Questions and Answers

Nissan L Engine Resurrection
Q. Thank you for being there. I would like to know if an engine is still worth fixing after being stored for 10 years? It was in running condition when I put the car up on blocks. My particular interest is in the block. Can the cylinder walls be salvaged or must they be bored out?

A. The Nissan L24 engine was a damn good engine. In fact all the L and A series engines were just about bulletproof.

10 years is a long time. I have seen engines that have sat for this long start right up with some fresh gas and a new set of spark plugs.

But chances are the rings are frozen to the cylinder walls. The cylinders having to be bored would depend on how many miles are n the engine and how well it was maintained. If you are going to tear the engine down, I would carefully inspect the cylinder walls and if there are no deep scratches or nicks, and the ridge is almost non-existent, I would hone the cylinders until they are clean and then measure them.

Chances are they will still be within standard specifications and you will be able to reuse the pistons. Of course new rings and bearings will be needed. If not, they can be bored. You want to have the machine shop bore the cylinders to match the whichever oversize piston and rings you need. But they should know all that already.