This 1990 Nissan 240SX XE was purchased by a relative for a parts car since she has a 1991 Nissan 240SX. She left it in
my backyard. However, I don't know why she didn't just switch engines and keep the body of the parts car instead, because the body on this car is in much better shape than her own. All she has done with the car is swap out the stock seats and the wheels (Which is why it's sitting on woodlogs).
This is the
only visible dent on the entire body.
And this...appears to be the largest factor of why it isn't running. According to the person my aunt bought it from, the head gasket was blown, which most of you know that can only mean a multitude of problems in the cylinder block and head. There are two courses I could think of that I can take from here. 1) Have the cylinder head and block machined and inspected for cracks or warps from the blown head gasket and see if the engine is workable or fixable. 2)Replace the engine long block completely with a remanufactured engine for under $2,000 (So far,
HiPerformer looks like the best deal with a 100,000 mile/7-year warranty on their engines).
A lot of dirt and oil residue covering the head cover. Other than that, the engine looks fine. Some parts just need polishing and hoses need to be replaced.
NO SEATS! Not really much of a problem compared to the engine. I can get stocks seats from a junkyard or get some new racing seats, but I'm going for cost efficiency for now. The interior is nice as is, even the seats were nice before they were taken out. No rips or tears anywhere. The leather on the top of the steering wheel is a little worn.
The rear has a few stickers on it from it's previous owner, I suppose (Triple A sticker and a graphics design sticker). The trunk needs a little fix up. It unlocks but it doesn't pop up when you pull the trunk lever on the inside. You have to pull it up manually, so I need to find the spring device to push it up upon lock release. And one of the bars that hold the trunk up once pushed up is missing and the mount for that bar is bent to all hell.
The body, other than a paint job and the one dent, is fine. But one thing I want to do
soon is remove the stock "flip-up" headlights and install some fixed ones. In the future, I had thought about a Silvia conversion, but I like the front end shape of the S13 as it is. The only thing I don't like is the flip-up headlights, because moving parts have a tendency to wear out and break like anything else. Secondly, when the lights are flipped up, they not only seem to mess up the aesthetic shape, they slightly alter the aerodynamics of the front end.
One really good replacement I've seen for fixed lights are made by a Japanese company called Abflug for the JDM Nissan 180SX (Identical to the American 240SX), but they're a bit costly. Then there are others of lesser quality which I may consider.
