I bought a project car about 2 years ago. I picked up a '90 Maxima with a locked up motor for $200.00. I dropped another motor in it and after giving it a test start realized that it has a horrible exhaust leak. Both manifolds are leaking. After some research I saw that this is a common problem. It has a misfire and I quit messing with it. I have decided to get it going. I am going to pull the motor again and just redo the exhaust. I am going to order a gasket set and replace the valve cover gaskets etc. Before I put the motor in I put in a new timing belt, water pump, thermostat, plugs, wires, cap, and some other misc items. I need to get a new high pressure power steering line. Any other things I should consider or think about?

PS it's not an SE.

 

Were there any broken exhaust studs? That's most likely the common problem you read about. You would probably have noticed that they weren't all there before you put the engine in though.. Personally I'd leave the engine installed. Even if you have broken exhaust studs, they can be replaced without pulling the motor, it's not as easy but a lot of people have done it. Your miss is probably an injector or 2 which isn't any reason to pull the motor.

 

well the motor is in but it isn't completed. I have plenty of time so I am going to just pull the motor and do all the seals and everything with the motor on a stand. It looks like it is leaking between the block and manifild so i am sure it is the studs. they didn't seem loose but oh well.