1986 6 Speed, Great car, just needs engine. $1000. Seattle

[mattsmith]

Engine developed a tick that just wouldn't go away. So I pulled it and found #3 piston with missing skirt and oil ring. Rest of the car was/is in good working condition.



Good things:
Mostly Straight, some dings but good paint otherwise
No Major Rust
Working 6 Speed
New Bumper Hitch
Trailer Light Wiring
Roof Rack and Roof Box (not shown but nice and lockable)
New Tires, less that 10K on them
New Shocks
New Muffler
New Front Wheel Bearings
New Radiator
Clean Interior
Good Glass
14" Ford Escort Wheels
A/C Car
Lights/Gauges all work

Bad:
Needs New or Rebuilt Engine

I have the block at the machine shop and I'm trying to decide whether to rebuild it, or just sell the whole car. It's about a toss up for me as it's a great 4wd car. I made 3 trips to California with this car over the last 3 years with 4 people, bags, and towing a trailer with no issues. Engine is out and apart but all the pieces are set out and kept together methodically since I'm still thinking I might rebuild it. I'd give you all the pictures I took when taking it out/apart also.

$1000

Thanks,
Matt
206-612-7158

[dlb]

rebuild it! you've got it all out so you're halfway there! or better yet, put a 4ac in it. slightly more power, which would be especially useful for towing.

looks great with the escort wheels and bigger tires. i remember that pic or a similar one from a while back. what size of tires are those?

[Petros]

I would rebuilt it, good for another 100k to 200k miles. The skirt fails because of piston slap, meaning too much clearance in the bores (wear). this means you need to have it over-bored to next size piston. And of course replace all the pistons and ring to the new oversize. While the head is off you can have the intake valves and seats reground, replace the exhaust valves with new ones, and new valve stem seals of course. new bearing bearings if necessary, new front and rear seals, and you will be good to go for another 100k miles. This can all be done for about $500.

[mattsmith]

I appreciate the feedback. Tires are 185/70 R14. I don't think I can do it for $500. If someone else can, this is the car for them. I'm not really in a position to spend the time to rebuild at this time.

It definitely needs an overbore due to a nick from the piston, otherwise things weren't too worn in there. You can talk to the machine shop if you think you might want to rebuild this engine. The car was running and had 180 psi in all 4 cylinders when I pulled it. Just had a tick that wouldn't go away.

[Petros]

compression is not the issue, I have seen it several times in these engines. with too much clearance on the bore the piston skirt slaps the cylinder walls and it fatigues the skirt and it breaks off. the pistons are just cast aluminum.

You might see if you can get an imported engine for it, this model is so old though it is not as common to find as it once was. tyically only about $400 for a complete long block.

[mattsmith]

Got an engine from Peter. So it's not for sale anymore. Should be running again soon!

[peculiarodor]

did you lift the car to accomodate the 14"s or were able to put those on stock? what did it do to your gas mileage? how does it handle? i'm a country rat with an 88 that doesn't like the beat up roaads i'm, driving her on.

[Petros]

most of the people, including me, that installed 14" wheels did without any mods. But we used a lower profile tire, typically 60 ot 65 series tires, so the rolling diameter is about the same (but you get a wider tread foot print) and the speedo is not affected. The reason it is done is not to get more clearance, but to improve handling qualities. The 13" steel wheel is pretty flexible and you can feel the difference. Even a 13" alloy wheel helps, but the 14" also reduces the tire side wall height which makes it handle and ride more firm.

It greatly improves handling, ride quality (not as much the swishy-washy feeling) and braking because of the larger tire foot print. Some have even gone to the 15" wheel, but the tires cost considerably more and if you drive on gravel roads like I do, the risk of side wall damage is very high (side wall gets pinched between rock and the rim damaging the sidewall).

[peculiarodor]

Thanks petros. I too am driving rutted gravel roads. Will most any 4 lug 14" rim work or should I stick with Japanese, ie mazda, Honda, toyota?

[dlb]

Will most any 4 lug 14" rim work or should I stick with Japanese, ie mazda, Honda, toyota?

check this list here. it's very comprehensive.

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8122