Tore into the CA today

[Dattebayo]

So I managed to get the head and intake manifold off the motor today. Man am I glad i did. Take a look at some of these pics:



Look at all that crap in there! I was wondering about why the two pistons in the middle are on the same timing.

[c-rad]

I was wondering about why the two pistons in the middle are on the same timing.

Because 1 and 4 fire at roughly the same time and 2 and 3 fire at around the same time.

Also, yeah, that block surface looks pretty nasty. Nothing that can't be cleaned up though.

[Dattebayo]

Thats the gasket, c-rad. Not the block surface.

The block surface is perfect.

[float_6969]

I'd still take the block down and have it at least checked for level. You'd be suprised how few of these are in spec. That motor just needs a good cleaning, some new rings, main and rod bearing, and a head gasket and you'll be like brand new!

[c-rad]

I'd still take the block down and have it at least checked for level. You'd be suprised how few of these are in spec. That motor just needs a good cleaning, some new rings, main and rod bearing, and a head gasket and you'll be like brand new!

Yeah, my head LOOKED perfect, but it had 2 low spots in it so I ended up getting it resurfaced.

[Dattebayo]

OK. I will definatly do that.

I am also getting the valve seals replaced and possibly doing some grinding or whatnot.

What sort of headwork would you reccommend?

[float_6969]

Minimal. Removal of casting marks and ridges. Thats it. Do your reasearch too. Use the roughest grade you can on the intake ports that have the injectors fire fuel into them. Polish all other ports as as smooth as possible. Try to keep the widening of the ports to a minimum.

[Dattebayo]

I will not be doing the rebuild of the head or the work on it myself, I am having a machine shop do this. What do I need to tell them if they are not familiar with the CA18DET motor as to what needs to be done, and anything else?

[biosehnsucht]

print up the EM section of the FSM, specifcally the block and head related bits and take it with you, they should be able to use Pulsar CA18DE info if they have it but they might not, hence taking that.

[Dattebayo]

Isnt there a difference in the block or head between the Pulsar CA18 and the CA18DET?I should probably look this one up...

[c-rad]

Isnt there a difference in the block or head between the Pulsar CA18 and the CA18DET?I should probably look this one up...

Crank = same rods = same pistons = different C/RBlock specs = same (minus oil squirters for the pistons and a main girdle)head = uhh...doesn't really matter, but valves are the same... cams are different.

Everything the machine shop needs is in the FSM that can be downloaded in the stickies.

[81na ZX]

Because 1 and 4 fire at roughly the same time and 2 and 3 fire at around the same time.

Also, yeah, that block surface looks pretty nasty. Nothing that can't be cleaned up though.

Well technically they fire 180deg from each other. Its standard for just about every 4 cylinder - to end up with a 1-3-4-2 firing order IIRC.

[c-rad]

Well technically they fire 180deg from each other. Its standard for just about every 4 cylinder - to end up with a 1-3-4-2 firing order IIRC.

I think you mean 4-1-2-3... right?

[Dattebayo]

I looked in the FSM and I could not find any oil squirters in any place that was labeled.

I assume you meant that the silvia/180sx motor has the squirters whereas the USDM Pulsar motor did not (thats usually the case with turbo motors). Please help me locate them so I can be sure I did actually get a JDM motor...

[Dattebayo]

Well, I just dropped off the head at the machine shop and its amazing.

they are only charging me $95 to do the following to it:

Clean and deck headReseal and re-valve if nessesaryRemove all casting ridgesPolish all intake and exhaust ports

I decided not to mess with anything else becuase the prices were going to go way up for any real porting to happen, plus I would have to bring in the intake manifold for matching and it would take forever.

The guy said It should be ready by this coming tuesday. I told him to get all the parts he needs for the head from a 1988 1.8L Pulsar since I told him where it actually came from and he just looked at me like I was invisible for a minute.

[hannibal]

Woohoo! Making progress!!

so thats what youve been doing all week...

[biosehnsucht]

The squirters should be quite obvious if you look at the block from below:



All RWD DET and possibly DE CA's (not sure on DE) will/should have them. Not sure if FWD DETs had them.. I know FWD DEs don't (at least not the pulsar variety)

[boost_boy]

The squirters should be quite obvious if you look at the block from below:



All RWD DET and possibly DE CA's (not sure on DE) will/should have them. Not sure if FWD DETs had them.. I know FWD DEs don't (at least not the pulsar variety)

FWD/AWD DETs have them, but neither RWD nor FWD CA18DEs does not.

Dee

[float_6969]

I think you mean 4-1-2-3... right?

Not on this motor. It's 1-3-4-2. I think it's like that for ALL Nissan 4's...

[Dattebayo]

FWD/AWD DETs have them, but neither RWD nor FWD CA18DEs does not.Dee

So do the RWD DET's contain the squirters? I did not understand fully, I appologize.

[boost_boy]

Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldnt oil squirters be an asset in a turbo motor? I guess what I am saying is should I/can I take those squirters off the usdm model and transplant them into the block?

If you're referring to the USDM CA18DE's then you won't find an ol squirter in those. But if you popped open a CA18ET, you should find what you're looking for.

Dee

[Dattebayo]

oops, bad post
Modified by 2BN_S13 at 9:27 PM 5/30/2005

[c-rad]

Kind of OT, but are the CA18ET squirters the same as the CA18DET ones? Reason I ask is the machine shop managed to break one of mine and he said he ordered a replacement, but I don't know what he ordered and he is on vacation for a few days.

[float_6969]

It's the same block (basically) I would assume that they are.

[Dattebayo]

I got the head back from the machine shop.Here are a few pics of how clean it is!



All work was done as promised, but the guy accidently charged me $20 less than he was supposed to. Oh well!
Modified by 2BN_S13 at 5:11 PM 6/6/2005

[biosehnsucht]

Kind of OT, but are the CA18ET squirters the same as the CA18DET ones? Reason I ask is the machine shop managed to break one of mine and he said he ordered a replacement, but I don't know what he ordered and he is on vacation for a few days.

They're not the same part #'s and I doubt they will interchange exactly. Whether or not they work, I don't know.

[Dattebayo]

Thanks for noticing guys...

Does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning off the block? I mean cleaning the tops of the pistons and the outside of the block.

[c-rad]

You can bead blast the pistons (but that would require removing them) and an abrasive pad to clean the top of the block off. Thing is, you need to make sure NOTHING gets down into the oil/coolant passages. So be very particular about that. As for the outside of the block? I dunno, some standard degreaser.