Well now that i got your attention, I would like to finally get some pics up of my car. I'm in the process of rebuilding an eagle talon Esi, and for a lack of better words.. IT'S A _____. This car has been nothing but hell so far and i'll show you why! Enjoy.. And just for your info this is a 420A, N/a.. Some days it makes me cry..[:@][:@][:@][:@][:@]

First off are the head bolts.. That **** cant be healthy....
Second off is my timing belt (cut) and my timing belt cover (demolished)... I got mad.. GRR ! lol
Next is the top of my pistons, and the block after i removed the head gasket..
Next...my head with both manifolds still on
finally..back end pic, Bomex kit with (some random company) cat back exhaust system

 

Rough... ****in rough

 

Pretty much all pistons that are in a high mileage car will be black. Even low miles. Thats not bad

From what i can see, your cylinder walls look fine. As long as there is no deep groovs or anything that could allow things to seep past... you are fine.

I dont think pulling off the head was the right thing to do.

 

Yea id probably be depresssed if my car looked like that

 

id say it was almost needed though, both my manifold have stripped bolts on them, and they are very rusty. I want to replace the bolts and clean them up a little. And suposibily the "head gasket" was blown.

 

i don't deny that the HG was blown. mine did and it's a manufacturer defect. if you are looking for a decent daily driver, sure, go ahead and rebuild it. if you are looking for performance, swap out the pistons/rods w/ forged. or just replace the pistons w/ high compression pistons. the stock CR in a 420a is only 9.8. If you dropped some 10.5 or even 11.0 (both are just fine on 87 - 89 octane) you will get a lil more pep in your step. and if you are wanting to go turbo i'd go w/ a nice 9.0 - 9.5. this will make ur car slower until you get a turbo on there but it will be a lot les stress on the motor when you put some boost into it. oh, and w/ a built bottom end, ur good until 20psi.

 

I dont think it needs a rebuild.

 

you sure, I mean i guess it's worth a try just replacing whats broke getting an intake and reconecting the harness. Would save me some $ lol

 

i think most of my work is going to be in the head, I have to re-install all of the rockers, cams and cam gears, find bolts for the cam gears. Etc. could anyone tell me a good place to find specs for like the entire head on the internet... and one more thing. How the hell do you time a car right? i kind of know the basics, but what tools would help and stuff like that. THX

 

timing - align the cam gears to where the timing marks match up and are pointing directly at eachother on the inside. kind of have a "visual for you" -L cam gear -> ) <- timing mark -> ( <-R cam gear. then turn the crank to TDC when the arrow on the pulley alligns with the arrow on the block ur there. then put the belt on and tighten accordingly.