1980 engine question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 124
From: Apple Valley Minnesota
1980 engine question
Looking at a 1980 this weekend, owner states engine has "broken rod" I assume this is the connecting rod, does the engine need to be removed from the car or can it be fixed in the car??? if I were to hire it done in round figures estimate on the cost, anything else I should know regarding this problem before I go look at the car???, thanks for your time. Tom
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
If the crank is not messed up it can be fixed in the car...BUT...chances are the block will need some serious work. The cylinder walls could be badly damaged...as well as the crank, and whatever reason caused the rod to break in the first place.
I recommend the engine be removed to accurately assess what's damaged and why.
I recommend the engine be removed to accurately assess what's damaged and why.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
If you're still negotiating price, ASSUME the engine is junk and you'll have to start from scratch. You might get lucky, but I'd bet the block and crank are junk. You should be able to reuse intake and heads, but I have seen pistons smack the head pretty hard with a rod breaks and the broken rod gets kissed by the spinning crank.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
If you're still negotiating price, ASSUME the engine is junk and you'll have to start from scratch. You might get lucky, but I'd bet the block and crank are junk. You should be able to reuse intake and heads, but I have seen pistons smack the head pretty hard with a rod breaks and the broken rod gets kissed by the spinning crank.
Assume engine is junk and will have to be replaced. I would figure at least $3000 to hire it done.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 124
From: Apple Valley Minnesota
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
If you can get it for the right money, it still might be a deal. This is a perfect opportunity to upgrade to something with a good bit more power. I bought every car I now own except the Corvette with bad engines in 'em, it lets me build 'em exactly the way I like and I end up with less in 'em than a good running driver would cost with an unknown engine history.
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