Diploma in Vintage Two-Stroke and Four-Stroke Engines: Rebuilding and Tuning
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in rebuilding and tuning vintage two-stroke and four-stroke engines: 8 modules covering period engine types, dismantling and metrology, cylinders and pistons, crankshafts and bearings, cylinder heads and valve gear, fuel, ignition and lubrication, and running-in and dyno testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Vintage Two-Stroke and Four-Stroke Engines: Rebuilding and Tuning — studying from Ireland
Ireland has an active heritage vehicle and classic machinery community, supported by clubs, restoration workshops and specialist suppliers serving classic cars, motorcycles and agricultural equipment. Engineering skills in this area combine historical knowledge with modern techniques in fabrication, materials and diagnostics. Restoration work is often linked to heritage conservation and museum collections, and classic vehicles operate under national roadworthiness and vehicle registration rules. Professional bodies and enthusiast organisations help maintain standards and knowledge across the sector.
Fees for Ireland: €895 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Is there a recognised professional body in Ireland for classic vehicle restoration?
Classic vehicle restoration in Ireland is largely a craft and hobby sector, supported by enthusiast clubs and heritage bodies rather than a regulated professional title. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer membership or formal recognition. Check the requirements of any club or body you wish to join.
Would Irish restoration businesses or employers value this qualification?
Restoration businesses in Ireland often rely on hands-on skill, reputation and portfolio work. A private online qualification may add to your CV, but employers decide for themselves whether it is relevant. Your final project can help show your capability, though there is no guarantee of any outcome.
Can I study this part-time while keeping my current commitments?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home around existing commitments. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course, so plan your schedule accordingly. Fees can be paid in instalments, and each student has an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify the types of vintage engine.
Apply metrology to diagnose the condition of an engine.
Rebuild cylinders, pistons and ports.
Repair crankshafts, connecting rods and bearings.
Rebuild cylinder heads and valve gear.
Adjust fuel, ignition and lubrication systems.
Test and run in rebuilt engines.
Who it's for
- Engine rebuilders
- Machine shop technicians
- Historic vehicle restorers
- Test bench technicians
- Classic racing engine builders
- Classic mechanics workshop managers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into classic vehicle restoration
What you'll work with
- ISO 286-1 (ISO code system for tolerances on linear sizes)
- ISO 1101 (geometrical tolerancing of form, orientation, location and run-out)
- EN 228 (specification for automotive petrol)
- FIVA Turin Charter (principles for the preservation of historic vehicles)
- FIVA Technical Code (technical classification of historic vehicles)
- SAE J1349 (engine power test code)
- Fusion 360
- SolidWorks
- Microsoft Excel
- SuperFlow WinDyn
8 modules
1.1Deflector-piston two-stroke engines1.2Two-strokes with Schnürle loop scavenging1.3Side-valve four-strokes1.4OHV pushrod engines1.5Period overhead camshafts1.6Motorcycle, car and stationary engines1.7Period materials and manufacturing1.8Original tolerances and fits1.9Historical technical documentation1.10Workshop: identifying engine types
2.1Orderly dismantling and marking2.2Chemical and ultrasonic cleaning2.3Dye penetrant inspection2.4Micrometers, bore gauges and feeler gauges2.5Measuring ovality and taper2.6Measuring crankshafts and main bearings2.7Piston and ring clearances2.8Recording measurements2.9Deciding on the rebuild2.10Practical: full metrology of a single-cylinder engine
3.1Reboring and honing cylinders3.2Cylinder sleeving3.3Oversize and custom-made pistons3.4Period and modern piston rings3.5Repairing cooling fins3.6Two-stroke ports and their profiling3.7Thread repair3.8Surface flatness3.9Gaskets and sealing3.10Laboratory: honing a cast iron cylinder
4.1Built-up two-stroke crankshafts4.2Aligning and pressing crankpins4.3Big-end roller bearings4.4White metal bearings4.5Babbitt re-metalling4.6Period connecting rods and their inspection4.7Static and dynamic balancing4.8Flywheels4.9Final assembly4.10Practical: aligning a built-up crankshaft
5.1Cutting valve seats5.2Guides and seals5.3Valve springs and their testing5.4Camshafts and tappets5.5Gear and chain-driven timing5.6Valve clearance adjustment5.7Rotary valve timing on two-strokes5.8Compression and compression ratio5.9Adapting to unleaded petrol5.10Workshop: rebuilding a side-valve cylinder head
6.1Period carburettors6.2Mixture adjustment6.3Magnetos and flywheel magnetos6.4Ignition advance6.5Spark plugs and heat ranges6.6Premix and pump lubrication6.7Period oil pumps6.8Suitable oils for old engines6.9Filtration and cleaning6.10Practical: timing a magneto
7.1Assembly to torque settings7.2First start-up7.3Running-in procedure7.4Engine test bench7.5Compression and leak-down testing7.6Power and torque measurement7.7Exhaust gas and spark plug analysis7.8Fine-tuning carburation7.9Noise diagnosis7.10Laboratory: dyno test of a rebuilt engine
8.1Selection of the engine8.2Historical technical research8.3Dismantling and metrology8.4Rebuild plan8.5Machining and repairs8.6Assembly and adjustment8.7Dyno testing8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Microsoft Excel and SuperFlow WinDyn, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for the metrology and rebuilding of vintage engines, re-metalling white metal bearings and dyno testing rebuilt engines. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: ISO 286-1, ISO 1101, EN 228, FIVA Turin Charter, FIVA Technical Code, SAE J1349.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Microsoft Excel and SuperFlow WinDyn, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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