Grandson working with me

[launieg]

So, my wife's 13 year old grandson is coming for a few days. To keep us busy, I thought I would pull out the spare FI engine and the spare gearbox. So what can we do that is productive, towards a "rebuilt" engine and/or box? In the long term I want to do some engine upgrades and swap it for the current running engine - but not overly drastic stuff, certainly avoiding lower engine overhaul other than seals. For three days part-time work with him, do we simply pull it apart and clean it up or do we do some gasket replacement, etc? What are your ideas? He is coming in two weeks, and maybe I need to line up some parts. Any suggestions are appreciated. It will be a learning experience for him, as well as some fun (he has shown real interest).

[TX82FIAT]

You mentioned part time work for three days. I'm sure he is a fine young man. I have four of my own with the youngest at 15. Kids are use to immediate results these days as they build a city in a video game in less than an hour. Pulling the engine apart and cleaning it up to identify what you may need would be a good teaching start. You can order parts later. Not sure how tuned in the young man is to the inner working of a combustion engine. A lot to discussion over three days to build on understanding from previous discussions. Does he understand the otto cycle? Has he worked on an engine before? You may do more talking then wrenching.... but, you can really have a mechanical impact on this kid if he has not already had the experience. I can't even begin to tell you the number of grown men I know that have no real clue how and engine works. Stick to the basics while tearing down and teaching. If you are really lucky he will enjoy it and want to come back again to help build the engine.

[launieg]

Good advice. I agree. Thanks for this. I'll be sure to post a report of how it went!