first rebuild ever, questions.

[Hstn Wytt]

So Feb 09 I bought a 90 240sx with a ka24e in it, supposedly rebuilt. Couple days after i got it, the motor overheated and warped inside. Couple months later i decide to put in another motor, my dad rebuilt, and again it started overheating. Around christmas time we bought a rebuilt motor, put it in and it threw a rod. So now I'm ready to try and get it running. I just want it running, as I dont have a vehicle right now. But my dad does not have the time to do it, and honestly he is more savy in older american v8s and not these imports.

Our local Pull-Apart has a nissan truck with the ka24e. the truck was hit in the rear and the motor looks fine. They want $200 and they have a warranty on their stuff, if it doesnt run i can bring it back for full refund. I dont have a ton of money to spend. And I have not rebuilt a motor on my own, so my question is it that complicated to do it on my own? And about how much can i look to spend on a nice rebuild kit from where?

[S13_RB25]

To tell you the truth, rebuilding doesn't seem that hard if you follow the FSM and have some general knowledge of how the engine works. Im doing my first rebuild and its going perfect so far, just waiting for HG to arrive.

[Hstn Wytt]

Ya I have the FSM and I've been reading over and over.
Did you buy a kit or peice yours together? About how much have you spent so far?
Im just looking to rebuild it so I can drive it daily, no performance parts.

[S13_RB25]

I bought a kit. By now i probably spent around 1k, that includes buying new tools and also i'm doing the 5 speed swap along with the rebuild so that's why the cost is that high for now.

[Hstn Wytt]

So do you think its possible to do a reliable rebuild for under 1k?
and you got your kit from ebay correct? do you have a link to the seller?

[S13_RB25]

You can do a reliable rebuild for under 1k. You can get aftermarket parts for under 1k and have your ka ready for boost.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-94-2- ... ccessories
Thats the kit i used but i didn't use any of their timing components. The timing components, i bought them from courtesy parts But if you already have all the tools, I'd suggest that you either piece together your own kit, aftermarket or not. That way you know what you have in that engine.

[wa-chiss]

A lot of aftermarket rebuilders sometime don't check clearances. As long as you have the correct clearances, clean oil passages, and coolant, you will be fine doing the rebuild yourself. Get a set of plastiguage, a ring file, ring compressor, and a torque wrench. Along with other common tools, a rebuild is easy. If you're afraid to miss something, you will.

[jt15833]

Wow I can't believe that kit is $320 and includes pistons, front cover, gears, chain etc. Can anyone speak of the quality of the components? And what's the need for the pistons, I'd think new rings would be enough.

[lexcrob]

Hate to say it but id never trust ebay engine bearings....unless they tell you the brand and you can research

-honestly ive been debating a rebuild i did a b16a2 civic si as my first and it runs like champ(sold to my buddy)
I've been checking everywhere for pricing etc. and man some parts like the chain kit vary in $ like WTFF...ebay is sig. cheaper. I really would love to buy the 350$ complete rebuild kit off ebay but honestly without someone backing it who used it its NOT worth it.

Sorry guys but im gonna say no its not easy by anymeans to rebuild a motor. Even if you do a re-ring job with bearings. For starters lets talk about some tools

Your going to want to have
:feeler guages,ring compressor,engine stand,dial indicator,dial caliper,plastiguage,3/8 torque wrench-that is the minimum thats all i had

Now yes that is kind of easy but you'll learn some lessons fast dont CHEAP out on the percision guages no harbor frieght. Yep im a dummy thats what i used. Also you're going to probly spend around 20 hours minimun doing all the procedures. In the end if you do all the measurements with the tools listed above their is still a bunch others that require more special tools. Some things will be a ton easier and faster with certain tools. All in all go for it i thought it would be fun but i really was just nervous the whole time and hated triple checking and getting diff readings using buddys guages...

Just be prepared that when its all said and done and its ur first one........it might not run for too long hehe.



Now that being said ive got a 2yr. in autotech. had two engine rebuilding classes took quite a few apart rebuilt for theory (didnt runem) and i had a bunch of old guys at work who've done quite a few. With all their tips and a couple from the local machine shop (drove down to talk few times). My motor runs like a MO******* like for real better than any honda ive ever been in even car for that matter it pur and pulls hard even wooped got whooped in my new 92 s13 by it. 2 car lengths at least. Just throwin in some input since i been through it still a newb tho.

[S13_RB25]

Wow I can't believe that kit is $320 and includes pistons, front cover, gears, chain etc. Can anyone speak of the quality of the components? And what's the need for the pistons, I'd think new rings would be enough.

Yea i know but im not even using most of the timing components. The chains are just shabby so i ordered new ones from courtesy. But the is pistons are just like the OEM, or the ones i took out. But also this seller either gave me ACL or King bearings. And i did my search about king and they are good. But im going to be done with the build soon i just ordered the exhaust today so ill update when i get it running.

[lexcrob]

I jumped on some DSM forums and i guess they all have great luck with ebay gasket kits including the headgasket. Also one kit I came across came with NPR rings and thats the same i used for my honda worked.