Craigslist $200 Engine (Hit or Miss?)

[GoGoGo]

So I stumbled across this engine on craigslist about 30 minutes after it was posted. The guy apparently got the engine as an extra one when he bought a 510 goon. The story was that this engine was running in the car but them lost compression and was swapped out for a L16. The pics showed a A87 head with some possible work done to it and an unknown block. The guy was a Toyota mechanic and really didn't know much about 510s but said that he was told this motor was a "crazy" build. I took a flyer and decided to purchase sight unseen thinking at least the head was worth $200.  

 

Went at picked it up last week and was able to take most of it apart over the weekend working at it when I had some time. Hoping that someone on here will be able to identify some parts for me. 

 

First pic of it still on the truck

 

On the engine stand

 

 

Definitely some headwork was done. Looks to be ported and polished to 38mm. 

 

Yup it's a A87

 

Already better than I thought! Z22 block...wonder if it's cracked?

 

Nothing exciting to see here

 

Now this is a little different...anyone know the manufacturer?

 

 

Stock cam?

 

Don't think so. Say Cal Cams on the back with the follow inscription (Cal Cams, M#227, 285 - 9) 285 = duration?

 

Head off and it looks like cylinder #4 had some water/oil in it?

 

Recognize the pistons?

 

More headwork. Likely upgrade to 44mm 280ZX intake valves and 35mm exhaust. How do they look?

 

 

Let's check out the bottom end. Tell me if you see anything of interest...

 

 

 

 

All done for now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TENDRIL]

haha its an LZ motor!!!  score for 200$ and it might be a "crazy motor"

[TENDRIL]

send the block and head in to a machine shop to test,

 

might have used a head gasket and forgot to punch the water holes in it 

[uberkevin]

I think a see some holes that have been drilled.

 

Pretty sure I had 7 holes going back on the passenger side.

[uberkevin]

[flatcat19]

Pretty stoked to land an LZ with head work done. Especially for chump change. 

 

 

Wow. 

[Draker]

Looks like a score!!!!

[banzai510(hainz)]

maybe just was a tight valve lash thats why no compression

 

 

has a big cam

[ownTer]

Very nice indeed. 

[datzenmike]

Stock Nissan cam that has definitely been ground. (hardly ant shoulder on the lobes) Measure the high and the low across the lobes and subtract them multiply by 1.48 and this will give you the valve lift. Aluminum retainers.

 

A87 open chamber head. (9.84 compression)

 

Z22 block pistons and crank

 

Definitely run without proper antifreeze coolant mix.

 

horror of horrors.... fram filter and look at the RTV uses on the oil pick up tube mount!!!!!! Never use that shit (RTV and fram) around the oil system.

 

 

 

Like Hainz sez. Check the valve lash and that the valves are closing. Fill each combustion chamber with diesel and see if any drip out either ports. If it is sealing good slip a new gasket on and crank it over for a compression check. If compression is good you have an engine. If not, hone and ring it. Those cylinders look good but if there is a ridge it probably wasn't rebuilt

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Well it definitely wasn't built by a seasoned Datsun guy, as the dipstick is still on the driver's side (not drilled on the passenger side), the boss on the block, under the center exhaust ports, that says Z22 is still there (you have to cut them off to run a header) and that RTV on the oil pickup. All dead giveaways.

 

On the other hand, the ports are nice and round, which is hard to do if you're not porting heads every day, and also the combustion chambers look to be worked a bit too, so that may be a sign that the head, at least, was professionally built.

 

I don't see anything that screams "loss of compression" which could actually be bad news. Cracked heads don't show easily and that could be the culprit here. Or a broken ring, or just worn out rings and in need of a valve job.

 

The 227 cam was a popular Cal Cams grind and is suitable for dual carbs, but if horsepower is what you're after, you may want a more modern grind.

 

Good score for the money.

[GoGoGo]

I agree with all your points (Stoffregen). Good headwork but slapped onto the block and from what I can tell the headgasket wasn't matched up to the coolant holes in the block so it might have even overheated. I'm pretty close to Rebello so I might swing by with the head and have them check it out. The block will probably be a good base for a 2.2 or 2.3 or maybe that long rod 2.1 that I've heard good things about. Really want a torquey motor that will rev to 7k at the same time. Wonder what they will recommend... 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I love the long rod 2100, but Rebello calls it a 2200 so be careful what you ask for. The 2200 I used to have in my street car made 209 hp and had almost 200 lb of torque. And it made power to 7500 rpm. It was a great track day motor.

 

The head gaskets need to have some holes punched out to cool properly so yeah, if they weren't, it could have caused it to overheat.