What's up? Thanks for your time.

Here is my problem. I currently own a 1992 Nissan 2wd truck with almost 200k miles on it. The driver's side door has a pretty good dent in it, it has paint cancer in several spots (very little rust on it), and needs a new tailgate (well, used tailgate from the junkyard).

I think it is time to sink some cash into my ride or try to buy something new. I bought this truck with 3 miles on it back in '92, and cannot afford a new car, and used ones are a crapshoot, so I am thinking about restoring it.

Engine wise it runs great, smokes a little... Do any of you have any advice on what to get checked engine wise? I have access to a lift, tools, and a couple of mechanics that will do work cheap. If I can get the engine and trans. fixed up, my boss will help me paint it, all I pay for on the paint job is the paint!

I know this is a very broad question, but what I need to know is what all would you check or replace on a 4 cyl engine with almost 200k miles on it? Or would you look to buy something else to fix up?

It is a 5 speed stick.

E

you could repaint the truck now---and not worry about it when you do the mechanical work. with 200k on a truck, theres many things that are very worn. engine, tranny, u-joints, rear end, wheel bearings, door hinges, front end, body bushings, well you get my point. tranny wise, theres alot of moving parts in there. first theres the syncros, then the gears, then the bushings/brearings that hold the shafts in. rear end wise theres, ring and pinion gears, spider gears, and 3 big bearings.

the engine takes a paragraph by itself. 200k on an engine is alot of wear and tear. you said it was smoking--thats piston rings/piston bore wear. you have to get an engine bored/honed and replace the pistons and rings in a rebuild like this. the crank bearings probably have alot of wear on them---you have to get it turned/polished, and replace all of the bearings. you need to get the rods resized. i belive you have the 2.4 overhead cam right? well you have to get a valve job, might have to replace the valves if the stems are too worn. you will have to replave the valve guides tho. you have to replace the cam bearings, inspect the cam for wear and tear/make sure the lobes are within specs still. make sure your lifters are still nice and still within specs. check the spring tension. have the fuel injectors cleaned OFF of the engine---best way to do it. then theres belts, hohes, clamps, fluids, new intake/rod/main cap bolts. lots of stuff involved.

you can buy a crate engine already rebuilt for round 1200 bucks. thats the easyest way to go. saves time and money most of the time..

lot of stuff im leaving out...but thats the important things......

I would get a tune-up, oil change, and probably replace the head gasket (could be your smoking problem).

As for anything else, I had an '83 S-10 that blew a head gasket and did some other stuff, and I got a complete rebuild for it, for like $700 (the shop did all the work). That's something you may want to check into. Nothing major, just a standard rebuild. New pistons and everything, get the block dipped in that chemical stuff that gets all the grease and oil off for better compression and stuff, you know...the whole nine yards.

All the stuff lwrs already covered, really.

I asked this question here because I wanted an honest answer! I was thinking of getting the engine rebuilt, or replacing it. My mechanic friends help some, but they are looking after their wallet. (Like I am when I work on their computers LOL)

So so far I am thinking about the rebuilt crate engine. The paint job can wait, I would rather have a well tuned hooptie than a shinny thing on the side of the road! This is going to take some serious research on my part, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

I was hoping 6 or $700 would get my engine in great shape, but like you said, there are just too many moving parts, and I can only do minor work on an engine.

Well, looks like I have some Google work to do, thanks a lot for your time! If I get this project underway, I will be back for more info!

And any ideas are greatly appreciated!

E

Check The Compression First. It Will Tell You The Lowdown On Engine Status....
If The Compression Is Very Low, You Might Look For Another Vehichle To Have As
A Main Ride And Keep "old Faithful" For A Backup... Sincerely, Hopper

Quote: Originally Posted by HOPPER Check The Compression First. It Will Tell You The Lowdown On Engine Status.... If The Compression Is Very Low, You Might Look For Another Vehichle To Have As A Main Ride And Keep "old Faithful" For A Backup... Sincerely, Hopper

$700 could get you a decent rebuild, rings, gasket kit, valve job and maybe a decent cam w/ lifters.........