89 240sx issues

[SX_Tuner]

What's up guys. I finally got me a 240 hatch a few weeks ago. I was really excited when I bought it. When I looked at it, there was minor rust on the car. But it all looked very fixable. It's my project car anyways. I didn't really care. The engine didn't run. The previous owner said it was a headgasket that blew. I bought the car for $500, and towed it home. I began to take the motor apart, and decided why do that, when I can just get an SR motor. So I thought about getting an S13 clip, and putting that on. Well, I start taking the body panels off, fenders, hood, bumper, lights. And run into some major rust problems. Now, I am not sure what to do. I probably could get a front clip, in its entirety, and have that welded in place of my front end. But I'm afraid that will cost more than the clip itself. I figure, maybe I can put the car back together, and try to get my $500 back.....but I can't get the pink slip till I smog the car, which isn't running. Then I thought, maybe I could just part the car out. But I don't know if I could get $500 back from that. So, those are the three things that I can come up with, parting it out, selling the car, or doing the whole front clip. I am posting here to hopefully get some opinions. So if you actually read this whole thing, thank you, and I am very open to any and all opinions. In short, PLEASE HELP!

Thanks,
Ozzy

[RanciD]

Rust is BAD. I can tell you from experience. My friend bought a '91 Nissan NX2000 pretty cheap like your S13, and it too had quite a bit of rust in there. He said "it's weight loss", I said the car's not worth modding. He ignored me and bought an SR20 which we swapped in. It's now about a month and a half later and he's looking for another, rust-free, NX2000 to put the engine in. He cracked the frame. Moral of the story: rust is BAD! Now what to do next depends on the condition of the car. If the interior and exterior are in good condition for the most part then you could part it out and probably make $500. Don't take my word for it though as I've never done it before. The fact that the motor is practically worthless right now doesn't help things though. One way or another, I'd get rid of it and find a new car to use for your project.

What I'd do is check out you've got on the car in good condition to sell and estimate whether you can make your money back by parting it out. If not then get it running and sell it. Parting it out would be better in my opinion because later down the road when you get another 240SX for your project you'll still have some parts left that you may want or need.

[SX_Tuner]

well, I can tell you this. The fenders are in great condition, no scratches, no dents, no rust. The hood is pretty much the same, except for one scratch. The interior, I would say is excellent. I think the previous owner took care of that better than anything else he ever had. Right side door looks clean. Things that are shot, or pretty much useless, anything suspension wise, trunk lid, and most of the motor. Some parts might still be good. But yeah....anyone else want to chime in? Please!

[deviousKA]

can you not sell a non-running car in your state? you could probably get your 500 out of it even though it doesnt run selling it as a parts car. you should still be able to transfer ownership title.

[SR20DETpwr]

I feel ya on the rust issues w/ these older 240s. My 89 coupe has major frame issues. My motor is in and almost running already w/ some mods. I noticed how bad the frame was when I jacked the car up to install my exhaust - the frame actually collapsed a little bit under the weight of the car! My trucks tranny went out recently also, so I'll get the coupe runnin, but won't drive it hard. In the meantime I'm searching everywhere for a 240 hatch/coupe that I could swap all of my parts between the two. Then when I go to purchase a new car I'll trade the coupe in w/ the KA motor and tranny. RUST SUCKS - good luck.

[Rusker]

I bought my 90 for about $1000 and didn't notice any rust on the strut tops or much of anything in the engine bay. As for jacking up the car and checking underneath. Maybe I'm afraid to. lol

[Rusker]

How BAD is the rust problem on your car?

[EchoOfSilence]

yeah, mine had rust on it too... goto a shop and and ask them to weld something on or something...

[zero.counter]

When I bought my 89 coupe for $75, I found lots of rust in the engine bay, and dremeled the crap out of it...cutting out very badly damaged portions.

[rancid240]

408-978-2199
san jO
[email protected]
i got dibs on lug nut plates if you are going to part out
lug nut plates and lug nuts
hit me.....

:wtf: ???????????????