James200319/89 240sx KA24DE/Hagerstown, Maryland

[James200319]

People of NICO!!!!

My name is James and I'm from hagerstown. I am a recent purchaser of a 89 240sx KA24DE from a friend of mine. There is a whole list of things that is done to the vehicle and I need to get the list from the previous owner.

I do have an issue with it. I'm thinking that the Headgasket is gone.... aka.... needs replaced. I'm not sure if the other person ran it hot and warped the head or anything else, so I am in need of some advice.

My background comes from Sentra SE-R Spec V's and I am not about to take on the world of 240s, but they are welcome to chat with some of the people on there. I need an honest opinion on whether or not to Replace the gasket and try to get this motor to run, but previous experience has told me just to replace the motor.

I have friends who are saying SR20DET... RB25DET... RB20DET... "TURBO TURBO TURBO". My hopes were to DD this thing, but I feel that it may be better to keep my sentra for a bit longer doing my daily commute until I can reliably get this thing out and on the road going. Do I want to turbo it? HELL YA. Do I want to do it now? That is the bigger question.

So enough about me rambling. Would you... if in my shoes... Replace the headgasket and call it a day. Or... go ahead and drop a new motor in it?

Thanks in advance!

[OutToWinPAHC]

I removed the links to your forum site. It is an opposing forum, so please post your pics from IMG tag.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Oh and FWD RWD, Honda, Nissan, or even Daewoo... Its all the same when checking a head gasket. Try to check compression, check for intermix in the oil/rad, check for constant air bubbles in the rad.

If you pull the head and buy a gasket set, clean the hell out of the head and take it to a machine shop. They usually can check a head for 15-20 bucks and if it needs milling its usually 40-50 more bucks. Then take a straight edge to the block and some feeler gauges and make sure its straight.

Since you heave the head off now is a good time to replace the tensioner, and timing chain too.

[zach-Ka]

+1 All is great advice. I wouldnt swap motors yet. Just get the sohc running good then start on drivetrain and suspention. I reget every day that I didnt do all this before a went sr.

[James200319]

+1 All is great advice. I wouldnt swap motors yet. Just get the sohc running good then start on drivetrain and suspention. I reget every day that I didnt do all this before a went sr.

It's a dual cam... The KA24 was swapped before I got the car. I think this is what I am going to do though.

Oh and FWD RWD, Honda, Nissan, or even Daewoo... Its all the same when checking a head gasket. Try to check compression, check for intermix in the oil/rad, check for constant air bubbles in the rad.

If you pull the head and buy a gasket set, clean the hell out of the head and take it to a machine shop. They usually can check a head for 15-20 bucks and if it needs milling its usually 40-50 more bucks. Then take a straight edge to the block and some feeler gauges and make sure its straight.

Since you heave the head off now is a good time to replace the tensioner, and timing chain too.

The mix between oil/cool is 100%... meaning... oil is milky. I am talking to someone about replacing the gasket, head bolts, and the thermostat(because there is none in the car currently). I know the person who swapped this motor, so I am going to guess that he did check/replace those already, but I will still say something to them - thanks!

Also, since you removed the easy link to the linked picture (it's ok, I understand)...

The pictures that I had taken was kind of crappy. Not sure why... I did let my aunt use my SLR before me and she could have did something to the lens - touched it with her palm or something to create the hazy affect. I'll try to take some more today or this week. Although, it is raining today

Pictures are here. Hopefully they resize automatically.

[SR20_FLO]

It looks pretty clean, except for thoe big hit marks on both sides. Other than that, looks like a good place to start,

And im about to buy one like that too. But it has the SOHC motor

[OutToWinPAHC]

Spend the extra few bucks man, CHECK THE HEAD, its probably warped.

[James200319]

Talked to a local tech today that actually did the original ka24de swap. We're going to work on it in the coming weeks. From now till then, I get to think about just fixing or swap. I am between myself. I want to get this working first and then consider the swap later.