more than a head gasket

[nismojunkie]

i bought a 93 240sx with a blown headgasket and finaly got the head off today, but there is more then just a blown headgasket. there is water in the #4 cylinder and there was water in the #3 cylinder. my dad says i need to take the whole thing apart to clean it and check everything else, so does anyone have any opinions or ideas on how i should go about doing this, and what tools i will need to take out valves and pistons and whatever else requires a special tool. and what is left of the engine is still in the car, woudl it make it easier if i pulled it out? thanks in advance.

[TheOne]

usually when you have a blown head gasket......water can go down the cylinders.......check the oil, if its wattery then yes, it needs to be rebuilt. to be rebuilt, or check the piston rings, then yes you have to pull the engine out. there isn't really a required special tool as you can get everyfin off autozone or other shops, a cherry picker(engine lifter), engine stand. oh yeah and a allen like socket i think 10mm or so, for the head bolts.btw the gasket set usually goes for $100+. for the whole engine.

[deviousKA]

Thoroughly check the deck surfaces of the block and the head for warpage using a good straight edge in multiple directions. Also pay close attention and look for any possbile "ditching" between any of the the deck passages and between cylinders. Depending on how long the cylinders have been sitting with coolant in them, you can possibly get away with a full oil change and cleaning of the cylinders combined with a new headgasket. This chance is slim, its in your best interest to pull the block and put it on a stand and go from there.

[nismojunkie]

well, i already drained the oil and disposed of it, but it smelled horrible. very bad burnt smell, dont remember if it was watery or not. the head bolts are a 10mm allen wrench. i have decided to pull out the motor and try to make a high comp. setup using the ka-e pistons, i have been wanting to try this for a while, and now i have a good chance. i have started to price some internal parts to build it with, will it be worth it to get new aftermarket valvesprings, valves, rods, bigger injectors?