new or old engine to rebuild.

[240Knightrider]

I was just wondering what everyones opinions were on this. I have a KA24DE engine that has 217k miles on it now. I wanted to buy a used but low mileage engine to rebuild. If I am going to rebuild anyway and my block is still good on my engine. Should I still buy a lower mileage engine.

[deezlins]

you might want it as a spare engine or somethin for parts or just incase, or to just fiddle around with or somethin

as long as the block is good, then it should be fine if youre gonna go all out and rebuild it

[spitz7985]

i guess it depends on how much you want to rebuild. are you going to rebuild the whole head also?

[erich]

Old blocks are stronger. With many heat cycles the internal casting stresses are relieved somewhat which makes the block les prone to cracking. Unless you are going HUGE power it won't matter as the KA blocks are quite strong.

[240Knightrider]

OH, no im dont plan on doing a full rebuild. Guess I shoulda thougth about that one. Do you think I should go ahead and buy the new engine and used the old block?

[erich]

Whatever is cheapest/easiest for you. I haven't heard of anyone breaking a KA block without throwing a rod, so do whatever is most convienent.

[240Knightrider]

oh I see why people refer to it as bulletproof. Im not sure which is more conveinent. I have never done this, I am doing it myself to learn all how to do it. I guess it would be harder to take the old one and put it on the newer one.

[Checkered-Member]

Well considering you can get a KA with less then 20K miles for 500 bucks…I’ll say go for it

[240Knightrider]

woah, where is that I want to know where to get the KA for 500. The cheapest I have found is $795 with $80 shipping, which for shipping is an awesome deal from ASAPMotors.com

[Checkered-Member]

http://car-part.com/

Select: year, (even thou it does matter it will give you all years)Then car: Nissan 240sxThen "Engine" (not Engine Block)

There are about 9 pages, on pages 5-7 have them around $600-$450

The prices are without shipping and you will have to call and arrange that, its should be about 80-120 dollars depending on distance.

Hope this helps

[andrave]

I'm doing that, I'm worried about valve seats and valve springs, but other than that I'm just putting new seals in my 190k DE and I plan on boosting her. I'm also replacing the timing chain, and maybe the water and oil pumps too. If I found a lower mileage head (<100k) I'd probably buy it to save me the worries of putting new seats and springs in it.

[240Knightrider]

are you getting forgeds pistons and rods

[fiznat]

the KA in my s13 has 160,000 on it right now, and I decided that it would be better to just buy a newer KA and use that. Number one reason was in case I blow something up on the turboed motor, I have a perfectly fine running engine that I can put back in so I can get to work. Plus now I can build my turbo engine while it's out of the car, and then when I'm ready just switch them. This cuts downtime in my (daily driven) 240 down to almost nothing comparativly.

As far as prices for a KA, you gotta look around. I know alot of the websites say $500+ for an engine, but I picked up a 97 KA AND transmission with 85k on it for 200 bucks. Just cruise all the classifides pages on this and other forums and you'll find one.

[andrave]

yeah 500 sounded steep to me...