DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Not sure how this site works yet, I'm new. I've got a 1986 Nissan pickup with a z24 but the heads been off for a while, not many miles on the engine though. I believe it's hydrolocked cause it won't even budge. My question is, is it worth it to bore out the z24 or should I look into getting a new engine? It's got 135,000 miles on it. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Why was head off??? Was the head gasket blown??? Maybe put away wet and the bores are rusty. If head off take a look. 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 22 minutes ago, datzenmike said: Why was head off??? Someone needed it I guess. Heard about a Nissan truck being sold for 600 bucks and couldn't pass it up. Might have been parted out but it's mostly there Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 I poured some marvel mystery oil in the top hoping to loosen up the rust but that didn't work 😛 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Was the hood closed or open to the weather? Cylinders are visually rusty? The starter should break it loose. Cut the oil filter open. Look for metal filings. Maybe spun bearing and engine seized. 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 21 minutes ago, datzenmike said: Was the hood closed or open to the weather? Cylinders are visually rusty? Hood was closed. The cylinder walls are rusty the piston heads are fine, i might have an old battery laying around i can try to crank it with... so i assume the engine is worth the work? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Well a little surface rust is fine but if it can't be turned over from the rust it's too much. It can be over bored and new over size pistons and rings put in... but you also have to find a head for it. As you bought it you already have it. Do you need a Z24 engine? or just thinking of selling it? Not really worth much in this condition to someone else. 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 How do I post pictures on here? I dunno how much rust is too much rust. I guess I don't NEED a z24 I just really wanted one, where I live it's pretty rare to see a 720 so I would rather just restore it to it's former glory and it's only gonna be a daily driver anyway. Again my question is, should I bore it out or get a new engine? I have everything to the engine except for the head. Wiring is fine for what I can see. Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 5 minutes ago, DaralSucksAtNissans said: How do I post pictures on here? I dunno how much rust is too much rust. I guess I don't NEED a z24 I just really wanted one, where I live it's pretty rare to see a 720 so I would rather just restore it to it's former glory and it's only gonna be a daily driver anyway. Again my question is, should I bore it out or get a new engine? I have everything to the engine except for the head. Wiring is fine for what I can see. If the only problem is the rust in the bore then sure... bore it out... You'll need new pistons .... No matter what the engine needs to come out.... If truly stuck flip it over and remove the crank and rod caps.... Then hammer the pistons to break them free.. piston rings will break but who cares.... as long as the rods and crank are good... machine shop can fix the rest.... 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 10 minutes ago, Crashtd420 said: No matter what the engine needs to come out. Yeah, It do. I guess since no one's said anything about a new engine (aside from a new z24) I'll just bore this one out, pretty sure the rings are stuck so it shouldn't be too bad.. Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 1 hour ago, DaralSucksAtNissans said: Yeah, It do. I guess since no one's said anything about a new engine (aside from a new z24) I'll just bore this one out, pretty sure the rings are stuck so it shouldn't be too bad.. Fixing this is probably easier.... Motor swapping isn't too hard but has it's own challenges... Mostly comes down to your mechanical and electrical abilities and local emission rules... I'd price everything out and decide from there.... I saw heads around 600 to 800.... and complete motor around 3000.... Not sure what the cost will be to recondition your block... If you decide to motor swap I think the KA would be the easiest... But A 720 guy would be better to answer that.... I dont know about motor mounts or if you can use your transmission.... A good wrecked donor vehicle is a good way to go also.... 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Can I get decent torque out of a ka? Still need to be able to haul things but if I was gonna do a swap I'll probably be a V6. I know where I can get a 22re for 800 if that's a good choice Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 17 minutes ago, DaralSucksAtNissans said: Can I get decent torque out of a ka? Still need to be able to haul things but if I was gonna do a swap I'll probably be a V6. I know where I can get a 22re for 800 if that's a good choice V6 will be a tight fit.... 22re is a good motor but you will need the transmission and it's definitely not bolt in.... And the ka was the next motor nissan made after the z24... They have 2.0 and 2.4l blocks... Z24 is 95-135hp Ka around 135-155 Torque Z24 98-145 Ka 152... Just stock numbers pulled from the web.... so yes its and improvement... 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 2 hours ago, Crashtd420 said: V6 will be a tight fit.... I am well aware lol. Been trying to find a good fit for if I ever want some power. Thanks for the info it's much appreciated. Quote Link to comment
Wildcat Walker Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 (edited) I did one of the first KA24DE swaps into 720, and SR20det into 620. Wiring the 720 was twice as hard as the 620, the engine and chassis harnesses on 720 are far more complex than the 620. And I didn't use a can am box. If you don't have the ability or patience to interpret schematics and translate that into a dirty old harness, then don't try it. Edited April 12, 2023 by Wildcat Walker 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 I could care less about the amount of work it will take, if my truck drives and it's reliable I'll do it. Quote Link to comment
Wildcat Walker Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 But you suck at Nissans... 1 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 I mean. Yeah, I suck at just about everything I do. But if ain't rocket science... It's just 36 year old nuts and bolts... Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 Just now, DaralSucksAtNissans said: ain't rocket science... ...the wiring ain't rocket science right? I know that shits difficult... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 KA will require a lot of EFI wiring and a high pressure fuel pump. ]2eDeYe on here sells custom engine and transmission mounts for this swap. For reliability the KA should be rebuilt. Or find a good running D21 Hardbody, low mileage and buy just for the engine and transmission. Rebuilt replacement engine will likely require the old block and head cores which you don't have. Over bore and new over size pistons and rings, new rod and main bearings and gaskets and another head would be cheaper as you do the wrenching. 1 Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 Most the D21's I see aren't being sold as parts trucks, don't see many at a junkyard either around here... Tons of inline 4's though so I could check through those but as for miles those are probably in the 2-300k range. Also my trucks a auto but if I can change that for under 2k I probably will... Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 9 hours ago, DaralSucksAtNissans said: Most the D21's I see aren't being sold as parts trucks, don't see many at a junkyard either around here... Tons of inline 4's though so I could check through those but as for miles those are probably in the 2-300k range. Also my trucks a auto but if I can change that for under 2k I probably will... Just find the cheapest d21 one with a good engine they dont need to know your intentions... the running donor is the best price option.... You get everything you need and you know if it runs good or not... Fyi I have seen high hp claims from people with KA engines... seems like you could easily double the hp if you wanted... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 KA24E about 140 hp, the KA24DE about 150 hp, the VG30E about 165 hp. Either is almost a 50% increase in power over the Z24. Also perfect EFI starting and running. You might swap your 720 body and box to the D21 chassis. The wheelbases must match, but note the wheels are about one inch wider apart per side. Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 EFi wiring is not hard. You just buy the harness from someone who makes one. Seriously though, if you have an entire harness, and can sit down to figure out what does what, building your own standalone harness can be done in a few days. Nail it to a sheet of plywood or drape it over the motor. Either way, it's not as hard as it sounds. Would I repair half a rusty motor? Maybe. Sounds like it's missing a bunch of parts. Sourcing those parts may prove to be the hard part. Quote Link to comment
DaralSucksAtNissans Posted April 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2023 19 hours ago, Crashtd420 said: Just find the cheapest d21 one with a good engine they dont need to know your intentions... the running donor is the best price option.... You get everything you need and you know if it runs good or not... Fyi I have seen high hp claims from people with KA engines... seems like you could easily double the hp if you wanted... Cheap d21 is out of my price range sadly, my truck was less than a cheap d21 which was very surprising. But if you know any d21's or anyone that owns a d21 for sale I may be interested... Sorry if I seem rude... Quote Link to comment
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