420A 420a has no compression

[Kelz D]

Hey how's it going?
I just bought a beat up 96 eclipse base with a 420a for 500$. This car is going to be my learning mule so I can learn how to break down and build cars from the ground up. Once i learn more later down the line ill get a gsx or gst. My friend has been drag racing for 8 years and my SL own a shop for 15 years before enlisting so I have two guys to show me the ropes. They're on leave right now so I can't ask them.

1st. The guy who sold it says the car lost compression one say while driving so after making sure there's no a Crack in the block somewhere, I want to buy a full rebuild kit for it. I've seen a few on ebay that range from 200-300$ but I'd like suggestions from anyone who knows a good kit if any?
2nd question, I've been reading on these forums that this engine has gasket problems down the road so I'd like to nip that in the bulb so to speak while we have the engine broken down you know. Any good gaskets to beat the leak before it happens?

3rd, I don't plan to throw a lot of power in this car. Like I said this is my learning mule. Maybe a few bolt on's headers, cams ect. I noticed BC stage 2 cams are around 300 (blew my mind because my SL's cams for his mustang where almost 800!) Would I need/recommended to get new strong springs too?

Lastly, are there any other problems that typicallycome with this engine that I should look out for? I'm thinking wince we're rebuilding it I could buy the upgraded parts now instead of in the future.

Thanks for any advice help this newb out.

 

[darknezz7]

Want some advice? Keep it stock, stock rebuild, learn, clean the car up and try to sell it for atleast what you put into it.

intake and exhaust might net you a few hp, don't even bother with cams in a 420a

If you have the head surfaced AND block decked, head gasket should not be a problem. I dont use gaskets for oil pans, just some good rtv.

Ive used those cheap kits, mizmoto I think was the seller, several times on STOCK hondas and toyotas, they are all doing fine some with 20k+ miles. Now will that cheap oil pump and gasket last 200k like the originals? Almost certainly not.

The evergreen kits seem to be holding up well in a few more performance cars I've built.

To learn, build and sell, Id say go for the cheap.

Save your money for the 4g6x engines

 

[Kelz D]

Want some advice? Keep it stock, stock rebuild, learn, clean the car up and try to sell it for atleast what you put into it.

intake and exhaust might net you a few hp, don't even bother with cams in a 420a

If you have the head surfaced AND block decked, head gasket should not be a problem. I dont use gaskets for oil pans, just some good rtv.

Ive used those cheap kits, mizmoto I think was the seller, several times on STOCK hondas and toyotas, they are all doing fine some with 20k+ miles. Now will that cheap oil pump and gasket last 200k like the originals? Almost certainly not.

The evergreen kits seem to be holding up well in a few more performance cars I've built.

To learn, build and sell, Id say go for the cheap.

Save your money for the 4g6x engines

Which pump would you recommend?
Ultimately if I get this car running well enough I might give it to my brother for his birthday next year. But not if pumps and gaskets keep going out

 

[darknezz7]

I'm also using a mizmoto gasket set on our jetta 2.0, no leaks so far 8k miles.

I like gates for timing belt and water pump, I have to of put on over 100 and never had a gates water pump fail, that I know of... Ok well one did shortly after but thats because the trans cooler built in the radiator cracked and well, trans fluid in the coolant and coolant in the trans fluid, you get the idea.

Oil pump should be oem, or at least a known good brand, I'm not sure what they offer for the 420a.

Are you going to have a shop do the block rotating assembly? (install pistons, crank bearings)
You should have the valves ground too, most cars even by 100k miles are not sealing completely anymore

It might be worth it just having them do that then you can put EVERYTHING back on the block

I had a 420a eclipse, it was not fast and I didn't ever see it being, once I learned I couldn't swap a mits engine in I planned to sell it. Lost compression a week later .