new to eclipse, not to cars, swap head?

[tryingtofixthis]

ive done my fair research since buying the car, but i would still consider myself a newb, especially to Chrysler engines. not a big fan of chrysler but ive never ran into a 2.0 dodge that was just junk, plus ive always wanted an eclipse since i saw the commercials since i was a kid.so i bought a used eclipse today on a whim. for what i think is a fair price given the parts on the car, small mods, and the fact i could probably part it out and still make some bank.

so this is what i got myself into, previous owner was using it as a DD and the timing belt snapped. new timing belt got put on, and it runs, but the valve nearest to the timing belt is making some major noise. still runs and halfway decent despite the noise and all the other valves dont seem to making any noise. but i had to move it a few miles but i never went over 1500rpm.

gonna take the head off tomorrow cause i know, one cant tell the damage till its apart but..

so these are my questions
1. what the chances i could rebuild the head?
2. swap head?
4. piston damage? its still running... i just need a stock DD for now, if its not too scored.. run it?
5. what are the basic weak points of this engine? i was reading about head gasket and head bolt lengths

any help much appreciated.

i know buying a 420a complete engine is pretty cheap and i should have no problem putting it in, will get done down the road more than likely. but a good cylinder head is 125$ another engine is 2-500, so even if the engine with a different head only makes it a month or 2 b4 it blows, 125 is worth it IMO. unless i get a hole in the hood , but then again i could use a hood scoop.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Timing belt broke and bent a few valves! Not that bad of a fix, but you guys running it is only making it worse and worse. You at the least need a rebuilt head with new guides and a few new valves, a new head gasket and head bolts/studs and any other gaskets that go with a head job. Once you get the head off you will be able to see the damage to the pistons. Of they just barely tapped then you can simply sand them flat in the damaged areas and be ok. If any metal or anything got to the cylinder walls and did damage you will need to get that fixed or the car will never make good power. Anyway post some pics for us when you have it apart and we can help you more.

 

[tryingtofixthis]

Yeah man thanks for the encouragement I need it . Been meaning to get a camera but funds are tight. I'll take some basic pics with my phone.

Guides and everything? Cause I'm not gonna be able to afford any machining from a shop. And I don't really have the.proper tools to get too in depth on machining the head.

So probably best bet is to take the head off and inspect, hope cylinder and walls are fine and replace the head for 125+gasket set, or swap the engine for around 3-4

Any body know how heavy the engine and trans is?

Yeah man thanks for the encouragement I need it . Been meaning to get a camera but funds are tight. I'll take some basic pics with my phone.

Guides and everything? Cause I'm not gonna be able to afford any machining from a shop. And I don't really have the.proper tools to get too in depth on machining the head.

So probably best bet is to take the head off and inspect, hope cylinder and walls are fine and replace the head for 125+gasket set, or swap the engine for around 3-4

Any body know how heavy the engine and trans is?

 

[Dsmkauai]

You shouldn't need any machining to the head. But if the valves are bent than the guides are most likely cracked or screwed and need to be replaced also. You can have the head shaved if needed, I would have a shop inspect it first and go from there. Find a trusted machine shop and take the head to them for inspection and go from there. If you just have a few bent valves you should be able to repair the motor for cheap. How many miles on the motor? Check here for 420a tips and guides! Articles: 420A-specific - DSM Forums

 

[jared_gibbs]

If you can afford it I'd just throw a junkyard head on there. Yards in my area warranty them and will replace if they crack during a pressure test and 90 days. Rebuilding the head looks like a chore and if you can't afford machine work you may not have an option anyway. Not to mention if you get the timing belt wrong you'll be back in the same predicament. Imagine spending $300-$400 at the machine shop to F it all up!

I got excited with my first Eclipse too and bought a 93 SOHC. I sank a shitload of money into that one. I wish I'd just gotten a decent turbo one from the start. I now have an AWD turbo and love it! Had I thrown as much money into my current ride than my former this car would be killer!

Then again it's nice to have an experiment car.

These cars are old and one dumb thing after the other is going to break. I'd consider parting this one out, getting your money back, and buying one that you don't mind repairing.

Just my $.02

 

[tryingtofixthis]

Lol. Yeah probably should part it out, rebuild engine and sell for some.decent money. But I think I stand to make the most part have fastest if I get it running, or swap an engine in. But it's not that bad I plan on using it as a DD for a little while so I can sell my focus wagon. I'm not looking to anything but stock right now or in the future. Unless some crazy good deal that comes along. That can bump the cars value. No I'm looking for a 1989 Celica to sink my money into.. 5s

Oh and its got 140k it's just a quick little flip later. I get her running under 200 with the condition she's in I stand to make a hefty pofit . Decent interior dash and back seats in good shape, strong fresh clutch trans shifts good supposedly rebuilt by previous previous owner.3 years ago. Synchro in second is out or play in the.shift stick. Needs some very minor body.work, no accident original title, fresh tires probably a 9, alignment is off, Newer struts, pads rotors before winter, and an exhaust cat back a year ago that sounder pretty good from what I could tell. Windows work leaks every thing.But.the. washer.fluid what more could you ask for. Good flip or good dd for the average mechanic

 

[Dsmkauai]

Ya bro shouldn't take much to fix then. The 420a is super simple and easy to work on if you ask me. I've rebuilt tons of them in all kinds of cars.

 

[tryingtofixthis]

Just talked to machine shop, gonna be Cheaper to go with.a head that works currently but I may.change my mind cause the price difference is not much and the car would probably run better with rebuilt fresh lapped valves, small port, cleaned and polished. Starting in on head removal now get pics in a bit.


Also this is my second dohc timing and my first was cake cause It wasn't out of time. What position do th camshafts need to be in?

 

[Dsmkauai]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-420a-specific/262003-timing-belt-replacement.html

 

[tryingtofixthis]

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Took about 3 hours went slow being careful putting bolt back in holes had to cheat and slip the timing belt off cause the one rim with a lock lug was by the belt. Took the throttle out as well with the head.

All 4 pistons got 4 imprints of valves or varying depths. Piston 1 & 2 had the deepest impressions on the intake side, maybe the deepest is 1/2 cm if that. I think most can be sanded down pretty good. And the postponed where.so weld well, held coolant from.the head for 30min or so. I'm just wondering how long an like this could last. Trying to post some pics might have to post links. But I'm looking for a head or engine now. Also my head had a small crack intake side t was leaking oil.

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Also no debris found.

 

[tryingtofixthis]

Okay swapped in a different head hooked everything up new gaskets all around the top end, cleaned it up me etc. Put everything back together for the most part. Part but now no spark. I'm not sire where to start really, ecu is making a high pitched noise and the wiring harness is all messed up. I could swear there was a sensor uncooked when I got it and it ran but I think I plugged it back. So any ideas? Other than that , it's in time, and turns over no problem.

 

[Marciano A Maidesil]

I live in Federal Way I need shop to bring my 95 DSM to live. I need to rebuild my engine and transmission.