L26 Cracked Head – Please Suggest Engine Modifications

[Iceberg]

Hi Chaps,

So after 6 months of every weekend spent at the shop, Z is ready for registration.

However I found out that I am loosing coolant so we checked the sump and it has traces of coolant. Sad day.

Most likely culprit will be cracked head, the plan is to send it to the shop and see if it can be salvaged.

But I though while we will have the engine open we may as well get some modifications done.

What I am asking is for suggestions or recommendations for any other work we should get done during this time as it will be hard to find an opportunity.

 

9 months ago I knew nothing about the mechanics or welding etc. But I have learned a lot and I get a lot of help from my step brother who is a qualified mechanic so please dumb it down for me so that I could understand what I should get done.

Work will be done by us, budget of max $2000 on the engine work.

Car is just a tourer for weekends and some communising into work during sunny days.

Please help.

[cracker]

I'm just starting to tackle engine stuff myself so can't help with that type of advice, but I do have a spare L26 (P30/E88) sitting at home if that is of any consideration - ie. use the head from mine (it's come from a running car a couple years ago) and do any mods on that, plus have a spare block?

 

I was asking $150 for it but happy to do $100 plus post. You might even find a member has something sitting around that is more local to you, and might be better than trying to salvage a damaged head. 

 

Cheers,
James

[Riceburner]

Electronic dizzy, a 72degree cam and an expert tune of the SU's with some different needles I what I'd recommend.

[gav240z]

Been here and done it before.

 

Read this..

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/13419-best-spent-money-on-an-l6/

 

I would agree with Alan 4.4 ratio diff would wake her up.

[C.A.R.]

2k wont get you squat.

1k will be in cylinder head repairs, welding up the damage (if it can be repaired!) K-lined guides with new valve seats fitted & re-cut (they'll be stuffed), milled, new steam seals, possibly new valves (expect the stems to be shot).

733A cam is around $250 & you can retain your original springs & lash pads.

Don't bother with a 30yo old flogged out 280ZX / MR30 elec dizzy - they are more trouble then they are worth.
Get a BRAND NEW Performance Ignition distributor - $800. 

Get is tuned PROPERLY by someone who KNOWS what they are doing.

In the end, performance doesn't come cheap - how fast do you want to go?

[G]

Lurch is right.

 

If the head is cracked, you now have a shiny, oily door stop.

 

Unless it's some sort of highly modded or rare head there'll be no point spending any money on it. What head is it? Has it been modded?

 

Put up the bottom end specs and the forum will tease out which replacement head is the most appropriate for you.

 

Is it L24, 26 or 28?

What pistons are in it (flat top or dished)?

 

I have an N42 kicking around if you need one (and if it's appropriate).

 

Good luck.

[Iceberg]

Hi All,

 

I though i put in a well deserved reply. Much appreciate everyone input.

 

I have been postponing the replies as i hoped to restart the project without luck. I am so close to finishing it.

 

The update is that she is registered and have been parked in the garage for 3 months now. Very sad but i am saving for a wedding and a bathroom renovation + nursery. Work is very bust and i am trying to get fit again.

 

At least she looks reasonably good now and has plates.

 

 

 

Do not know what to do to be honest. My daily also broke down yesterday on 40 degree day so i spent 4 hours by the side of the road waiting for RACV tow truck, money i had saved for the head repair went to the silly RACV sign up fee and towing and now there is not much left.

 

I think i need to find a good head for her and just get her back on the road rather than fixing my daily.

 

Anyone got one sitting around i sure would appreciate it for a fair price.

 

 

 

[Yamahacam]

_{Not sure if I read your story right but are you sure it's a cracked head and not just a head gasket. I had a corroded water gallery which made for a very thin section of gasket. Have you got the head off yet?}

[gav240z]

If you want to keep it on the road, find an L28 out of a wrecking yard that you can confirm is running and hopefully not loosing coolant. Stick it in the Z as a temporary motor and rebuild your original L26 on the side. If numbers matching is important etc..

 

No point doing a half-arsed head rebuild. Most second hand engine heads are probably well worn by now anyway and as Lurch mentioned need all the fruit done to them. That's why I spent good money on my E31, do it right. Do it once. My 2 cents.

[dat2kman]

The bloke is a bit short on coin, and all he gets is "gotta do it up" stuff.

Yes, as above, it could just simply be a head gasket let go.

You'll need to get the head removed, by a shop that KNOWS Datsuns, not some lcal "she'll be right, I dun wun f these 25 years ago" types.

A clse inspection should reveal the issue.

[Iceberg]

Thanks for the input. Will try to take her apart next weekend and have a look, This weekend i need do some major work on my daily and get a RWC and sell it.

 

I do like the L28 idea as it would not need to be engineered.