StrawHat's 240SX restoration thread

[StrawHat]

It feels odd to say that I'm restoring a car that's only from 1990, but that's essentially what it is.

Heya, car noob here. The most difficult task I've done was taking off the manifolds from my B15. So yeah, I'm pretty green.

I bought the 1990 Nissan 240SX for only $600. The main issue was that the head gasket blew due to the previous owner putting in "Stop-Leak" in the wrong place. The head is off, but I have to readjust the timing chain because the previous owner damaged the newer head. Thankfully, the older head (although much dirtier) still has non-damaged internals (valve stems, the guides that keep the camshaft in place, etc), so I'll be using that instead. Other minor issues include surface rust along with some of it eating a portion of the rear hatch The jack points are also becoming flat, so it worries me that I might bend the floorpan or something.

I got a new place with a giant two car garage like a few weeks ago, so I've been able to work on my car without worrying about the crappy winter conditions. Right now I'm in the process of prying off the oil pan. Hopefully I don't damage anything severely in the process.

Here's the most recent picture of my S13.

[TQueezy]

Are you just trying to find used/newish parts from another 1990 s13 hatch and put them back on that car and make it "presentable" and driveable? I guess I'm confused... I mean, I know you put "restoration thread", but it's kinda hard to fathom a little, when so many people just upgrade to better stuff than OEM and it doesn't change the nature of the car all that much. Well, at least if you don't go bat-s*** crazy with the aftermarket stuff, that is.

I appreciate a good semi-original car (sleeper, in a sense) that has decent performance and great driving dynamics. If that's what you're going for, 2thumbsup

[StrawHat]

I guess "restoration" wasn't the best way to put it then. It just seems like that since this S13 requires a lot of work. My primary goal is to get it running properly, and my secondary goal is to fix the rust and paint the car to prevent further rust (some parts of the body has primer that doesn't have rust-preventing properties, or so I've been told). All that work makes it seem like a restoration, so yeah.

By the way, what do you do when your pinch welds don't hold up anymore? They're pretty much flush to the bottom of the chassis now. I'm just afraid that the jack stands might bend the floorpan or something.