Blown Headgasket: Need some opinions

[Neejay]

Ok, while I was installing my hotshot intake, I just happened to check my radiatior: no sign of antifreeze anywhere. Filled it up (took a lot) and I dropped some electrical tape through the engine bay, bent down to pick it up and low and behold, theres antifreeze dropping from the oil pan seals Ok, so after installing the intake, I let the car run and as it warmed up, the antifreeze was just kinda running out from the oil pan seal

Ok, I got about 3 options (keeping in mind I just got some Tein coilovers about 3 months ago, and exhaust):

1.) Get a DOHC (+ maybe a manual swap) + labor fees

2.) Save a little longer for a ca18det (...or sr20...) + aftermarket parts + labor fees

3.) Save up and get a 91-93 240sx, save up even longer: 97+ prelude, 300zx, or WRX + sell this one and if I get another 240sx, switch over the coilovers and exhaust.

I have an automatic (dont shoot me, this car was $1,100) and I wont be autox, drifiting, or going to the track anytime soon. Whats the most practical option in your opinions? Please dont just do the "sr20!11!!" I need some honest opinons here.

Thanks.

[Derf]

Well it depends on what you want to do with it. if you are not going to race it and just want it as a everyday driver and autocross car I would go with DOHC.

[k6kicker]

If I was in your situation, i would go ahead and swap in a twin cam(S14...read on to know why...other then just less miles) and do the typical bolt ons (91~93 cams, header, intake, exhuast...ect)...heck why not go through with a head swap on your single cam....you would basiclly need an entire twin cam motor to get everything you needed (and those nice 91~93 cams) along with some beefier injecters and a way to deal with the fuel, but you would net stock sr hp numbers and make some NAAAAAAAAAAAASTY torque

[Ubernoober]

I don't thikn he can swap the head on his current block. The fact that it is coming from the pan area indicates to me his timing chan may have chopped a hole in his coolant passage. A blown head gasket that leaks seriously would be almost impossible to start and would be throwing out clouds of stinky steam.Doing any swap will be time consuming. If you can find a 91-93 on the cheap, you might be better off. It really depends on how cheaply you can get a DOHC plus all the attatched hardware and electronics, plus your personal time.

[Juujai]

um even in the track any motor is good enough why dont u just fix what you destroyed go to a junkyard ot classified to find some parts. i have a whole car to strip to jack parts from though =). especially in auto x u don tneed horsepower at all well maybe a little. a kade +transmission isnt a lot of money but if u dont do the labor urself its gonnabe costly. and get a lip/side skirts pignoses look funky without it

[240DRFT]

if your not gonna be doing much drifting and stuff then you will be fine with a ka24de

[Dirtylou]

I would just fix the car. Just wondering, but why did you get coilovers if your not going to drive the car hard enough to use them?

[Neejay]

I would just fix the car. Just wondering, but why did you get coilovers if your not going to drive the car hard enough to use them?

Blown shocks and I was debating on kyb-agx and eibach sportlines. I only have Tein basics, not like SS or anything.

Im leaning towards a dohc swap, but the only way I'd do a manual swap is if it came with a manual transmission and/or if I found a junkyard car with the necessary parts. Im not gonna go out there and buy a manual transmission.

Im gonna *try* to save up a lot of money and go from there without making any fast moves.

[k6kicker]

ugggg...an automatic transmission really kills the fun factor of these cars....

[Neejay]

I went by my mechanic today and he said he'd charge $500 to replace the headgasket, install a new water pump, timing chain, and all the other gaskets thats in the gasket kit. The good thing about this is that I'll know the condtion of the engine with the comfort of knowing certain gaskets were replaced and at least it would be slightly rebuilt.

On the other hand, he said it'd be $500 (plus whatever I would pay for the dohc so it'd be about $1k+) and Im assuming I could get some stuff replaced for extra money of course...

Like I said above, the problem is money and until I get a substantial amount, I have a backup car to drive. And this is only my daily driver with no track days or anything...Im still kinda torn :\

[Bruno240]

I would go with the ka24de. you can prolly get a rebuilt motor for like $1500. and get a man transmission while they do the engine swap bc it would be cheaper to do it at the same time and you would have a pretty nice car.

[Dirtylou]

Just don't sell your car because some kid might buy it and ruin it like one I saw today.

[Neejay]

I don't thikn he can swap the head on his current block. The fact that it is coming from the pan area indicates to me his timing chan may have chopped a hole in his coolant passage. A blown head gasket that leaks seriously would be almost impossible to start and would be throwing out clouds of stinky steam....

You might be right. After further research, I found this link:

http://www.asashop.org/autoinc...s.htm

"The coolant is then able to leak down inside the front cover and right into the oil pan"

I didnt have any overheating, or any white smoke indicating a failing, or failed headgasket....guess its time to head on over to my mechanic again.