How about filling out your profile a little more???
Probably need new engine...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Probably need new engine...
So my '81's engine might be pretty screwed. What are my options for under $3000 to fix it? I don't have a place to do the work myself so a shop will have to do it for me. Any suggestions?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Not positive, might have a flat cam, might just be a burnt valve or broken valve spring. It's an '81 and I won't have to smog it any more because I'm registering it as a vehicle of historic value so emissions is not a problem now.
I basically want the best bang for the buck for this fix.
I basically want the best bang for the buck for this fix.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by Kalway
Not positive, might have a flat cam, might just be a burnt valve or broken valve spring. It's an '81 and I won't have to smog it any more because I'm registering it as a vehicle of historic value so emissions is not a problem now.
I basically want the best bang for the buck for this fix.
I basically want the best bang for the buck for this fix.
IMOP
Now remember guys.... he needs an "installed" price..... not a magazine price... he doesn't have a place to do any work.
Last edited by Tom454; Mar 2, 2005 at 05:15 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Well I've been looking at blocks and I think I'm going to stick with a carburetor just because I don't wanna deal with wires and stuff right now. I'm thinking maybe just get a block with a roller cam.
Found out from the DMV earlier that you don't have to smog a car if it has historic vehicle plates. Yay for me.
It's sounding like it's probably just in dire need of a valve job.
Found out from the DMV earlier that you don't have to smog a car if it has historic vehicle plates. Yay for me.
It's sounding like it's probably just in dire need of a valve job.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
By the way the motor has less than 82k miles on it. Talked to a few other people and it's most likely something external, like a pushrod or something on the head.
Would a new set of heads be a good option?
Would a new set of heads be a good option?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Kalway
Not positive, might have a flat cam, might just be a burnt valve or broken valve spring. It's an '81
I basically want the best bang for the buck for this fix.
I basically want the best bang for the buck for this fix.
If you think that the bottom end is fine, why do you want to replace it ? You may only need a new cam, lifters, rods and valve springs...
You can remove the heads and the cam in a garage, in CA it doesn't rain that often.... it can be done in the driveway....
Best bang for the buck ? Hotter cam, aluminum heads....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
If you think that the bottom end is fine, why do you want to replace it ? You may only need a new cam, lifters, rods and valve springs...
You can remove the heads and the cam in a garage, in CA it doesn't rain that often.... it can be done in the driveway....
Best bang for the buck ? Hotter cam, aluminum heads....
You can remove the heads and the cam in a garage, in CA it doesn't rain that often.... it can be done in the driveway....
Best bang for the buck ? Hotter cam, aluminum heads....
Well I was originally getting the idea that the bottom end could be messed. After further discussion it's looking like something on top so it's not as bad. The thing is I don't have time to work on it right now, I'm in the middle of moving.
Does the whole engine really need to be pulled to get the cam out? The guy at the shop was talking like the whole engine would have to come out to get the cam out. It's been my impression that you don't need to remove the engine to swap the cam.
Set of aluminum heads and a hot cam eh? Might as well put a new carb on it as well
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by page62
The DMV has given you a bum steer. Starting next year, your '81 will require smog checks no matter what! You are in Kalifornia, aren't you? Tread carefully...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Kalway
Well I was originally getting the idea that the bottom end could be messed. After further discussion it's looking like something on top so it's not as bad. The thing is I don't have time to work on it right now, I'm in the middle of moving.
Does the whole engine really need to be pulled to get the cam out? The guy at the shop was talking like the whole engine would have to come out to get the cam out. It's been my impression that you don't need to remove the engine to swap the cam.
Set of aluminum heads and a hot cam eh? Might as well put a new carb on it as well
Does the whole engine really need to be pulled to get the cam out? The guy at the shop was talking like the whole engine would have to come out to get the cam out. It's been my impression that you don't need to remove the engine to swap the cam.
Set of aluminum heads and a hot cam eh? Might as well put a new carb on it as well
rent a trailer, get the Vette to the new house and work on it as time allows...
This will be expensive if you have a shop do it for you
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by Kalway
Not positive, might have a flat cam, might just be a burnt valve or broken valve spring. It's an '81 and I won't have to smog it any more because I'm registering it as a vehicle of historic value so emissions is not a problem now.
I basically want the best bang for the buck for this fix.
I basically want the best bang for the buck for this fix.
You better check on this again- I have seen the plates, but I do not think you are smog exempt as a result of getting them.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
It's the daily driver until it rains, which it has been on and off, and until July.
I talked to the DMV about the historic plates today, by the way.
I talked to the DMV about the historic plates today, by the way.
Last edited by Kalway; Mar 2, 2005 at 07:10 PM. Reason: Add a line.