New 1990 300zx TT owner-need help!

[snopro00]

Last year I bought a300 zx TT from my father-in-law. I put about 3000 miles on it now, but I think I've blown the top-end. When it is running, it has a bad ticking, almost making it sound like a diesel. I brought it to the local nissan dealership and they gave me a quote of $9000 to fix it. I was dumbfounded. What do I do? I love this car and have a complete body kit ready to go on as well as a new paint job I'm wanting to do, but first things first, I need to make it mechanically sound first. Does anybody have any advice on what to do? Who to call? Should I just by a new engine? If so, where do I get a new engine? I'm a little skeptical buying a used motor. I need help. Any advice anybody could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks you.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

Any chance you could post a video so we could hear the actual sound? There are a lot of things that can make a ticking sound. Does the car still have power? How loud is it. You can order a Japanese imported twin turbo motor for just over a grand or so if it came to that, but you want to make sure you have a proper diagnosis before doing anything.

[snopro00]

Yes, it still has all of the power. It's a 1990 btw. It sounded to me before I brought it to the dealership like the lifters need adjusted, but they told me they are non-adjustable. I will record the sound tomorrow and post it. Thanks for any help I might get.

[Choklit]

They are hydraulic lifters. Does the ticking go away after a while or does it stick around? If it goes away after a while, then the ticking would be your lifters

[Chazmann]

they told me they are non-adjustable.

The dealership is right.
But lifters can be relatively easily replaced (about $10/ea.) or even cleaned if that's the true source of the noise.

[DCaff300ZX]

Another possibility (and far worse for you) is that a rod bearing has spun as does happen for several reasons with high-mileage Z's, and supports the $9K estimate (total replacement).
Basically you need to either assess the engine systems by using the normal steps an experienced mechanic would use to check all of the vital areas, or take it to someone to do it for you as this is the ONLY way to know what is wrong with your engine.
The VG30 engine is VERY complicated and not easily diagnosed in simple conversation without having some specific details handy to share...

[Ziggy1621]

Yes, I'm guessing rod bearing if they quoted that high. At that point, you would be better buying a JDM motor, 120k timing kit and new oil pump and then drop it into your car. Much cheaper.

Post a video of it running, and don't rev it hard or drive it. That crank may be salvageable