Elrusodan

Hello everyone! I got problems with my car again...
I just want a RELIABLE car. I would also be nice to make it quick too, but thats not really necessary.
My car is a 92 DX hatchback, auto....
About couple months ago I had overheating problems and I changed headgasket. It worked great, except that I did not take the head to a shop to resurface. Later (next weekend) I found out I had stuck spark plugs. I changed 3 out of 4 spark plugs. It was working okay, except on some cold mornings it would idle rough until it would warm up... I did not feel like taking the head off again, though, so I just left it like it was...
A week ago it started leaking oil from under the crank pulley, but I ignored that too...

But today, it just wouldnt start. I pulled out the 3 spark plugs (the 4th one is stuck permanently) and the spark looks good on all of them... But I noticed a little bit of oil spots on the plugs... Is that normal? Is my headgasket messed up again?
I dont think want to mess with this motor anymore (it has 200k miles on it). Should I just swap it for a newer SOHC motor? And also convert it to a manual, while at it?

I live around SoCal (Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino counties). Does anyone know if it is possible to get a CHEAP and RELIABLE (legit) swap around here? Or those 2 things dont go together? I was reading around and found on forums that many people get rid of their HX motors, nobody likes those... I was hoping those could be cheap?

Or should I just start taking this motor apart again? I am not too familiar with motors, though... I will probably just break it more...

HELP!! What should I do?

Someone was telling me I should just get a newer corolla, but I like my hatchback!!!

Sleepyej1

swap in a gsr

Neebs

Oil on your spark plugs could be your ring seal or leaking in a valve seal. If oil is on the outside of the spark plug and not on the electrode, you have a leaking valve cover.

I suggest if your engine is giving you problems swap it for a D16y8 ( think they go around 500) and boost it if you want to be quick.

djessenz

What is cheap for you? Give us a price range and we will be able to help you. I would say it's time to cut the 92 dx loose and just get a 99 si, that would be ideal, pretty cheap, and very reliable! (Stock ftw)

Elrusodan

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by djessenz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What is cheap for you? Give us a price range and we will be able to help you.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I like the idea about D16Y8 someone posted above. $500 sounds great... But how much would it be together with transmission and all of the work (conversion to manual from auto?)
The reason I thought about HX, I was hoping it would be even cheaper than the Y8, and still reliable....
I am a broke student who works couple days a week, but right now I have a week off (for thanksgiving) and now I will try to make some money for the car. I have about $1000 saved, I could find little more, maybe $500... Then, (i'd rather not, but if I have to) I could use some credit card if I need more (I still have a couple I need to pay off, but my credit is good and I could get another one)...

I think GSR is alot bigger budget, with D-series I could still use most of the original parts: intake, ehxaust manifolds, the original ECU (just add some VTEC controller or RPM activated switch?), even the 2 original pedals, just need to add 1 more for the clutch.... That would save alot of labor, I think....
PS&gt; Performance is not really an issue... At least not until I graduate and work full-time

djessenz

For a daily driven car a D16Y8 is perfect, labor could be anywhere from $400-700 just really depends. If you can do the swap yourself, it pretty much saves half of the cost

Elrusodan

If anyone familiar with any good places and prices in SoCal:
Would $500 get me a good D16 or something with leaking seals and messed-up pistons, etc?
What about the price together with manual transmission? What price should I look for (for a good-wroking, reliable one)?

Also if anyone could suggest good places to go to around Riverside, Orange or San Bernardino counties... LA county is okay too, I guess, if the shop is worth it (I will be towing from Corona)