What to do with L16 engine

[72daphne]

Hi all, first post here.  I just acquired a full L16 engine and 4 speed trans from a 521 and am not sure what I should do with it.  It has a blown head gasket so I was planning on taking it apart and rebuilding it.  I wanted to learn to perform a full engine rebuild and bought the L series engine rebuild book to help with the task.  After looking for rebuild kits it became apparent that people haven't made kits for some time now for the L16s.  Is just buying a gasket kit and replacing the head gasket to get the motor usable my best option now?  Piecing together all the parts seems like it may be difficult and expensive and I don't really want to throw that much money at this engine since I don't really know what I want to do with it yet.  Just looking for some opinions on what my best option will be.  Thanks.

[datzenmike]

First thing!!!! Do not take the cam sprocket off. IMPORTANT!!! Find out how to safely and properly block the timing chain tensioner from falling out first. Failure to do this will add 4-6 hours (minimum) of unnecessary work to fix the damage done.

 

 

Now I feel better. Yes for about $30 or less you can get an L series head gasket. Mine was a Felpro and they work just fine. With the head off there may be some surprises. If the head gasket blew 20 years ago and water was left in the head and cylinder it may be so totally rusted out it's scrap. If it was never fixed maybe there is a reason, like it's not worth the bother because it needs a rebuild.

 

Sometimes previous owners think they know the problem and they don't. If you are very lucky it could be a badly adjusted valve or a lot of cheap to fix things. (probably not but you can hope)

 

Assuming the engine is in good shape otherwise, the head off is a good time to replace the valve guide seals or you can do later with it on the engine if it turns out to be a good runner. Worn valve guide seals tend to use oil. The valves can be removed and the seats and faces examined. All this will allow the engine to be started and some assessments made like a compression test.  Assuming the carb works after sitting so long.  

[flatcat19]

Do you have a Datsun to put said motor in?

 

Building an L16 to stock specs sounds like more of a waste of money given the output you'll receive.

 

If wanting an L16 there are things you can do to get a boost out of it.

240Z pistons. Long-rod 1.8 could be made.

 

Lots of options. Ratsun has tons of info for you too.

 

Welcome.

[Draker]

Looks at rockauto.com for parts.

 

Gasket set, main and rod bearings, rings, clutch pilot bearing, done.

[DanielC]

You can buy individual gaskets from Nissan.

[Lockleaf]

https://www.cleggengine.com/

 

Excellent parts source and a great machine shop

[72daphne]

First thing!!!! Do not take the cam sprocket off. IMPORTANT!!! Find out how to safely and properly block the timing chain tensioner from falling out first. Failure to do this will add 4-6 hours (minimum) of unnecessary work to fix the damage done.

 

 

Now I feel better. Yes for about $30 or less you can get an L series head gasket. Mine was a Felpro and they work just fine. With the head off there may be some surprises. If the head gasket blew 20 years ago and water was left in the head and cylinder it may be so totally rusted out it's scrap. If it was never fixed maybe there is a reason, like it's not worth the bother because it needs a rebuild.

 

Sometimes previous owners think they know the problem and they don't. If you are very lucky it could be a badly adjusted valve or a lot of cheap to fix things. (probably not but you can hope)

 

Assuming the engine is in good shape otherwise, the head off is a good time to replace the valve guide seals or you can do later with it on the engine if it turns out to be a good runner. Worn valve guide seals tend to use oil. The valves can be removed and the seats and faces examined. All this will allow the engine to be started and some assessments made like a compression test.  Assuming the carb works after sitting so long.  

 

 

Luckily this was in a 521 that was running fine until recently.  The owner just decided to take out the L16 and do a SR20 swap instead of replacing the head gasket.  Had typical head gasket symptoms of white smoke and a little bit of coolant in the #4 piston chamber.  Stopped driving on it as soon as he saw smoke so hopefully when I take off the head everything looks to be in good shape.

 

 

Do you have a Datsun to put said motor in?

 

Building an L16 to stock specs sounds like more of a waste of money given the output you'll receive.

 

If wanting an L16 there are things you can do to get a boost out of it.

240Z pistons. Long-rod 1.8 could be made.

 

Lots of options. Ratsun has tons of info for you too.

 

Welcome.

 

I have a 510 I am working on that this could possibly go in but looking to rebuild this mostly for the experience.  Also would be practice if I ever wanted to rebuild the 510 L16 engine.  Doesn't need to be stock specs at all just want it to run well.  Sounds like there are some possible upgrades I could do to it I can look into.

 

 

 

Thanks all for the help, gives me some places to look before I attempt the rebuild.

[banzai510(hainz)]

shit just replace the head gasket as the guy doing the SR20 swp will want it back in about 10years of the truck in the back yard.

 

olddatsuns.com read that

 

youtube has my L series Hainz vedio

 

most bores need to be done with new pistons if out of tol($$$) so I would just do a head gasket. Otherwise I would do a L20 at least if you want more power as the cost to do is the same