General Engine Specifications:

Displacement: 146 cubic inches (2.4 L)
Bore: 3.50" (89 mm)
Stroke: 3.78" (96 mm)
Compression Ratio: 8.6:1
Compression Pressure: 142-192 psi.

Horsepower @ RPM: 134 @ 5200
Torque lb*ft @ RPM: 154 @ 3600

Camshaft lobe lift: .388" (9.86 mm)
Intake valve dia: 1.34" (34 mm)
Exhaust valve dia: 1.58" (40 mm)
Valves: 12; 8 intake, 4 exhaust

[Click for larger version]

These are the power curves I loosely digitized from the 1995 Nissan Truck brochure.  Both engines offer fairly flat torque curves for good drivability.  Although the KA24E's horsepower curve looks a bit "peaky", a full 85% of its maximum torque is available all the way from 1000 to about 5200 rpm, and makes for pretty effortless driving, even when laden with the extra burden of 4-wheel-drive equipment.  It's not a speed demon by any means, but the KA24E is a very flexible engine for a variety of driving conditions.
 

A seemingly common problem with Nissan SOHC 4-cylinder engines is valve train noise.  I took these pictures when I removed the valve cover on my engine to inspect the timing chain guide and tensioner.  After so many miles (about 176,000 at the time of these pictures), the tensioner and guide are suspect to failing because the original equipment is plastic instead of metal.  Service parts for these engines, as well as the original equipment parts for later engines, are made of longer-lasting steel.

Expecting to find broken or damaged pieces, I found everything to be as new.  You may or may not be able to see in these pictures that the timing chain guide (on the right) and the tensioner (on the left) are in perfect condition.  I suspect that these pieces have been replaced before I bought the truck.  The chain is taught, and both the guide and tensioner move and rotate freely.

I still experience an intermittent rattle for a second or two when I start the truck (either cold or hot).  While I had the valve cover off, I tightened the rocker shaft bolts down to 27 lb*ft (27-30 lb*ft is indicated in the service manual) and the intake rocker shaft bolts were all tight.  I was able to put a 1/4 or 1/2 turn on some of the exhaust shaft bolts.  This did not eliminate the startup rattle, but it did make general operation of the engine seem a touch smoother.  The KA-series engines aren't known for being silky-smooth; they're the workhorses of Nissan's 4-cylinder lineup.  The KA24E is most known for its use in 1989-1990 240SX and 1990-1997 truck models, but it has been used in other Nissan models during the late 1980s (such as the Stanza and Access van).