Ulburner

I am buying a roller (fd) from a member on here that has basically been apart since he bought it. I was thinking LS swap since it is not coming with a motor or transmission. After adding up what i need/want in a motor, the conversion parts etc, I have some sticker shock (The engine i want to build would be about $7000 by itself) The car is missing the majority of the front clip (has a bumper cover). I found what i think is a pretty good deal on a jdm front clip that comes with a low mileage no mods that i can see motor ( still has the factory air box) and 5spd. The fenders, headlights, bumper, hood all are straight. I have no idea how long this motor has been setting and this one was not even listed in the companies inventory, they found it when i called to inquire looking for front sheet metal. I needed the headlights and fenders and having the attaching hardware is will make it easier to put everything on the car. I am looking at the engine as a bonus if i can get it running and i am not getting my hopes up.

I am thinking prime the rotors and do a compression test.. If it passes proceed to flushing the coolant system out with something made for alluminum and conduct a pressure test. If it holds pressure then drop it in the roller, replacing all the hoses belt etc and see how long it lives. Am I missing anything?

If it needs a rebuild so be it, I will probably stick with the 13b for now.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Even a front clip is a crap shoot.
The engine could be toast.
Best bet if you are doing that is to automatically assume it needs a rebuild.A compression test will tell you if it is Internally ok,but not if the coolant seals are done.That can't be verified unless the Engine is up and running.(maybe a pressure test,but then again..a lot of work to get it tested too)_
You have some decisions to make..Welcome to the Forum..land of lost Wallets!

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

You may want to search in the 3rd Gen. section about RHD "JDM" cars. Use terms like "importing". Basically it doesn't matter how many titles you hold to the car, or if the car has been plated at state level, it's not legal. It's contraband in the U.S. and can be seized. It may even be why the current owner has been letting it 'sit' all those years. Sounds like he may even have been parting it out. The other story that sounds suspicious is the company that wants to sell you a front clip that they just happened to 'discover' in their inventory. They don't know anything about it....??
If you don't know anything about the cars, I suggest buying one that's running properly to start with, and doesn't have the steering wheel on the wierd side. You're not going to save any money going your route.

Ulburner

The roller I am buying is a good old american car with a title and the steering on the right side the left... I have seen pictures of the front clip and it is straight. I'm not buying it for the engine but for all the parts the roller is missing. No reason not to try the motor...

Ulburner

I have a coolant system pressure tester that you basically block off coolant passages except the inlet and pump the system up to pressure (32 psi i believe) and see if the pressure leaks down. I will do that before I bother mounting it. I am familiar with coolant seals failing. I daily drove auto/x a 87 in the early 90's to college and had a 85 5 letter that was a stripped down race car. I have a feeling they are toast but i have to pull the engine for a rebuild anyhow figured I would test it first...

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

That's not what I understood from your title and initial post, but OK. Still think you'd have been better off starting with a complete running car....but good luck. It's nice when someone does rescue a car.
Know that ECUs, engine harnesses and emissions will be different. And 5th gear will be shorter in the JDM transmission than the NADM version. From what I've seen and heard from buyers of JDM stuff, many overseas owners define 'routine maintenance' a little different than we do.