Another vehicle 92 Nissan Sentra

[user removed]

It was at operating temperature before 1 mile today and I could tell the difference even coasting and the exhaust ticked when I shut it off. I popped the hood and checked the over flow bottle. I could see the coolant level rising very gradually and it had pulled coolant out of the reservoir when it cooled off overnight before I drove it today. It (the gauge) moved further today in .3 miles that before in 5 miles!

Since the radiator is above the engines highest cooling passage, it has no bleeder.

regards
mech

[MetroMPG]

Sounds like that will be a decent efficiency boost.

[user removed]

U betcha, especially on any short hauls. I still want over 40 before it gets too cold.

regards
mech

[user removed]

This tank is looking very good, will fill tomorrow after a trip out to the gloucester flea market, where the gas might be under $3 a gallon.

Some interesting things;

New thermostat brings it to operating temp in 60 degree ambient within 1 mile of a cold start, middle of the temp gauge.

Reverse flow cooling system, thermostat feeds hot coolant to the bottom radiator hose. I know Corvette made big deal out of this like it was an innovation, but I'm fairly sure Nissan did it earlier. It warms up the tranny fluid quicker as well as feeding the coolest coolant to the hottest part of the engine first, which means more stable temperatures in the whole engine with the hottest coolant feeding to the bottom of the engine block, where the least heat is generated.

4 speed auto with lockup converter, 4 distinct "shift points", last one is at 42 MPH so you try to stay above that speed for best economy. Shifts are firm, indicating transmission is still in good shape.

Variable valve timing on intake cam with internally lubed timing chain and external electrically activated solenoid operation.

Valve lash range is .010 with maximum lash at .020, therefore no recommended valve lash adjustments for the life of the engine.

Single wire 02 sensor (cheap).

Hall effect distributor, no ignitor module to fail. Interrupted light not magnetic. Plug wires instead of individual coils that are very expensive to replace when they fail versus plug wires I paid 99 cents each for.

Hot wire mass air flow sensor, more accurate than a MAP sensor since it compensates for density and humidity, not detectable when you only measure the difference in atmospheric pressure with MAP.

Twin cam 4 valve per cylinder, direct cam to valve with no rocker arms that increase reciprocating mass in valve train and increase propensity for valve float. No palstic intake manifold or valve cover.

Runs perfect on the cheapest gas I can buy, none of the "trace surge" in almost every newer vehicle I have owned.

Today I finally fixed the rapidly blinking left turn signals, a trace of corrosion on the ground connection of the 1157 amber bulb for park and signal lights. Remove single screw pop out lens assembly, bulb socket, clean connection and reinstall. A few minutes to fix.

Sinatra now rests easy in the garage. I think tomorrows fill will be better than 40.

regards
Mech

[MetroMPG]

Love the car's nickname.

Sounds like you've taken a liking to this one!

Good luck on tomorrow's fill.

[user removed]

I love the idea of driving a $300 car. Many people pay more than that a month. Rogers Hornsby (baseball hall of fame) used to grab the reject bats and use them to mock the other players. Not a nice guy but he hit over 400 in 4 seasons in his career.

The ultimate recycling.

regards
mech

[user removed]

Oil still full after 1700 miles, honey colored now but this car had a bad thermostat (stuck open) a replaced radiator and apparently all short haul commute, 75k miles in 14 years. I'd bet the heater probably never got hot enough to even work decently, so you would expect the fresh oil to pick up some deposits.

I think I'm going to replace the tires, rears are noisy firestones, fronts not so noisy cornells. Wally World has Douglas tires in 175-70-13 for $38.51 each. Anyone had any experience with them?

I hate to pay for Michelins but I think there were Defenders supposedly LRR for $82 each with a $70 rebate credited to your credit card, about $260 for 4, but then there is shipping cost. I can mount and balance them myself.

regards
mech

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Wally World has Douglas tires in 175-70-13 for $38.51 each. Anyone had any experience with them?

The Xtra Trac II? That's what I have on the Wagon. I got mine from the junkyard. 185/65-14 front and 175/70-14 rear. I've got them pumped up to 60 PSI and they wear evenly and have plenty of grip at that pressure. They aren't labeled as LRR tires, but my MPG is OK! Light snow isn't a problem for these tires, I can put my Blizzaks on later and take them off earlier. And I recently had a lot of fun on some dirt roads with them.

[Gasoline Fumes]

I might be the only person that likes the Douglas tires.
Douglas Xtra-Trac II | Tires & Wheels | Bob Is The Oil Guy

[user removed]

I picked 4 up today for $37.50 each. They will mount and balance them tomorrow at 6AM, didn't want to wait 3 hours today.

Reviews I have read are all over the map, supposedly made by Goodyear.

Anything should be better that the ancient Firestones on the back and Cornells on the front.

regards
mech