ok, had the sentra in the shop to diagnose why the red light that looks like an oil can was coming on, and why I was blowin a quart and a half of oil a week. turns out the bearings are shot and the front crank seal is causing the leak. But the engine still runs smooth and very strong.

a guy who comes into work on a regular basis is selling his 94 sentra SE, exactly like mine but it's an automatic and has a tach (go figure, that's standard in nissans I guess). there are no scratches or dents, and the interior looks like it was just driven off a dealer lot. he's the original owner. problem is, it has 208,000 miles on it. I guess it's not really a problem, it's just steep for what I want in a 10-year-old car.

yesterday I was given the opportunity to buy an engine with 87K on it for $300 and a guy I work with would help me drop it in, but I'm thinking of buyin the SE for $600 and dropping it in there. or do you think I should just replace the crank seal on the one I have? I know it's easier, but mine is scratched and dented to all hell and the interior is shot and this other one is in beautiful condition. they're both the same engine, the 1.6L GA16E. is an automatic any different than a standard when replacing an engine?

or does everyone think I should get an SR20 and put it in there?

ahh, I hate decisions.

 

This is easy, go with the one with the body in excellant condition. Then drop whatever engine/tranny combo you like.

 

Make your own SE-R! Get yourself a SR20DE from a SE-R or a G20.

It might be an idea to buy the other one....and wait until the motor actually goes before putting in another one. Plus you have a doner car for a 5-speed conversion.

S

 

lol, somehow I was afraid you'd say that.

I briefly thought about getting the SE and seeing if I could drop an SR20DE in it, but I don't know how many modifications are necessary. I know a lot of stuff won't bolt up. I'm not too positive on the actual differences between the GA16DE and the SR20DE other than the 1.6 has two timing chains, where the 2.0 only has one. I'm kinda hooked on this guy's 94 SE cos it's in beautiful conditions and it has a decent set of rims. it has a nice interior and the SE spoiler I've been looking for. I hate to use mine as a parts donor, and park it in the alleyway and pick it clean, cos it's been good to me up until now. I mean it still runs good and strong, to drive it you'd never know there was engine trouble, except for the bearings rattling. and the quart to quart and a half of oil it loses per week. I put a lot of effort into getting it to run like new and I'd be disappointed to see her go.

right now I'm tossing back and forth. I like the SE but the mileage is a little high for something I'd drive on a regular basis. I'm not too sure on the history of that car other than the guy's the original owner. at 208k, I'd be doing the timing chain. I have 141k on mine. I don't know if I wanna drop the new engine in mine and keep the SE around for a mileage accumulator, or swap motors in the SE with the new one and keep that as a main vehicle, or just do what sarin said and drive the SE until the motor goes. I guess the best thing I can think of is get the SE, drive it for a few months, and if it doesn't leak or rattle or tick, leave the engine intact and put the new one in the sentra I have now.