!!

[@renem6441]

That engine is going to be better than new!! Great job!! Thanks for sharing

[@Metallica4Life92]

your videos always calm me down after a long day at work. Thank you:)

[@joelx77]

Maybe more explanation of what you are doing for us newbs?

[@johanj81]

break in oil is often just a lesser quality oil. so don´t worry to much about it. put in regular oil and replace it ahead of time for the first two oilchanges

[@jamesdearman814]

engine looking good - meticulous work - should purr like a kitten.

[@mattdomenic4814]

Well built should run like new! Awesome channel.

[@stoddern]

A good trick for torqueing additional degrees i learned from Adept Ape is to mark the degrees on the outside of the socket with 2 lines then with the socket on the bolt make a mark on the part for a stationary reference, now torque from one line o the socket to the other. I didn't want to use a paint marker on my sockets so I use painters or masking tape and a Sharpe.

[@simonhall886]

Not sure if anyone watches the humble mechanic, he swears by using coffee filters for cleaning. I have not tried it myself, but thought it a mention...

[@bajaDave]

Good job Matt, but Continuing to turn the rod bolts after the torque wrench has clicked is a no-no. That damages the calibration of the wrench. Torque the bolts, then use a breaker bar to turn the additional 45 degrees.

[@Boraxo]

Looking good. 👍 But if I was nit pickin, it would be your color choice. Finding small leaks on a black engine is a pita.

[@BWTIII]

Hat's off Matt, and thanks for letting me watch.

[@JoeAroner-SIWAYTV]

“.999 Repeating Sure” 🔥🔥🔥 I’m totally stealing this line. It’s a 🎤 dropper for sure.