Dante's s13 Coupe Build | Updated: 3/27 | NO56k

[BigDAT]

Yeah my first 240, a 1991 coupe base model.

lemme give you the low-down: the car does not run, had to be towed home. The engine turns over but does not start, we peeked in the oil fill hole, and the cams do not spin. We can hear the timing chain rattling as the engines strugles to turn over.

Out deduction: timing chain is broken, and/or cams are broken (maybe valves as well)

I bought the car for $700 and AAA towed her home for free.

Sorry I only got one picture before it got dark (i'll be a picture whore, don't worry)

How I bought her:


Full res: http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/9075/0218011645.jpg

Actual BUILD will start tomorrow.


In the mean time, I will order/pick up the parts I need once I figure out what I need (once we pull the head off the block tomorrow)

any suggestions are welcome.

To Do:

[ ] Get engine running
-[ ] Figure out what parts I need
-[ ] Buy parts for engine
-[ ] Install parts for engine

[ ] Buy and install coilovers
[ ] Weld in strut tower brace
[ ] Solid subframe bushings?*

[ ] Make seat bracket and install bucket
[ ] Make harness mounts and install harness

[ ]pick up spare diff so I can confidently weld current one

ATM I have a bucket seat and a 4 point harness that Ive had in my room, so those can go in pretty soon.

This build thread will be on nicoclub.com and norcaldrift.org

[Midwest_240sx]

That is a super clean coupe bro. Congrats. The body itself was worth the 700.

[BigDAT]

That is a super clean coupe bro. Congrats. The body itself was worth the 700.

Thanks, hopefully with a little love this thing can be tearing up the streets in no time.

[chaos2000]

wow iv bought s13's for the same price and mine didnt even look 1/3 as good as yours!!! good find now get that b**** running!!!

[BigDAT]

wow iv bought s13's for the same price and mine didnt even look 1/3 as good as yours!!! good find now get that b**** running!!!

Hell yeah, sept its midnight here and pouring rain. tomorrow, once I help my dad fix the brakes on his chevelle, then I can work all day on my car haha

[OutToWinPAHC]

Pull the valve cover.... if the cams were stuck or the chain was broken and you cranked it the motor would go interference. But yea very clean shell for starters.

[BigDAT]

Pull the valve cover.... if the cams were stuck or the chain was broken and you cranked it the motor would go interference. But yea very clean shell for starters.

my thought is that it is probably a broken timing chain, either way I am about to go take a lot ofpictures because I KOW HOW THE INTERNET WORKS.

[BigDAT]

[BigDAT]

pulled the vale cover to find:
Timing chain broke (at least the upper one)
exhaust cam is snapped at the cam gear
upper timing guide is completely f***
timing chain tentioner is also broken
side timing guide is worn to s***, but not broken.

a little damage on the head, tried to get a good picture but couldn't really. not sure if I need a new head or not, once I pull it ill see the extent of the damage.

pics:

[breadbox]

time for a donor long block. It'll be quicker. Very nice start.

[BigDAT]

is there a trick to getting the shift knob off? It wont just unscrew...

EDIT: got it, but it was a PAIN IN THE a**

[BigDAT]

Cleaning the interior out a LOT, carpets, nasty a** seats, removing old shift knob etc etc

also I got a picture of the damage to the side of the car, tried to get a shot of the dent in the light housing, but cant see it in that one..

[BigDAT]

Fixed hole in door panel (LOL FIXED)







Also did this:




Wrote a DIY: diy-make-your-own-shift-knob-from-an-ol ... 24549.html

[BigDAT]

So yesterday I got some stuff done:

New shift boot
Covered glove box
Cleaned up some interior pieces
Pulled head (finally)

Also why is there SO f*** MUCH emissions s*** on this engine, its ridiculous.

So today I have a bunch of parts that We are gonna power wash, and hopefully we can get the front cover off (lower) so we can see the extent of the damage.

The #4 piston contacted the valves and bent them, as you can see in the pictures. But the head itself didn't seem to suffer any other damage besides a scrape where the timing chain broke, we'll be able to know more once its all cleaned up.

[BigDAT]

Picked up an s14 KA exhaust cam

thanks George





To do revised:

[ ] Get engine running
-[ ] Figure out ALL THE parts I need
-[ ] Buy ALL THE parts for engine
-[ ] Install parts for engine

[ ] Buy and install coilovers (hopefully soon)
[ ] Weld in strut tower brace
[ ] Solid subframe bushings?*

[ ] Make seat bracket and install bucket (considering getting other seats)
[ ] Make harness mounts and install harness



So I still need valves (2 of them) since 2 are bent
I ordered a timing kit that included a water pump (sorry whoever it was that I was gonna buy that timing kit from) but I got a good deal
I now have an exhaust cam, the kit I ordered comes with cam sprockets/gears


I still need to pull the lower front cover! Hopefully I can get it done soon, but I have to work crazy early tomorrow..

[Hoffman5982]

That was a kick a** deal on the car. Im glad to see that the engine didn't have too much trouble. Good luck!

[BigDAT]

That was a kick a** deal on the car. Im glad to see that the engine didn't have too much trouble. Good luck!

Thanks, and yes it was a great deal.

[idahotuner]

never seen some one take off a head that way!

[BigDAT]

never seen some one take off a head that way!

well we just needed the head off, so we unbolted the upper intake manifold from the lower and form then head, took the exhaust manifold off, and we pulled the head up and twards the exhaust side, leaving behind the upper intake manifold just hanging bu a few hoses. if it weren't for all the emissions s***...

[BigDAT]

Pressure washed some stuff today.

also they gave us the wrong master cylinder for the Chevelle at the parts store >:|











Also what should I do with my valve cover? I was thinking about polishing it.. or painting it black and polishing the letters, lemme know what you guys think

[idahotuner]

never seen some one take off a head that way!

well we just needed the head off, so we unbolted the upper intake manifold from the lower and form then head, took the exhaust manifold off, and we pulled the head up and twards the exhaust side, leaving behind the upper intake manifold just hanging bu a few hoses. if it weren't for all the emissions bullsh*t...

awe. i bet those bottom bolts on the intake were a pita to take off

[MICRoS13]

Hey what material did you use for that shift boot?

[BigDAT]

awe. i bet those bottom bolts on the intake were a pita to take off

damn right they are...


picked up an s14 cam last night:

[BigDAT]

Didnt get much time to work on her today, but I:

Removed radiator
removed e-fan
removed lower intake manifold
removed lower radiator hose
removed a ton of emissions equipment
removed alternator
removed alternator bracket
disconnected power steering pump
removed power steering pump bracket
removed water pump

Also registered the car today at AAA
Thank god for AAA, DMV SUCKS.

also considering getting the last set of ZP x2 coilovers...






Will get pictures of all the stuff I removed, before/after we pressure wash it (excluding alternator and water pump, I am getting new ones)

Tomorrow:
get puller and remove crank pulley
remove front cover and timing chain stuff

[BigDAT]

Parts I pulled off last night:







new parts! I LOVE THE UPS MAN.





Also damnit we need a new page already, too many pictures for one page... on NCD there is 4 pages already lol

[elchoccolatte]

Nice coupe, Its work but you'll be happy in the long run...

[King Chilie]

wow iv bought s13's for the same price and mine didnt even look 1/3 as good as yours!!! good find now get that b**** running!!!

Hell yeah, sept its midnight here and pouring rain. tomorrow, once I help my dad fix the brakes on his chevelle, then I can work all day on my car haha

been there done that! what year chevelle? i have a 68.

[BigDAT]

Hell yeah, sept its midnight here and pouring rain. tomorrow, once I help my dad fix the brakes on his chevelle, then I can work all day on my car haha

been there done that! what year chevelle? i have a 68.

69, butternut yellow with a vinyl top.

also:
Ordered my valves today!

also did the valve lash checking last night

ITSGOOOOD.

will get pictures up another time.

also, we arent going to pull the engine, the reason we were gonna is to put a new clutch in it, but I decided that before I do anything like that I need to get the car running and smogged. (also the reason I havn't bought coilovers yet)

[BigDAT]

Finally an awesome update. (for me anyway)

Engine = Pulled, washed, on engine stand

So after cleaning ALL DAY I cleaned some more. Then I scraped all the from the gaskets off the block. Cleaned it REALLY good with some acetone and a rag for a few hours...

I also cleaned out the engine bay some, got through the 1/2in of greasy crap.. everywhere.

Pulled all the AC s*** out of the engine bay

lots of fun stuff stuff, took lots of pictures, will have them up in the morning.

[BigDAT]

Valve lash for s14 exhaust cam, its good.


The 2 bent valves


Motor ready to come out




She really wants to get outta this mess..



Going..


Oh crap, I think I am missing something...


Oh, she's right there..


I think I'm gonna leave it this height.


Parts ready to get cleaned up...



Block is not on engine stand.


Few parts


Head and flywheel getting ready to go to machine shop on monday


Engine bay needs some love..



Pictures my dad took while I was cleaning..








Wow she is looking better already!



Weight reduction haha.


Block scraped, cleaned like crazy and prepped for paint (hopefully today)