2 90 laser need advice

[canonize-ryda]

i bought 2 1990 turbo rs lasers and one has a bad tranny and the other has a motor that blown the timing belt and i assume bent all the valves since the cams wont move in either direction. now what i am asking is should i just swap heads and do the timing belt over or should i just swap in the other motor that sits mated to the bad tranny in the other car? what would be easier for somone who doesnt have access to a cherry picker but only for limited time. (if i can find one to borrow that is) thanks in advance in any information

 

[shadow001dsm]

Its going to be a gamble on the motor with the snapped timing belt, if the cams dont move at all then the valves are spent. Also if they bend enough not to move at all the piston probably have a some nasty chunks missing. I would take that motor apart and check it over first. If it is usable then use it. otherwise i would say just swap the motors and have the other laser for a project build since the motor and tranny will need to be re-built in it.

 

[Dhan]

Switching over the head and then doing the t-belt is something you could probably get done in a weekend. That's what I would recommend.

It's hard to say though, because you don't know the condition of the motor. Do a little more investigating of each engine and it'll be pretty obvious to you which option is easier.

 

[canonize-ryda]

could i do a compression test on each cylinder to find out if there is any damage? is there any consequences if i swap heads and do the timing and try to start it? i mean i paid 100 bucks for both cars and they are pretty complete, i just want the quickest way to get one running and use the other for parts.

 

[Dhan]

Doing a compression test on the motors will illustrate their condition pretty quickly. Definitely a good idea. Tell us what numbers you get.

Like shadow said above, the pistons might have some holes shot through them, but if you swap the heads you'll be able to see in an instant. Examine the cylinder walls for scoring while you're in there.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

To swap the heads you're going to have to pull them both off anyway. Pull them and check the pistons for damage. Swapping the heads is easy enough without a cherry picker, not so to swap the whole motor. Don't skimp on the timing job though, get all new components and water pump and it will save you a lot of heartache down the road.

Timing Belt Checklist - Removal
Timing Belt Checklist - Install
Timing Belt VFAQ (Timing Belt TSB - ENHANCED)
Timing Belt Tools : Jay Racing

 

[canonize-ryda]

well the motor in the bad tranny car has a brand new timing belt installed and brand new water pump. could i swap out that new water pump and timing belt since they barly have any miles on them? and i dont have a compression tester handy so is there a cheap and simple way to get some compression numbers? thanks

 

[shadow001dsm]

Why dont you just swap the trannys? thats by far faster and easier.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

Why dont you just swap the trannys? thats by far faster and easier.

Very good question

 

[canonize-ryda]

the one with the good motor has it half prepped to be ripped out and its in pieces and hard to see if i have everything thing there, one of the guys working on the car died and before so had told previous owner he had lost a piece of the motor and halted the project. they sat for a few years then i bought them up. whats involved in changing trannys, i kinda wanted to use the one with the good tranny since the interior/exterior is in better condition.

 

[shadow001dsm]

Then that will come down to personal preferance on which of the 2 you want to have as a dd. And Lik 9!clipse said if you swap heads you have to pull them both apart. where as you can just swap a whole motor. But the down side is that you dont know the complete history of the two motors. Its better to check them over yourself. So that way you know everything is installed correctly.

 

[canonize-ryda]

ok i will get to it here in the next few days since the summer is being a bi*** and not showing its face here much. the other car is maybe 12 miles away since i havet towed it here yet, should i tear one apart before being able to get right to the other one? or can i get to work checking into the one with the broken timing belt and go from there? thanks for all this usefull info

 

[shadow001dsm]

Heres what i would do. I would get both cars to your respective work space for both of them. I would assess which body i wanted to use, then that would determine what parts out of the two vehicles i was using. Obviously take the one that in better shape to use as you daily driver. Then check the motor that the timing belt snapped on, and see just how much damage it did. (it could me more of a hastle to rebuilt the one that snapped the timing belt, could yeild more problems in the future.) I was take the good motor and check it over real good and do a compression test on it and make sure its within spec. if it checks out then put it in the shell you want to use then swap the good tranny on it and you should be set. It sound easier than it is. But stick it out and youll be happy with the out come.

 

[canonize-ryda]

yea i know the engine with the bad tranny is good he just stopped driving it after reverse and 2nd went out, i first seen this car maybe 10 years ago and it was owned by the same guy the whole time so im shure i may wanna use that ones engine. but i will take apart that one to see what damage there was else the valves, thanks

 

[DSM1G90]

Swapping interior stuff aint that all hard to do .... 14mm 17mm and a 12mm socket does most of the work..

 

[canonize-ryda]

well not just interior but the exterior is amazingly better too. the other one has the front bumper near hanging and the fenders are off it. no idea why..