1989 240sx: Is Mechanic giving me false problems to pad his pockets?

[Jkleisley]

I used the search feature and even manually looked through 20+ pages trying to find something useful..if I missed it I apologize.

I have a 5 speed 1989 240sx with a bad engine. I recently purchased another 1989 240sx, but this one is an automatic. I delivered both to a mechanic, the plan is to swap the good motor from the auto into the 5speed body. They both have Ka24e engines and they are both the same year and model. I was called by the mechanic today and told that the auto engine won't fit the manual transmission and that he has to instal a different crankshaft. He also recommended I replace the clutch and timing chain since it will be at no labor cost. This 500 dollar swap is now turning into a 1500 dollar project. I asked if the auto transmission could be swapped and the mechanic claims that this would be far more expensive then the crankshaft and other parts. Crankshaft: 325.00 Cluth: 225.00Timing Chain: no quoteSwap: 500.00 With labor and without tax He said around 1425.00I have limited knowledge of the differences between these transmissions, but I was under the impression that the engines were basically the same. I would really appreciate any thoughts on this situation.

[redtop91]

What is the problem he is even trying to correct?

[Jkleisley]

He said that he was ordering a pilot bushing and was inspecting the clutch and realized that the engine won't line up with the manual transmission. I want to trust him, but it just seemed kind of odd. I thought the only difference between the transmission's was in fact the transmission's and not engine bottom end components. The engine does have 212,000 miles so I think replacing the crank and bearings, etc will improve the life of the engine. I even asked if he thought we should do some head work and he claimed that if its not broke we shouldn't try to fix it.

[redtop91]

I'm pretty certain the transmission will mate up to the block. They are the same motors. At worst maybe changing the bellhousing. He's putting the engine from the auto in the 5 speed right?

[Jkleisley]

Yep, Thats it. The automatic 240 is wrecked and has a salvage title so I thought it best to put that engine into the 5 speed 240(the body is in really good shape) I guess it could be possible that the engine in the auto is a newer one that was swapped in or something.. I have no history on it, but it is definately a SOHC Ka24e. I guess in the long run this will cause the engine to run longer anyway, but im curious as to whether its really necessary or if im being scammed.

[redtop91]

No way the crankshaft has to be changed. The clutch price is total BS too. No OEM clutch costs that much. I'm going to call a scam. Get a second opinion.

[Jkleisley]

Thx for your help, I hope a couple other people give me their opinion too, cause this really does seem false to me. Especially since you can make an auto into a manual using the existing transmission... Plus I don't see why nissan would make ka24e engines with different size cranks but use the same engine code. I wonder if theres any kind of action I can take if this does turn out to be a scam. The guy is already working on it, and I really had no choice but to agree or to go there and have both cars and the shortblock towed back to my house. I can't quote but he said the problem was with the number of harmonic something or another, one engine had two and one had three...and these have something to do with the crank and thats why he had to change it. It all sounded legit, especially when your not a mechanic yourself.

[vancouverbc]

These old cars only make sense if you do the repairs yourself. Mechanics have to charge a lot to make a living. There is about a 50 percent markup on parts when mechanic does it. People have an aversion to paying for labour so mechanics hide some of the labour in parts price.

[driftingmy240sx]

These old cars only make sense if you do the repairs yourself. Mechanics have to charge a lot to make a living. There is about a 50 percent markup on parts when mechanic does it. People have an aversion to paying for labour so mechanics hide some of the labour in parts price.

i am a nissan master and am rather insulted by this comment.

however the crankshafts are the same in all ka24e's. the difference would be you need to use the manual flywheel not the auto's flex plate and install a pilot bushing for a manual trans(i believe the bushings are different between a/t and m/t). for the price on the clutch you could get a mildly upgraded aftermarket one. not knowing the history of the "new" engine i would put a water pump on it but not a timing chain.

i agree you sound like you being a$$ raped.

[vancouverbc]

i am a nissan master and am rather insulted by this comment.

however the crankshafts are the same in all ka24e's. the difference would be you need to use the manual flywheel not the auto's flex plate and install a pilot bushing for a manual trans(i believe the bushings are different between a/t and m/t). for the price on the clutch you could get a mildly upgraded aftermarket one. not knowing the history of the "new" engine i would put a water pump on it but not a timing chain.

i agree you sound like you being a$$ raped.

Labour , overhead, etc is hidden in the markup of parts. Nothing wrong with that. Mechanics are not minimum wage workers. This is standard practice in any industry that offers labour/parts to the public.

[ttinfinitiM30]

the manufacturer dose not want to make the same engines with two different crankshafts its jus not economical for them to do that, one engine if not more will fit both trannys auto or manual. id say that ur mechanic jus wants more money for doing the swap. now heres the problem. he told you something that is probey not true to try and get more money. hes gonna want to stand by that statement true or not, you should go and ask to see the differences and take some pictures if you dont know what ur looking at and post them on here im sure theres someone who knows what to look for. the only diff i could think is if one is dual overhead an one single but, even that shouldnt make a difference.

[Jkleisley]

Thx for all the help guys. Ya know I don't even have a problem with the price or the fact that they've had my car for going on a month. I've been tooling around in an 89 plmouth colt, and I just want my 240 back.. The only concern I have is if this guy is actually replacing something of just making up things. He said he found the problem when he was going to replace the pilot bushing and he noticed that something won't line up or fit correctly. Maybe he just gave me bad info on what hes actually doing. I removed the head and the cracked rad. on the old engine so I can appreciate what a pain in the *** it can be to do this type of work. This motor is only meant to be a temp until I can get a lower mile SR or Ka24de, I just don't want to assume that the crank and other stuff is replaced and will give me more engine life and then 3 months down the road have the thing die on me. I'll try to get some pics up, and i'll expect a lot of answers from this guy once hes done.

[LayNLow240]

No, the engine is the same no matter what transmission is on it. I had just recently swapped my engine for one that came from an auto trans and you do have to take the at pilot bushing out to get the man trans pilot bushing in, and to get the man trans mated to the eng. He is bsing you. Ill bet if you had that done, he wouldnt replace the crank and just say he did for the money on it, all profit. Take it somewhere else or get him to do it the right way without charging an arm and a leg.

[redtop91]

I wonder if theres any kind of action I can take if this does turn out to be a scam. The guy is already working on it, and I really had no choice but to agree or to go there and have both cars and the shortblock towed back to my house.

There's definitely legal action you can take against him but if you show him the part numbers for the auto and manual crankshaft are the same he should realize that he fvcked up and cut the price.

[ShaunakaRichard]

It just sounds like he's trying to get more money out of ya. Confront the man and see what he says. Its plain and simple. Both auto and manual motors are the same. As stated before all you would need is a manual pilot bushing, then swap flywheel over from other engine and put everything back together. Price on the clutch is definitely high for an oem clutch, but doesn't hurt to replace while everything is out especially if it does have quiet a few miles on it. If he tries messin' with ya even more all it takes is one call the Better Business Bureau and your local police department, because if he is knowingly screwing you its illegal. Just my 2 cents.