JDM Nissan Bluebird Coupe (ex JCCA Race Car)

[BEO 510]

You are not going to sell the car, the regrets will be terrible. Listen to Colbino and Doraemon. Just pause.
What is really wrong with the engine?

[KiKiIchiBan]

You are not going to sell the car, the regrets will be terrible. Listen to Colbino and Doraemon. Just pause.
What is really wrong with the engine?

It was leaking oil between the head and the block around the main gallery. I sent it to a 'specialist' who returned it in pieces without ever identifying the issue, they wasted time taking the chain tension apart into tiny pieces, disconnecting the throttle linkage, they removed the wiper motor and other random stuff and charged me about £1500 for the pleasure.

Looking at the pile of bits, the engine was poorly built, the pistons had wear marks that would suggest the bores weren't entirely round, there was some rust on the crank, slight scoring on the bearings and some scotchbrite left in the sump.

[KiKiIchiBan]

The problem:



Kameari said it looks like the head and block surfaces weren't machined properly, which they could have gotten away with if they used some sealant around the oil gallery (like the stock gasket) and just generally poorly built.

[Colbino]

Ouch! Crooks everywhere.

Find a quality machine shop, even if it's hours away and drop the engine/parts off to be evaluated and prepped. Ask them to order you the proper rings and bearings and either assemble it yourself or have them do the bottom end and you can do the rest. It's very satisfying! You're going to looooove this car when it's done! You can always sell it later on if you really want out of it, so don't be in a hurry to get rid of it. It's not like you're throwing away your money, you're just converting it into a hard asset.

[gooned]

Yeah I second this, it’s worth waaay more as a runner. Do research on a machine shop within a 4 hr drive, so many talented shops in the UK you just need to find one.

Even if it takes a while, chase it down, it’s still stored indoors correct? Shouldn’t be a panic sale.

My 0.02 (Can funds so even less to you )

[BEO 510]

A sad set back, very sad since you trusted that engine builder. But you only need new motivation, don't give up now. Like the others say, the know how is there. You know what to do, but could this be a start: confirm the piston is ok to reuse, check if the bores can be honed and still be in spec with the pistons, if not you can bore your spare block to spec with the pistons, assuming they still can be reused, it appears the crank and the rest of all the good parts are not ruined? Controlling everything could give some positive info. Just a humble suggestion to keep you going.

[KiKiIchiBan]

I finally concluded my research and found a machine shop who seemed to know what they were doing and seemed trust worthy so a few weeks back I dropped off what was my engine for some diagnostics.

The block is salvageable, its flat on all surfaces and doesn't need much work, no cracks etc so it's just the bores that are the issue, each are a different size and one has a taper in it. The guys who originally done it has closed down thankfully so they won't be ruining anyone else's engines.

Head too is fine, valve job was good, porting is poor but it's not cracked, doesn't leak or warped.

Pistons can be re used, skirts can be repaired.

Plan A) see if the block can be bored out to match the pistons this time (they were all a little tight) if so, do that and fix the pistons. Port the head, rebuild the engine.
Plan B) bore the block out a little more for 87mm pistons and go from there

The car is going back into the bodyshop for the engine bay to painted, certificated roll cage installed and interior painted.

[RONSLYCHUK]

Glad you are keeping it. You will have very nice car when all is said and done.

[gooned]

Happy to read the new plan, I think we all want to see this come together!

[Pista_510]

Yes, despite all the setbacks, I think you'll look back and be satisfied once all is redone and your awesome Coupe will be running again - great job, keep forging ahead!

[510rob]

That is a Merry Christmas kind of post to read. Glad the parts will still usable without too much fussing.

[Byron510]

Agreeing with all above, very glad to hear you’re going to keep the car and enjoy it. Looking forward to that “first drive” post
Happy New Year.
Byron

[KiKiIchiBan]

2024! 10 years in, so much life has been lived this past decade. I'm bumping this to keep myself accountable.

This year I will drive it again, and further than the 1 mile I did last in 2022.

There are holdups currently and as usual, the bodyshop were slowing it down. I'm close to taking it elsewhere.
The machine shop seems good and thorough, but super slow.
I have some new bits for the engine ready to go in.

Kameari Engine Works as usual. New set of forged 86mm pistons. Went with a smaller, lighter one than before and also got a set of their I beam rods with ARP bolts and KEW WPC bearings to pair with my custom forged crank. In theory, it should rev fast and high. Then a new metal head gasket and some bolts and gaskets to button it up.

I do need a new sump though. Anyone got a leak free competition oil pan?

[bertvorgon]

Glad to hear and see you are truck'in along with your car. It is too cool, to have let go.

I know how I felt 2 years ago when mine gave up in the garage.....

I am now so looking forward to season of driving!

Good luck as you progress along!

[Byron510]

Glad to see new life, and new parts on the bench.
I look forward to hearing about that first drive as well. Glad you came around, and are still in the game!

I need to get working on my race car too. Even too busy with other projects.

Byron