Emilio's Rebuild & Improvement Build Thread

[emiliorescigno]

Well it's back together with the rust free door and whatnot, and went with a cruise with Rob (92nsx), Kelly (ilovemysupra), and Sean(funky_monkey58). We got some pictures from Rob's camera so I'm shamelessly putting his pics in this thread...

However, we did discover the engine still burns oil...so I'm thinking it's time this car left my ownership, likely a cracked block. It's time for a car I can enjoy on a regular basis, not just work on all the time...a part out, or at least a return to stock, may be in the near future.

 

[RazoE]

that sucks..

it was originally an NA, right..?


swap in a cheap JDM 7MGE (I got mine for $400) and sell the car as a whole...

 

[emiliorescigno]

So, Sean (funky_monkey58) has a spare good GTE block around his shop that we will be swapping in in the next week or so. If we're lucky, it'll solve the problem and the car will be ready to drive, but I may still sell it.

Over this last week, I've been tearing down the car and getting it back to stock and ready to sell. My gauges, stereo, radiator, and everything are getting pulled. If the block fixes the problem it might just all get swapped back in :rofl:

 

[92nsx]

What ever way you the best luck with everything. Since the weather is getting nice out maybe time to step up to a targa top. Maybe I can sell my sup and finally get my vette

 

[emiliorescigno]

What ever way you the best luck with everything. Since the weather is getting nice out maybe time to step up to a targa top. Maybe I can sell my sup and finally get my vette

We'll see what happens...a Targa Supra would be fun, but these damn cars spend more time being worked on than running. An MR2 may actually be in the near future...

 

[92nsx]

An MR2 may actually be in the near future...

That is until you sit in one and your head hits the roof. Or maybe it is just me, a good friend in HS owned one (non-turbo) and I only had to drive it once before finding out how small they really are.

Also have you talked to Jim about it yet? Im sure you wont be able to get a hold of him ( I have been trying for the last year just to get my paper work) but it might be worth a shot. If anything ask to get some sort of refund, CASH!

 

[emiliorescigno]

Well as a new update (got damn I need a digital camera), I pulled the engine last night and Sean and I got the new block on the stand and started prepping it to get the head and everything swapped onto it. If we're lucky, the oil burn will be fixed?

 

[92nsx]

:crossing fingers:

 

[emiliorescigno]

Well...block swap is done. We put the engine in the car and fired it up, started driving it around the block, and it overheated (or got close to it). Girlfriend was home so I didn't have time to check it over, except the thermostat is fine. It could be something as stupid as bubbles in the system, but who knows for now.

Also - it actually doesn't burn oil now. We tried and tried to provoke it, but it's burning absolutely NO oil. I'm sure this time..

Really.

When the block was out we checked the piston ring clearance on the motor Jim built and it was WAY off. I'm going to hopefully contact him soon and see what I can do to get some sort of refund or something.

 

[92nsx]

Good to hear that you found the problem. Sad to hear about Jim :cry:
The # have for Jim is 952-200-7385. But I havent called it in some time. Here is the web site for the shop that he did work for Im sure he is still there. http://www.tpis.com/
Find the shop number and give that a call too.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[emiliorescigno]

Sean and I played with the car last night, trying to figure out the overheating issue. The car runs poorly, sputters, and overheats. The cooling system gets crazy pressurized, the thermostat works, and we did a compression test.

The compression test results were fantastic, but it's still classic BHG symptoms. I'm pretty sure after re-using the Cometic MHG twice on a non-machined block, the HG is leaking. My plan as it is right now I think may be a straight stock HG swap, throw it back together, and sell the car.

I've been still trying to contact Jim, hopefully he'll respond soon.

 

[emiliorescigno]

News on a couple of fronts - it turns out the car was overheating because when we swapped blocks, we didn't adequately prep the block or headgasket, so we popped the head off AGAIN, soaked the HG in acetone, scrubbed in down really nicely, took the three layers apart, and sprayed them totally over with copper gasket sealant, torqued the head down to 85 ft/lbs, and presto! No more overheating. I drove the car to work this morning with no troubles.

Now it's time to start cleaning up the rest of the car and making it nicer - woot!

I also got a new camera for my birthday (yesterday) so my build thread will finally have pictures again.

 

[92nsx]

WHOO a build thread with pics (to come) FTW!! Good to hear about the HG and you were able to drive it. Crossing fingers for you.

Dam it now reading your sup is on the up and up makes me want to go out to the garage and work on the turbo. Maybe I should just pick up a rebuild kit for the 26 since I have lots of time on my hands.

 

[emiliorescigno]

I spoke to soon. Overheated on the way back from work.

Fuck.

 

[92nsx]

I spoke to soon. Overheated on the way back from work.

Fuck.

Ummm....... Maybe rig some thing up so you can apply a little air pressure(10-15 psi) to the cooling system and see if you can hear it hissing or blowing out anywhere?

 

[emiliorescigno]

I looked at the car a little more, the oil is classic BHG milkshake. I'm pretty sure this 5-times used Cometic HG meeting with a non-machined JDM block is my problem.

My plan now is likely just going to be throwing on a nice stock HG, torque it down well, and selling the car. It's given me too much trouble over the past years, and I just want it gone. I'll likely just rock out my DD Honda for the next couple years, graduate from school, and then get a MKIII again....

Oh yeah, still no pictures, lol.

 

[integra08]

Good luck with the build

 

[emiliorescigno]

Well it's time for a REAL update with pictures.

Headgasket isn't sealing properly, so I'm going to put in a stock one, my Cometic MHG has not been re-used FIVE TIMES, so I think I'm gonna go stock and just use/sell the dang car. I drained my oil, and look what I found!

Plays song "Milkshake"....

 

[funky_monkey58]

My luck is ownly shown up by yours emilio.

 

[IJ.]

Fitting an MHG to a non surfaced block 5 times ISN'T bad luck..... :nono: