Just bought this car and it wont start. When cranking it it does occasionally back fire.
Course little information from previous owner.

Don't even know where to really start, will be replacing the plugs and wires tomorrow.

 

Backfiring when attempting to start usually means the timing is way off. Check the cam timing. Also you should do a compression test to make sure the valves and major engine internal parts are OK. During a compression test disconnect the power to the distributor to prevent damaging the coil.

 

Well after testing the compression it looks like I am going to be doing an engine swap sooner than expected. Anyone got a good engine for sale in the Dallas area.

At least I got the car cheap enough to where this isn't too bad of a deal.

 

Compression will be bad if the timing is wrong. Also you should make sure no one set the valves too tightly. Take the valve cover off and make sure all the rocker arms go slack when the engine is rotated to a place where the valves should be closed.

 

mk378, PO was a liquid mechanic. Found all sorts of bottles of quick fix stuff in the back seat. Mentioned the 8 empty bottles of oil, 2 bottles of no-smoke and empty anti freeze too him before buying the car so it actualy cost me more to tow it home than what I paid for it. Said he was going through a quart of oil a week.

cylinder pressure.
1: 92 2: 120 3: 61 4: 139

Now I may do a leak down test to verify that it doesnt just need a new head gasket but I doubt it at this point.

 

Yeah sounds like the rings are gone. The best cure is to replace the whole engine. For stock performance / daily driving, you can drop-in many different D15 or D16 engines.

 

Was thinking about ordering an engine rebuild kit from japanengines.com.
Only thing I see missing from the kit is water pump and timing belt idler. It does come with a timing belt though?

Will have to do an engine tear down first and see if it is re-buildable.
Japan Engines

 

For less than $500 you should be able to get a complete used engine from a local seller with a guarantee.