engine id

[socsmm6]

I have a 97 hardbody truck. the engine is not original. it is supposed to be a 96. the engine is shot, in need of a rebuild. how can i make sure what model the engine is so i get the right rebuild kit? it is a ka24e engine just not sure about the year model. also where is a good place to buy a rebuild kit? I have replaced timing chains, head gaskets, built axles, and installed duals in a transfer case(all on toyotas) but never rebuilt an engine, I have a friend that will get me started if i get all the parts. thanks for the help.

[nismopu]

Just go buy an engine from an engine rebuilder, it will be much cheaper. How do you know the engine is blown?

[socsmm6]

it smokes worse than a skeeter truck. it will burn a quart of oil every 20 miles or so. it has gotten so bad that it has started to foul out a couple of plugs every 3-4 days. from the engines that I have priced they want 2200 to 2400 dollars for a new one.

[nismopu]

does it just smoke and not make any piston slap noises? It might just be the valve seals. They get hard and crack real easily on these engines if the oil isn't changed regularly. Do a compression check first before rebuilding the whole engine. let us know what you find. peace.

[socsmm6]

already did the compression test. 2 cylinders with about 100 psi and 2 cylinders with about 160 psi. the motor runs very smooth untill the plugs get fouled. it smokes lightly all the time, when you give it alot of gas it really lets it roll.

[nismopu]

I hate to keep running you around but which cylinders is it? I personally would start with rebuilding the head. Get a head set from courtesy nissan or I have had luck in the past with NAPA rebuilding the heads. They happened to have one and so I gave it a go, the truck still runs to this day. peace.

[socsmm6]

a little history on the engine. when we bought the truck it ran great. in about 2 months it started to use oil extremely bad. my son has a history of being very rough on trucks. talked to a previous owner of the truck and got the impression that he was really rough on the truck also. he sold the truck to a person and we bought it from him. from further inspection the breather box mounted on the fender well was half full of red sand. it appeared that the truck may have been under water in a good ole sandy pit. i was thinking that sand got into the motor and destroyed the rings. I'm not an engine mechanic by far, just going on what I have picked up over the years. thanks for the input. the nissan may be on hold for a little while. I may have found an engine (fairly cheap)for my sons toyota that he slung a rod through the side of the block.

[socsmm6]

forgot . my son says it is #2 and #4 cylinder that are weak and fouling out plugs.

[808DA6]

An bay pics would help, but by the price you were quoted for the engine I'd say its KA242DE.

-Brian