"Beautiful $$$ Blue Smoke"
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
"Beautiful $$$ Blue Smoke"
OK, had a Tic Tic Tic on 1970 small block and tightened the RH exhaust
bolt. Then went for a ride and the Tic started back. Then noticed all
the cars behind me - in mass - were switching to the left lane to avoid
me. Then I see a 20-30 long trail of blue smoke out of right side pipe.
Engine starts clanking, but I still have full power, so I pull over and
wait for the tow truck. Started again to get it into my garage and
noticed just a little black/blue smoke from LH exhaust. OK, can I be
lucky and only the valves - or on a 37 year old engine is it shot and
not worth rebuilding? Everybody it seems says get a crate engine-
then, if needed, what would you suggest for a weekend cruiser that
doesn't need/want a lot of power but still wants it to go?
Thanks for your thoughts!
bolt. Then went for a ride and the Tic started back. Then noticed all
the cars behind me - in mass - were switching to the left lane to avoid
me. Then I see a 20-30 long trail of blue smoke out of right side pipe.
Engine starts clanking, but I still have full power, so I pull over and
wait for the tow truck. Started again to get it into my garage and
noticed just a little black/blue smoke from LH exhaust. OK, can I be
lucky and only the valves - or on a 37 year old engine is it shot and
not worth rebuilding? Everybody it seems says get a crate engine-
then, if needed, what would you suggest for a weekend cruiser that
doesn't need/want a lot of power but still wants it to go?
Thanks for your thoughts!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Pistoia PT (ITALY)
Tic....
Sorry for your engine......!
My opinion is, allways, not to buy a crate engine..... with less money you can have your engine rebuild to the same power level of a mild crate!
Moreover...... you will keep your car "matching number" if it is!
My opinion is, allways, not to buy a crate engine..... with less money you can have your engine rebuild to the same power level of a mild crate!
Moreover...... you will keep your car "matching number" if it is!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
I enjoy doing my own work on mine.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
I don't have the tools or space to work on it myself - although I have
done numerous repairs - brakes, entire interior, etc - and I do like the
idea of rebuilding - to keep it original, and it's more of a fun car so I
don't need the HP. Question - as part of a rebuild what about new
heads? Won't that save a lot of labor?
done numerous repairs - brakes, entire interior, etc - and I do like the
idea of rebuilding - to keep it original, and it's more of a fun car so I
don't need the HP. Question - as part of a rebuild what about new
heads? Won't that save a lot of labor?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
I don't have the tools or space to work on it myself - although I have
done numerous repairs - brakes, entire interior, etc - and I do like the
idea of rebuilding - to keep it original, and it's more of a fun car so I
don't need the HP. Question - as part of a rebuild what about new
heads? Won't that save a lot of labor?
done numerous repairs - brakes, entire interior, etc - and I do like the
idea of rebuilding - to keep it original, and it's more of a fun car so I
don't need the HP. Question - as part of a rebuild what about new
heads? Won't that save a lot of labor?
The tools are a slightly different story. You can pick up some economical tools at a parts store or Harbor Freight if you don't plan on rebuilding on a regular basis.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
If you have space to remove the old engine and install a new engine, then you have space to rebuild an engine.
The tools are a slightly different story. You can pick up some economical tools at a parts store or Harbor Freight if you don't plan on rebuilding on a regular basis.
The tools are a slightly different story. You can pick up some economical tools at a parts store or Harbor Freight if you don't plan on rebuilding on a regular basis.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,500
Likes: 1,508
From: Little Rock AR
I don't have the tools or space to work on it myself - although I have
done numerous repairs - brakes, entire interior, etc - and I do like the
idea of rebuilding - to keep it original, and it's more of a fun car so I
don't need the HP. Question - as part of a rebuild what about new
heads? Won't that save a lot of labor?
done numerous repairs - brakes, entire interior, etc - and I do like the
idea of rebuilding - to keep it original, and it's more of a fun car so I
don't need the HP. Question - as part of a rebuild what about new
heads? Won't that save a lot of labor?
-Mark.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Choices
If this is the original engine (and it sounds like it is), keep all the original castings together and in your possession. Even if it's not important to you now, matching parts only happens once and the value plunges with replacement parts.
Crates are fine, and you get to keep your original engine intact and put away somewhere. If space is an issue, build it instead. Prices are comparable, but it requires more down-time to have yours rebuilt.
Hans
Crates are fine, and you get to keep your original engine intact and put away somewhere. If space is an issue, build it instead. Prices are comparable, but it requires more down-time to have yours rebuilt.
Hans
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
I don't have the space in my 2 car garage because another car must
fit in and just don't have the workplace space. My option is to have
a Vette mechanic (that I have used for 9 years) do the work. He said
that a rebuild (when outsourced) can be more expensive than a crate.
Yes, I will save all the parts if I go that route. The mechanic I use did
mention he had a 302 with Dart heads in storage. And I understand the
302 was rated at 290 up to 350. So, I'm just looking at options.
fit in and just don't have the workplace space. My option is to have
a Vette mechanic (that I have used for 9 years) do the work. He said
that a rebuild (when outsourced) can be more expensive than a crate.
Yes, I will save all the parts if I go that route. The mechanic I use did
mention he had a 302 with Dart heads in storage. And I understand the
302 was rated at 290 up to 350. So, I'm just looking at options.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
If it was me i would build my org motor to keep the #ers matching....you can have your old heads workied on to get a little more hp. and clean all your other parts up. My .02 is keep it org. then you dont have to try and store a motor.
Good luck
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,500
Likes: 1,508
From: Little Rock AR
I don't have the space in my 2 car garage because another car must
fit in and just don't have the workplace space. My option is to have
a Vette mechanic (that I have used for 9 years) do the work. He said
that a rebuild (when outsourced) can be more expensive than a crate.
Yes, I will save all the parts if I go that route. The mechanic I use did
mention he had a 302 with Dart heads in storage. And I understand the
302 was rated at 290 up to 350. So, I'm just looking at options.
fit in and just don't have the workplace space. My option is to have
a Vette mechanic (that I have used for 9 years) do the work. He said
that a rebuild (when outsourced) can be more expensive than a crate.
Yes, I will save all the parts if I go that route. The mechanic I use did
mention he had a 302 with Dart heads in storage. And I understand the
302 was rated at 290 up to 350. So, I'm just looking at options.
-Mark.
PS - as for the 302, take it from a 302 owner - this is not the engine you want to put in your Vette. They belong in first gen Camaro Z/28's and nothing else. They are not good for any other purpose. I can say that now because Dep has moved on to another place.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
Thank you so much for all the great information. OK, so if I outsource
the rebuild - probably need pistons, crank, etc - about how much would
that cost - or should cost? And would I save by getting new heads vs
labor for redoing old?
the rebuild - probably need pistons, crank, etc - about how much would
that cost - or should cost? And would I save by getting new heads vs
labor for redoing old?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Can You remove motor, push car away from drive, then You work on motor in garage?
I urge you to fix your motor or have it fixed ... don't discard it! It may or may not need pistons ... crank probably repairable, heads may not need much ... none of this can be known unless & until motor disassembled & inspected. It doesn't require a vette specialist to build a good motor. If you can't do the work, there's bound to be plenty good builders near Greensboro NC ... ask around & beat the bushes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Is there a builder in your area you trust?
DIY may require a machinist, is there one in your area you'd trust, one that understands the desire to preserve the numbers on the block for originality purposes and that they can be erased by decking?
If you answered yes can you use micrometers to verify the machining, mistakes still happen and the importance of rechecking clearances is still mandatory.
Buy a crate motor if you aren't absolutely comfortable with your builder/machinist.
DIY may require a machinist, is there one in your area you'd trust, one that understands the desire to preserve the numbers on the block for originality purposes and that they can be erased by decking?
If you answered yes can you use micrometers to verify the machining, mistakes still happen and the importance of rechecking clearances is still mandatory.
Buy a crate motor if you aren't absolutely comfortable with your builder/machinist.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
Ok - you wonderful guys just want me to have a winter project. The
thought of storing an old motor just does not appeal to me. This after-
noon a guy cam by, I started the engine he listened and said it was
a piston rod bearing - crankshaft & seals he said would do it. Perhaps
there is more to it than that - until you get into it. OK, the last time
I rebuilt a car engine was years ago - it was a 1929 Model A - I stood
in the engine bay and did all the work - simple. OK Yes I can make room
in the garage. I do like the price tag of under $1K. Thanks for all the
encouragement!!!
thought of storing an old motor just does not appeal to me. This after-
noon a guy cam by, I started the engine he listened and said it was
a piston rod bearing - crankshaft & seals he said would do it. Perhaps
there is more to it than that - until you get into it. OK, the last time
I rebuilt a car engine was years ago - it was a 1929 Model A - I stood
in the engine bay and did all the work - simple. OK Yes I can make room
in the garage. I do like the price tag of under $1K. Thanks for all the
encouragement!!!