"Nasty Engine" to "Nice Engine".

pmac

Well-Known Forum User
most S30 owners want to have "nice" engines in their cars. The owner of this "nasty" engine is no exception!. He has been walking past it in his own home workshop for over a year without finding time or motivation do do anything with it.He is a good friend so earlier this week he ask me "nicely" if I could convert his "nasty" engine" to a "nice spec":D

WARNING!!.........the following pictures show distressing images of neglect and misuse.:eek:






Waterways that have been starved almost to death of antifreeze.:(
Oilways showing signs of serious neglect with oil turning to carbonised sludge.:(
Its only 35 years old. Its too young to die so Im gonna save it:cool:
 

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SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Useful post if followed up with photos Pete as I bet a lot of engines look like that if disassembled.
 

pmac

Well-Known Forum User
Head and block off to be dipped tomorro.
There was just one freeze plug left to remove ....the one in the head.
As you can see it all looked good n rust free on the outside.
Once removed you can see the amount of corrosion on the plug and the build up of hard rusty deposits on the inside.
The L6 engine is can be prone to local overheating at the back of the head due to poorer coolant flow so getting this back to as new will help.
 

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pmac

Well-Known Forum User
Head and block back from treatment. Very "nice":D
They are now as clean , rust free and carbon deposit free as the day they were new in 1981/3.
Compare each pic with the similar area before to see for yourself.
The outside of the block will be painted tomorro before any deterioration takes place. The inside will get a coating of oil.
The owner is sending his own chosen shade of paint.................:confused:
Sadly I fear it is a little dull:(
No matter at least he doesnt want it painted in Nissan seasick blue:rolleyes:
 

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pmac

Well-Known Forum User
As predicted ....its a dull colour and Im banned from adding any holographic flake ....in fact Im banned from putting lacquer on it.
Satin grey it is then. Customers choice.:thumbs:
Its done and the rest of the block is lightly oiled.
Pistons are on the way from the US.
Once they arrive I can send it all to be bored to suit.
In the meantime there are 60+ threaded holes to ream/clean out with the correct size taps....:(

Enjoy the pics!.
 

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pmac

Well-Known Forum User
TBH guys Im not really bothered what colour they get painted. Its not the purpose of this thread really.
What I am trying to demonstrate is some of the work and processes that go into the making of a quality rebuilt engine that will have longevity and reliability.
I do like custom painting and when left to it i will always pimp it up if I can.
Here is another "nice" engine/build that Steve is just finishing. This should be back with its owner in the next couple of weeks. He has already seen the block and likes it.
 

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pmac

Well-Known Forum User
Today I did a "two for one " trip on the M1 and brought another block home along with the one in this thread..
I just want to divert a moment from the build to show anyone not familiar with the wide choice of pistons available two examples that are at opposing ends of the spectrum..
I am using an aftermarket replacement cast piston in this build. The other block has a special order JE slipper piston to be fitted.
There is a marked weight difference between them. Cast replacement 594G. JE slipper 297G
So On six pistons in an engine that add up to 1782g of extra rotating mass..
I may be able to get rod weight comparison too if anyone is interested.:confused:

The next step in the build now is to do a dummy build with one rod and piston to determine if they need licking down to size.
More pics and description as it happens.
 

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pmac

Well-Known Forum User
Dummy build done....and as predicted the pistons sit too proud for this build.
So they have been licked down to correct height.

More cleaning and thread tapping required before the final assembly starts.................
 

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Jimbo

1978 260z in yellow
Club Member
hi pmac, out of curiosity do the pistons sit high because you've had the block skimmed?
or are the pistons just too high anyway because they're aftermarket?
 
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