Two_Four_Zero
WHilst looking for another 240, I figured I would seek the collective opinions on KJet VS LH??
I have had 3 different 240s all budget cars purchased for less than 1k, as fun projects with 2 of them Kjet and one LH.
The first was an early sedan with KJet (before I even knew what that was) and was so badly molested by the previous owner there was just no bringing it back. I successfully converted it to the mechanical fuel pump and Stromberg carb with parts sourced from Angus (Im sure he is a member here too) via Turbobricks. It was a fun project and I learned a lot.
The second car was an '88 Wagon with a faulty auto. We had the local Volvo wrecker swap in a good auto for a few hundred and it never missed a beat but was weathered and had the usual drivers seat issue.
The third car was a '79 wagon that was one owner and was simply a joy to drive. it drove way nicer than our much newer and lower kms Commodore. Unfortunately, it developed a starting issue that turned out to be a head gasket. I added some chemiweld and drove it occasionally but didnt have the space to do the head gasket so it got moved on.
The first molested car has shown me just how bad KJet can be in the hands of the untrained or uninitiated.
The second and third cars both had no issues with starting and driving in all conditions (with the exception of the HG failure of course) So this is the reason for my question (sorry for the ramble). Is there any reason to avoid running KJet car?
Are you finding maintenance and parts for KJet hard to source / costly compared to LH equivalent parts?
Thanks,
Wayne
deleted_user_2040
Any car can give headaches if it is neglected badly enough. I own K-jet and LH cars, and honestly I don't prefer one or the other, I like them both. The issue with K-jet is only a handful of people understand how it works and why it won't when there's a problem. It's up to the care/maintenance of the previous owner, if you're after a car that will be reliable. In other words find the best one you can afford, whatever the fuel system.
jlfents
Well, apples for apples Kjet has nothing going for it. But what @volvotragic said is the best advice you can get. If the car runs... drive it. If it has problems - fix it up then drive it, or in the case of kjet swap to efi.
Although saying that, I think Kjet is awesome and am putting a turbo with it.
Slowbrick
Both are 30 + year old systems. Not too many people understand K-jet and most mechanics will baulk at it. Having owned both types I dont "really" prefer one over the other. Both can be a huge pain in the ass.
If going LH then I would strive for an LH2.4 car. 2.4 is far superior to 2.2 mainly in the fact that the wiring in 2.2 is biodegradable so will be crumbling hard by now.
Kjet is fun and generally K-jet cars have very snappy response compared to their LH brothers. That being said I would just pick the best condition car you can get regardless of the fuel system. They will ALL have issues.
pauljloz
A reconditioned k-jet system has a lot of advantages and less suseptable to biodegradable wiring given the vehicle age now. Its simple to replace the engine harness. If your inclined to maintain the fuel system yourself you'll avoid screwdriver cowboys. Manuals are also more common. Ive had both and stranded more by cooling and charging problems common to both than FI system.