Big decision for a rookie

[jarhead]

Hi all. I decided I needed a new project and thought that restoring one of these unique beauties would work out perfect. I still remember ripping around our block in my highschool buddies '68 2000.

Anyway, I picked up a partially restored '66 1600. It was running before storage and was supposedly "low miles". We couldn't get it running but turned over easily so I took it home. I fixed some coil and ignition wiring. Went to turn it over again and it locked up. Turns out it has a broken valve.

My question is---my master plan was to swap out a SR20DE at some point. I was hoping that point would be a year or two from now. I really just to drive that baby. But now I got myself into a vicious circle of "logic". If I rebuild the head, might as well rebuild the engine. If the engine is out, might as well do the tranny.....

Should I just bite the bullet now and do the swap? If so, anyone know someone near CT that could help me out?

[Bob2]

I would pull the head and fix the valve, give the other valves a quick check and lap them a few times, then put back on car and run it. Oh, and turn the motor over a few times when you have the head off. Inspect the piston in the affected cylinder real close for a crack or busted piston. You should be able to do all that pretty cheap. You would be able to drive it much sooner and maybe even like it and not consider a swap.

Looks like a good start!!

If you don't want to go that route, then PM me and I have a 67.5 1600 non-smog head that would let go.

Bob

[Garm]

^ Good advice. Get it going, drive it, enjoy it, and when it really blows up OR you get really bored, do the swap (and do homework and save your money in the meantime).

[spl310]

I am with Bob. Fix it, or hit up Brisco to see if he has a spare 1600 lying around.

[notoptoy]

Agreed! Fix it, Drive it, Fall in love, and decide what to do from there!

[dbrick]

I am with Bob. Fix it, or hit up Brisco to see if he has a spare 1600 lying around.

Sorry, only have 1 and I need it. I would fix and drive it, lots of us close by. Nathan probably has a head in Albany NY area or Bobs will work Get it all sorted out and driving nice and then if you do a swap, it will be ready to drive when done, not fix this fix that. If you come to NJ, you can drive my 66 with a 2000, built by Bob2 above. Might convince you to stay vintage. As an added bonus, my wife will be sneaking parts out of the garage and into your car when I'm not looking

[RCMike]

Couple thoughts...


First, before you start a swap, drive it.. It will motivate you. It will give you something to compare to. And frankly, they are just fun to drive. Hopefully you can find a head or get your head fixed cheap. If you really plan to swap, then do the least you can to have a car that drives well..


Second, before you start a swap, make sure the money is there to finish.. These cars are too much fun stock to take it apart and not finish it.. And did I tell you to drive it before you start? Because they are fun and it will motivate you to finish..


Third, I strongly recommend you find and talk to someone who has done the swap. Michael Spreadbury and Kevin Desirello have both done multiple of these swaps, and have the kinks worked out. Knowing what the issues are before you start will make it go SO much smoother..


And if you can, drive the swapped car back to back with the stock car to help you decide if it's really the route you will go.. I did and my car is almost done.. I cannot wait!



My two cents..

[jarhead]

Thanks guys! That's the answer I wanted to hear. The more I research Michael Spreadbury's site the more I realize that the swap is something that will take me at least 6 months to accomplish or cost me a ton of cash.

[Garm]

It's unanimous! That's rare on here, definitely tells you something.

[roadsterdude]

I would buy more roadsters...

Buy one that you can enjoy now and do a swap on your current non running roadster....

You guys didnt think of this scenario did ya....buwaahhaaaaaa..