Engine rebuild suggestions

[t.mcginley.jr]

Hey guys,

I've lurked around this forum for a while when I had my Z, but now I bought an s14 so I guess it's time to join in

Anyway, it's got 233k miles on it which is fairly high for any car. Everything is stock since it was first owned by an older lady and then by a middle-aged guy, but at least I know they were good with doing oil changes and stuff. The reason the guy sold it was because the timing chain is loose enough were you can hear it banging around (not the usual timing chain slapping the guides noise, louder). I'm assuming the tensioner for the lower chain is shot.

So I want to do at least get it running good again, but I'm not sure how far into the rebuild I want to go. These are my options:

1) Just do new timing chain set and other basic maintenance (belts/hoses/valve cover gasket)

2) The above + full head job, clean the valves, new valve stem seals, new HG, etc.

3) full rebuild from the block up with new pistons/rings/bearings, etc.

I managed to do a leak-down test the other night and these are the results:

#1 = 7.5% leakage
#2 = 8.5%
#3 = 12%
#4 = 9%

Now these numbers are from a COLD engine (didn't want to risk running it any longer than I had to considering the loose timing chain), so I'm assuming the numbers would look slightly better if it was actually warm. The numbers seem pretty damn healthy to me considering the high miles.

Any thoughts?

[Han]

Those aren't bad test results. I would either resurface the valves or replace them and cut the seats. I don't see why not if you're willing to get new pistons. And I'd recommend getting new valves guides too. Might as well just go the whole nine yards. A full gasket set, port n polished crank, new water pump, get the block hot tanked and resurfaced, jet wash everything else, and bead blast before doing so, and get new engine mounts to feel the difference. Also hone the cylinders. Or bore them out .5/1.0 and get the new pistons to fit.

Go for the full rebuild if this car is sticking with you for awhile. It will be worth it. I think. I have access to a shop so I don't even know how much shops actually charge for all that work. At least get a new w