Assembling a KA! (pics: 56k get with the times)

[fiznat]

Got the motor back from the machine shop today, ready for assembly! I'll let the pics do most of the talking, but this is an OEM rebuild KA that I'll be using in my (new) daily driver S14. Thought you guys might enjoy seeing a few steps along the way.

Parts:



(that red thing on the S13 isnt a sticker, its a magnet-- and its not mine )





Rings put on:



Compressing the rings:



Pistons in the bores:





Head on:



Thats all the pics for today, but we got the whole longblock pretty much finished. Both cams, all the timing components, etc. Tomorrow all the covers are going on, along with clutch stuff/accessories/manifolds/etc. The plan is to have everything in and running before the end of the week.

[DrJuice164]

OEM rods, here we go again

[nismofly]

iono fiz...you think those rods will hold that montrous 125 rwhp?

by the way, go into the sticky, the stock rods parts...have you seen your post on the first page of Ivan's thread about overboosting and making well over 500 rwhp on stock rods? if only you knew

i cant wait until im able to assemble an engine this quick, i got lots to learn

[pr240sx]

What type of rings do are you using?

[fiznat]

Those are OEM-replacement rings by Hastings. Got em through my machine shop.

[wild_maxx]

did you check the ring end gap? They may be factory replacement rings but you should still check the end gap.

The motor looks great though. Why did you put the pistons in first before the crank and gurdle? I don't see a problem with it, just wonder if that is a better way to do it.

Are both of the compression rings cast rings or one chromoly and one cast?

[crzycav86]

So how have all the bearings been checked for proper tolerance and clearance?

My friend built his motor with the help of his friend(automotive machinist) and he said there's a lot more than just bolting it all together. Did the rebuild kit come ready to be bolted together?

[hannibal]

i cant wait until im able to assemble an engine this quick, i got lots to learn

Looking good Fiz...

[mirra32]

MORE PICS!!!!MORE PICS!!!!!Keep up the good work....i would love to rebuild my motor....!!!

[emperor_lunchbox]

nice work.

p.s. I think the magnet is kinda cool.

[1WheelWonder]

Good luck with this one Fiz.

[superDorifto]

nice work.

p.s. I think the magnet is kinda cool.

thats the magnet i had on my red car before we disected it. if anyone else thinks the magnet is cool let me know, i can borrow some more from the various hospitals i have the priviledge of working in...its meant to be a fall risk warning...they go outside of old person's room in the hospital to let the staff know that they "fall down, go boom" a lot.

[Rusted_PS13]

the magnet is pretty wicked...

[emperor_lunchbox]

what do you mean "borrow"?And if that borrow means you can get some, Im in.

[superDorifto]

what do you mean "borrow"?And if that borrow means you can get some, Im in.

borrow means to temporarily relocate the magnet to the side of my car without telling anyone/and or asking for permission...ill give them all back someday, i swear

[Charlie240sxt]

i want one or two if you can get them for real PLEASE

[emperor_lunchbox]

please send me an email. I am interested in this "borrowing" you speak [email protected]

[AZhitman]

Back on topic....

Besides, if anyone is a "fall hazard", it's MY old arse.

[tonynalli]

) and he said there's a lot more than just bolting it all together.

there is way more things that need to be checked and done before someone just puts **** in an engine...many many tolerances to be checked and what not..but good luck

[fiznat]

I'm aware of what needs to be checked before the engine is assembled. ALL of the clearances, including bearings and ring end-gaps were checked and set at the machine shop. This was simply a bolt-together affair for me this time around.

[emperor_lunchbox]

I wish I was as far along as you. I cant even get my engine on the stand It took me 2 weeks to get the intake manifold off.

[fiznat]

haha why cant you get the engine on the stand!? HINT: try taking the part that bolts to the engine OFF of the engine stand, bolting it to the engine, and then sliding that back onto the stand. Secret trick I learned from ancient master.

[fiznat]

Why did you put the pistons in first before the crank and gurdle? I don't see a problem with it, just wonder if that is a better way to do it.

I donno lol... seemed like a good idea at the time? I've never done this before and it seemed logical to me... Figured that way the crank wouldnt get in the way of anything, and we wouldnt have to worry about hitting a crank journal with the rod as we're pushing the piston into it's bore. Now that I've done this once though, I see that you can pretty much do it either way you like... I think its just a matter of preference.

[deviousKA]

Youve gotten the head installed already, but its is always a good idea to take a small dia. long drill bit and run it through the cooling passages between bores, by hand. Even after hot tanking these passages can be plugged with debris and they are very critical to deck surface cooling and head gasket seal integrity.

Its not my tip of the week, just good practice. You might want to check them out if the head isnt torqued, which it probably is.

[im two techno]

Looks great! I also wish i was as far along as you..

[S14tat]

as they stated earlier, why are you still using stock rods fiz?

[Iamjohnhayes]

oem rebuild for a daily driver

[S14tat]

oh yeah i remember now. okay.

[wild_maxx]

any updates? we like pictures.

[nissanfanatic]

Install the crank.

Then drop in piston/rod combo #1 and #4. Torque those rods on the crank.

Rotate crank 180 degress.

Drop in #2 and #3.

Torque.

.....

Fiz, any plans at all for this engine as far as performance goes? Or do you have something else you are working on?