blownb310

There are two other distinct possibilities. The rocker shaft could have broken [from bolts backing out] or a blown head gasket between two cylinders.
In the case of the rocker shaft, a simple replacement and valve adjustment will be in order. Additionally, you'll need to heli-coil the damaged rocker shaft threads in the head.
The question still remains, is it worth it? I'd say yes, as long as the car's not a rust bucket.

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'93 SE-R
'89 B12 4WD GA16DET
'86 B11 Euro-Rallycross car
'81 Datsun 210
'77 Datsun B210

 

Gsolo

i'm suprised nobody argued with my post about the compression. I've had a lot of people in the past tell me that 120 is ok for all cars.

__________________
Student at UTI Avondale
2nd place SkillsUSA/VICA WA State Automotive Maintenence '04
had an 87 pulsar...still planning CA20DET
1970 Chevy BelAir 350V8 300hp...soon to get M21

recycled_toddler

You're spot-on, Gsolo; They're around 175-180 in good running shape. BTW, nice 'shine-on' to the techie.

I got a rear disc brake setup off a '95 Altima if anyone wants to swap me an NX2000 rear disc setup. Any takers?

__________________
Later, taters; Off to a better place. Catch me there!

Gsolo

why don't you use the altima rear?? although then you'd have different bolt pattern...hmm....could redrill it if you wanted.

__________________
Student at UTI Avondale
2nd place SkillsUSA/VICA WA State Automotive Maintenence '04
had an 87 pulsar...still planning CA20DET
1970 Chevy BelAir 350V8 300hp...soon to get M21

recycled_toddler

Altimas have large discs and larger bolt pattern than the Pulsar/NX. Theoretically, I could drill out the (large) rotors for smaller bolt pattern, but that would leave marginal amount of meat between bolt-holes and centre hole. I just want the mod to be as bolt-up as possible without too many major modifications; I already know I'll be machining adaptor brackets for between the rear spindles and calipers. That's no problem; I just don't want to get too far off the semi-beaten path if I don't have to.

Plus: My 7-spoke Ultras wouldn't work on the Altima spindles...

__________________
Later, taters; Off to a better place. Catch me there!

Gsolo

yep. easier to keep it all in the family than to go with other models

__________________
Student at UTI Avondale
2nd place SkillsUSA/VICA WA State Automotive Maintenence '04
had an 87 pulsar...still planning CA20DET
1970 Chevy BelAir 350V8 300hp...soon to get M21

recycled_toddler

I got it taken care of! YEEHA! I swapped the Altima discs for two Pulsar discs and kept the Altima calipers; Was able to get rear hubs off a '91 NX. The hubs, unlike the pre-'90 Sentras/Pulsars are separate from the drums and still work with the front discs...although I'll have to lathe the radius down a tad to fit in the discs. It won't affect anything, the front hubs are whittled down, too. I'll keep y'all posted how it turns out. Next item: Disc caliper e-brake cables.

__________________
Later, taters; Off to a better place. Catch me there!

Dave_27

hey man,
I had never worked in a car in my life when I bought my sentra. It came burning oil so bad the spark plugs would become covered in oil and stop firing. any way the point im trying to make is that these cars are not that hard to work on and the parts are generally cheap just go out and buy a repair manual and follow step by step and before you know it your done. My car had the same problem as yours the timing belt snapped and the pistons just destroyed the valves but after rebuilding the engine it runs beautifully and its the funnest car to drive, not to mention the funnest part, working on a car when you have very little idea what you are doing, its a riot.

in short "Giv' er' its well worth it"