Finished installing my DE today

[slipnfall]

My dad and brother came up this weekend to help me install my rebuilt KA. Just a stock rebuilt, nothing special. Just thought I'd share how it's coming. This forum has been a big help, even getting to this point. I'm getting closer and closer to getting it to start, but no luck yet.

For anyone who may be able to help, here's where I'm at in that regard:Primed the oil pump, good pressure(~56psi)Checked, double checked distrib. timing, plug wires.Have fuel on spark plugs, proper fuel pressure.Spark coming from coil, tho I havn't checked the individual plugs.Code 55 from ECU(OK).

I think my rotor is too far gone to let it start. The metal contact is worn down to the insulative material... it caught for like 2 seconds, then died. This is first on my list for tomorrow.

Thanks for looking!-Jamie

[slipnfall]

...another...not a very good picture, but you get the idea...

[petesleaf]

I emailed u because I wasn't registered yet. I hope you don't mind. Looks real clean and like you did a good job. Where did you purchase your rebuilt.? Did you get it up and running yet? Please give me some tips as I think I'm going to do the same thing. Appreciate it. Pete (1992 240 ka24de mine is an s13 so yours is later, a s14 I presume, from the great pics you posted.)

[slipnfall]

Hi Pete. I didnt' check my email yet, but will in a min. Thanks greatly for the compliments. I purchassed a used KA+transmission (the original was blown, spun rod) from a fellow NICO'r, for $200. I decided to just have it rebuilt, while it was out and I could afford it. I had a local machine shop, Palmer Engines, rebuild the short block and head seperately. They assembled both, but I installed the head on the block, and all the other goodies. Sorry I can't vouche for any remanned companies... I'v only ever dealt with TDK, and wasn't too happy with the 4cyl GM engine. Oh FYI it's an S13, same as yours, just the coupe body style.

-Slip

[Dattebayo]

He was asking if the engine was an S13 engine, not the body style...

[petesleaf]

Slip, thanx for the info. What year is your Car?. The whole engine looks really clean. could you give me an Idea what you had to pay for the machine shop to rebuild the KA24DE.? I thought the S-13 was the hatchback and the s-14 was a coupe that came out later than mine, a '92. Am I wrong?. Here's a pic of my car (if I attached it right.) I just bought it about 3wks ago for $800. It is a mess. The ignition lock was ripped out because someone lost a key and the kid replaced it with a toggle and starter pushbutton!. good grief. The engine has a blown head gasket that I plan fix. There's a clunk in the differential that I'm going to try flushing and refilling because I think the limited slip plates are sticking. The interior looks like a pig lived there so I ordered new race seats, fixed the three cracks in the dash and have redyed the entire floor and plastic panels. The mags were all corroded and flakey so I sandblasted them and painted them. I'm trying to get her on the road as cheaply as possible and then I might put more $ in later if it's worthy. Otherwise I'll sell it for around $4500. What do you think? I know it's a lot but it has a sun roof (SE) and one of the power windows actually works!. Mercy for small favors. Pete [IMG][/IMG]

[petesleaf]

Slip, Another pic of my project. It will probably take me several months to get it on the road because I don't have a lot to spend and I just want to take my time. I'm really enjoying myself so far. It starts and runs but is blowing steam out the exhaust. the water is running right thru to the pistons.. I was told to release the radiator cap pressure if you start it up that way. It might be smoking too from rings or valve guides so i think Ill just replace it or have it rebuilt. Talking 2K as far as I can tell if I do all the labor. Did you get yours running yet and what was the problem.? If so how is the rebuild measuring up?. I hope everything turns out OK after all the work you did. Pete

[petesleaf]

Slip, Here's a Pic of my son's 92 S-13. It's identical to mine only his is a 240SX in almost perfect condition inside and out. Mine is a '92 SX/SE. that needs a lot of work!.

[slipnfall]

Hi Pete. Nice looking two cars you have there! It's refreshing to see people still willing to put some 'blood, sweat, and tears' into getting a neglected car back into shape. The S13's series included a hatchback, and the coupe(mines a '92). I think they made the coupes as early as 90. The S14 is only offered in a coupe. I'm not 100% sure on years, but I believe the S14 started in '95.

In regards to your smoking, you might have more problems than worth putting money into. It's gotta be at least a blown headgasket if you're burning coolant. Worst case you head is cracked or warped(progresses to this when a car is driven w/a blown HG too much). I spent a little more than I really intended to, but it was a peace of mind move. The engine kit was ~$630 from importperformanceparts.net: included pratically everything. My machine shop bill was $730, which was for block rebuild and assembly, head work/valve job, and resurfaced flywheel. Your other option is to buy a used DE, which will really save you some money. Find someone here who has swapped in a non-US motor, because they are most likely to have an engine in good shape. You can usually get a 70k engine w/transmission for maybe $4-500. It's hard to say what's wrong with the engine without pulling it apart.

Hope this helps, I'v gotta scoot for now.-Jamie

[petesleaf]

Thanks Jamie/slipI still can't believe how clean everything looks for a '92, even your firewall looks like fresh paint. If you spent $1400 rebuilding you still came out ahead unless you didn't do the block. I've found some completely rebuilt engines on the net for around $2k. If you haven't found your problem yet you might check the compression. if it's not right go back and look at the cam alignment as I assume the cams were removed for the rebuild. See the first post on this site it is very helpful. let me know if you are spinning your tires yet O.K. The next thing everyone needs is a cold air intake and a new temp sensor to boost you H.P. a little. I read a article on this for a project car and my son and I had already done the same thing to his. I wanted to ask you how did you read the ECU as you said you got code 55. I found an ECU undr the rt hand pass side panel and another under the console behind the shifter. I don't know what the second one is for. Pete P. S. My new seats have been shipped and I'll send a pic when I get them in. Also I'll try to let you know eventually when i decide what to do about an engine.

[slipnfall]

Pete, I'm at work right now, but to give you a quick answer, check http://www.240sx.org. They have a descirption on how to pull the codes from the ECU. Also do a search here on NICO for 'download FSM', you can download the full factory service manual. Oh and BTW I got my car running, the distributor was off time.

I'll have a more verbose response later tonight. :-)

-Slip

[petesleaf]

Take a look at these babys! Just got them off Ebay. [IMG][/IMG]

[slipnfall]

Cool, looks like the fabric matches the stock grey on the original seats well. I have about a 42 waist so I won't buy seats unless I sit in them first. Even in my GFs '04 Accord, the side bolster supports are irritating(someday I'll get rid of that 'spare tire'). Anyways, good luck getting them in. From what I gather the S13 is a little tricky to get different seats in. Even with the universal slider brackets, you still have to use your original slider(and have it custom welded to the new ones, or something like that). There's plenty of topics here, I'm sure you'll find some help on it.

-Jamie