Reusing rods from a blown motor: safe or stupid? (KA24DE) Cost effective rebuild

[qat727]

In looking over the parts that came with my S13, I've come to the tentative conclusion that my engine (KA24DE) is not as trashed as previously suspected. The previous owner told me that he blew the engine, then later said he only had a rod slapping around. Well, all the rods and pistons were already removed and the block with the crank in it was set out in the weather for a time. Upon further examination, I have found that the coat of rust on the cylinder walls and crank journals is quite thin and was able to be rubbed off with my finger.

In rubbing off this rust, I have found that the cylinder walls appear to be intact and the block does not appear to have suffered any damage. The crank looks fine except for one rod journal that is trashed. The rods tell a similar story. The pistons all look fine. Three of the rods look fine. One rod is trashed from a spun bearing.

A friend of mine recently blew up the KA24DE that came in his S14. When I say blew up, I mean the engine is dead. He slung a rod through the side of the block. Now, he says that he has two good rods left. This brings to mind a question for me. Would the extra stress experienced by the other pistons/rods cause them to be damaged (not necessarily visual damage) due to the failure of the rod that broke? I don't have a lot of money to spend on rebuilding the engine, but then again, I don't want to put something in that will trash my motor.

On a related note, I feel that replacing my crankshaft would be my best/cheapest option at this point. Where is a good starting place to find a used one, and about how much am I looking at paying to buy it?

For the money, would I be better off buying a used running engine, or rebuilding the one I have?

CLIFFS NOTES: Is it safe to use a connecting rod from an engine that threw a rod through the side of the block? How much do used crankshafts cost and where should I look for one at? Is it more cost effective to buy a used running engine, or to rebuild the one I have?

[Florida240sx]

Wait for the classfieds for a used ka24de engine. Be cheaper than it will be to do what you are asking. Find a KA24de either pulled for sr20 swap or a ka with blown HG for cheap.got my used ka for 300....

[CleanSfourteen]

Considering the fact that most of the bottom-end components in a KA24DE are good to withstand as much as 350hp, i would suggest working with what you have. The crankshaft is forged, internally balanced and known to be 'indestructable' and the rods are also quite durable.

I think you need to base your decision on what you're going to be doing to the engine. Daily driver?? re-use the rods and crank... Dyno queen?? time to start going aftermarket...

However, KA's in some areas are so common that you can easily find one for pennies on the dollar. I don't live in florida, so i havent that option. When i build up my KA i am planning on leaving the engine alone besides headwork and possibly pistons. I figure as long as i dont go all Inital-D on it i should be okay.. hahaha

I would encourage you to be more weary of parts that you have not seen in operation/have no story to.

[Florida240sx]

I drove 4hrs to go get my engine. And thne the following week 3 went up for sale around me. I see towns of ka24de engines being sold in michigan ohio and PA. There is a PA listing every week in the classifieds. That ain't to far from you. Nice little get away.

[qat727]

Considering the fact that most of the bottom-end components in a KA24DE are good to withstand as much as 350hp, i would suggest working with what you have. The crankshaft is forged, internally balanced and known to be 'indestructable' and the rods are also quite durable.

I think you need to base your decision on what you're going to be doing to the engine. Daily driver?? re-use the rods and crank... Dyno queen?? time to start going aftermarket...

However, KA's in some areas are so common that you can easily find one for pennies on the dollar. I don't live in florida, so i havent that option. When i build up my KA i am planning on leaving the engine alone besides headwork and possibly pistons. I figure as long as i dont go all Inital-D on it i should be okay.. hahaha

I would encourage you to be more weary of parts that you have not seen in operation/have no story to.

took me a while to get to a computer again, but I did it. I wasn't aiming for a dyno queen or a daily driver. D/D is a stock Civic, this was going to be a toy and a spare for when the Civic breaks. Thinking seriously about FI, if not, then high compression.

Under the token of being wary of parts I have no story on, the entire car is that way. I got it in non-running condition, and everything I see indicates to me that it's a ragged out piece of junk. I've been putting feelers out for engines around in my area, I just haven't had a lot of luck finding one for a good price.

The problem with my crank isn't that it's stock, it's that it spun a rod bearing and was badly grooved and worn. Ditto for the rod.

Can anyone tell me if the crank/rod from a FWD KA24DE will work, or if the crank/rod from a KA24E will work?

I have a guy that offered to sell me a complete KA24E... could I just swap the heads out?

Thanks for the info, everyone.

[S3t0_S13]

i think the crank off a fwd should work, i mean its the same engine, just sideways

as for a Single Cam Crank, i think it shouldnt have a proble, u just need 2 find 2 !

[irocknrol2]

Take the rods to a reliable machine shop and have them checked for cracks, alignment and twist. Thats the only way to tell if you should use them or not. Same thing with a used crank, nothing wrong with using them, just have them checked out.