Could someone quickly explain the difference between top end and bottom end when it comes to engine rebuilds. I have always thought bottom end was basically every thing under the tin ware in the crankcase and top end was fan shroud, dizzy, fuel pump and alternator etc. Got confused tonight reading the thread about a crack in the cylinder head and it mentioned something about altering top end could have an effect on bottom end
Tinware and suchlike is "the outside" . Think of a naked engine. The top end is the cylinder heads, rockers and valves, although you might include pistons as well. The "bottom" is the crankshaft end - rod bearings/"big ends". The point being made re fixing the cylinder heads is that if you've got crank bearings on their last legs, the sheer raw power - something we're all familiar with - of fixed cylinder heads and good compression might just finish them off.
