a87 questions

[honda_stomper]

Hey so ive got a few questions about my lz22 setup. I have reason to believe either my rings or my valve seals are bad so I tried looking for just the valve seals but cant find them anywhere. Is there a particular set I should pick up or a site that sells just the gasket set for the a87 head? Thanks guys

[kelowg]

Autozone or oriellys. Seals only or included with head gasket kits.

[honda_stomper]

Alrighty which truck/ engine did that a87 head come on? My area has cute but not very knowledgeable ladies working the counter so that'd help a lot lol

[flatcat19]

I'd think seals from any L headhead will work.

 

I'm sure the parts catalog does not signify head ID.

 

Something with an L18.

73-74 610 or 620 for an A87.

[datzenmike]

Only the '74 had the L18 but any L series valve seals will fit. Intake and exhaust the same.

 

13207-21001 at Nissan, cheaper elsewhere. Maybe $2-$3 each?

 

 

Valve seals can be done using 4 or 5 feet of nylon rope. Tie a large  not in the end and stuff the rest down the plug hole at start of the compression stroke. Turn engine by hand until piston compresses the rope against the closed valves to hold them. Change the two seals or go to bed and finish in the morning, not worrying that the valves will fall into the cylinder.

 

Never tried compressed air. Looks too risky and you need electricity, a compressor and fittings. My way you can do off road in the woods.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Factory OEM Nissan are the best stock type seals. The rubber is high quality and lasts a very long time.

 

Racing type seals are usually more firm.

 

honda-stomper, no offense but it amazes me how many times people ask where to get parts. The dealer is usually a great place to start and an automotive machine shop is the next best thing. Every medium size town has a machine shop.

[honda_stomper]

And what did the z22 come in? Sorry for all the questions

[honda_stomper]

Im sorry I should have specified what im talking about. I can get stock gaskets but I was wondering if the racer brown cam or any of the massive porting done to the head would change anything or better recommendations for gaskets and seals.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

OEM Nissan head gaskets are the best. You may have to midifyit if it's a Z22 with an L head, but that should be pretty much self explanitory.

[honda_stomper]

Yea ive read a bit about that but im gonna start with the valve seals because that seems to be the only reason oil is gathering around the edge of my air horn on my carbs.

[datzenmike]

'82 and '83 S110 (200sx) and the '81-'82 720. The early 200sx Z22 engine was the same as all Z22s used in the 720 but from January '82 and on a different piston/rod combination was used on the 200sx engine

[honda_stomper]

Is there a big difference in length or strength of either of those?cuz I was told my lz22 has custom piston which is going to make it a pain to find rings for.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Custom pistons usually have a name cast (forged) into them. Call the pistonb manufacturer for the specs. Or bring the whole piston and rod with rings down to your local machine shop and have them order the right rings for you.

 

It's only Greek to you. People who speak the language will figure it out without hassle.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Yea ive read a bit about that but im gonna start with the valve seals because that seems to be the only reason oil is gathering around the edge of my air horn on my carbs.

Why would stem seals be the cause of oil getting into your carb?

[banzai510(hainz)]

autosport in Seattle can figure this out for you

[honda_stomper]

Well Its getting there somehow so I figured its either getting past the rings or its getting past the seals unless for some odd reason someone decided to put oil in my tank and keeps slowly taking oil out of my pan over time

[datzenmike]

Is there a big difference in length or strength of either of those?cuz I was told my lz22 has custom piston which is going to make it a pain to find rings for.

 

Yes. One has longer piston and shorter rod the other is shorter piston longer rod. They work about the same.

 

Your LZ22 may simply have been bored to 89mm and KA pistons used or trimmed VG30 pistons. Technically not 'custom'.

 

 

Does a blue cloud follow you down the road? puff of smoke on shifts? Does it restart with a puff of smoke? How much oil is lost over, say 1,000 miles? Place cardboard under the engine area and check for drips. Leaks are still a cause of oil consumption.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

There are many causes of oil consumption, but oil stains around the carb are not indicative of stem seals. More likely stuck oil rings.

 

Try adding a quart of ATF (automatic trans fluid) to your engine oil. It is a detergent oil and if left in the engine long enough, can loosen stuck oil rings. Leave it in for 500 or 1000 miles and then do an oil change. It may smoke pretty bad during this time, but that's actually a sign that it's working.

 

For all the nay sayers, I have done this many times, so don't be afraid.

[datzenmike]

Dello 400 and Rotella T are light diesel oils and have more detergent than gas engine oils.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

The idea is a hot and fast engine cleansing. When I was a kid, my grandfather would wash his hands in ATF; gives you an idea of how good it works as a detergent.

[honda_stomper]

I was told by a coworker when I past him that I had a good size blue cloud produced. Alrighty ill try that atf idea. I was also told it was a Monroe track motor so maybe ill try the compression ratio to see what im getting but im waiting on my unilite cap and rotor cuz mine is toast. Should I drive it any different with the atf in it?

[flatcat19]

You won't get compression ratio without know what pistons/head cc. 

 

 

Do you mean a compression test? Cylinder sealing pressure?

[banzai510(hainz)]

atf in it?

 

???????????????auto trans fluid?

 

 

UNilites still need or use the stock coil and ballast resisitor. Thats what makes them last.

I havent changed my cap and rotor in my cars in 8yrs

 

 

rebuild the motor and be done with this

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

atf in it?

 

???????????????auto trans fluid?

 

 

 

Yes, read the earlier posts. It works.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I was told by a coworker when I past him that I had a good size blue cloud produced. Alrighty ill try that atf idea. I was also told it was a Monroe track motor so maybe ill try the compression ratio to see what im getting but im waiting on my unilite cap and rotor cuz mine is toast. Should I drive it any different with the atf in it?

Well you shouldn't hammer on it all the time, but some hard driving might help.