ADVICE needed
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Morrisville pa
ADVICE needed
Ok, a few weeks back I posted about my overheating issues with my 88.
After the waterpump , hoses , thermostat were all replaced it was still overheating.
Took it to the shop The heads were removeds sent out for testing.
One bad head gasket was easily found. I was hoping......
The results are back. I head had very small crack, 1 head had a very largs crack. The shop recommended that because of this damage, antifreeze had surely seeped down into the lower block and will cause issues in the future with the bearings.
The car has always run very good been fun to drive, looked ok but we were thinking of getting a paint job on it.
It does have the greenwood package as well.
Also to be honest it does not have original rims as it has sawblades from I believe 90-91ish.
What should a complete rebuild cost me as opposed to trying to do a crate motor?
With the fact that other parts are not original do I just do a motor swap?
Other then the hey give it to me line anyone have suggestions.
Thanks
Feeling very depressed as I was hoping to get her back for my birthday next week.
After the waterpump , hoses , thermostat were all replaced it was still overheating.
Took it to the shop The heads were removeds sent out for testing.
One bad head gasket was easily found. I was hoping......
The results are back. I head had very small crack, 1 head had a very largs crack. The shop recommended that because of this damage, antifreeze had surely seeped down into the lower block and will cause issues in the future with the bearings.
The car has always run very good been fun to drive, looked ok but we were thinking of getting a paint job on it.
It does have the greenwood package as well.
Also to be honest it does not have original rims as it has sawblades from I believe 90-91ish.
What should a complete rebuild cost me as opposed to trying to do a crate motor?
With the fact that other parts are not original do I just do a motor swap?
Other then the hey give it to me line anyone have suggestions.
Thanks
Feeling very depressed as I was hoping to get her back for my birthday next week.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
I've replaced a craked head on a car that had a severe coolant leak that was ran like that for a long time, and nothing happened to the bottom end.
If you say it ran fine, I'd at least drain the motor oil out of the pan and see if it contains any anti-freeze. You do it if possible, not the shop so that they can't try to tell you something that isn't just to get you to agree to a rebuilt. It's easy to tell since anti-freeze and oil don't mix.
Also, if they suspect a bearing, drop the oil pan and remove one of the bearing caps on the rod and take a look. You're talking about possibly replacing a motor or doing a rebuilt that you might not need.
It also sounds like the car is in their shop with the heads off, so you probably won't be able to do those checks yourself.
If you say it ran fine, I'd at least drain the motor oil out of the pan and see if it contains any anti-freeze. You do it if possible, not the shop so that they can't try to tell you something that isn't just to get you to agree to a rebuilt. It's easy to tell since anti-freeze and oil don't mix.
Also, if they suspect a bearing, drop the oil pan and remove one of the bearing caps on the rod and take a look. You're talking about possibly replacing a motor or doing a rebuilt that you might not need.
It also sounds like the car is in their shop with the heads off, so you probably won't be able to do those checks yourself.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Morrisville pa
yes it is at the shop.
The thought process from the machine shop was that since the engine can be yanked out very simply at this point, it is worth redoing the bearings.
My mechanic said it could all work out fine without any further problems. But since access is pretty simple , better to do it now rather then throw everything back together then take it apart again in a couple of months...right now he makes sense to me, but I am not a big motorhead.
Me and the wife were kinda thinking that if the motor is gonna be out, might as well replace what could be anyway, bearings, timing chain whatever really should be
Then again we could put a better cam in it and try to squeeze a little more horse out of her.
But that is what this whole thread was about... everyones thought.
And while we do have some savings we could use I dont want to blow it all either.
The thought process from the machine shop was that since the engine can be yanked out very simply at this point, it is worth redoing the bearings.
My mechanic said it could all work out fine without any further problems. But since access is pretty simple , better to do it now rather then throw everything back together then take it apart again in a couple of months...right now he makes sense to me, but I am not a big motorhead.
Me and the wife were kinda thinking that if the motor is gonna be out, might as well replace what could be anyway, bearings, timing chain whatever really should be
Then again we could put a better cam in it and try to squeeze a little more horse out of her.
But that is what this whole thread was about... everyones thought.
And while we do have some savings we could use I dont want to blow it all either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 930
From: Communist Colorado
First of all, dont feel depressed. Its just a machine thats bound to reach its limitations at times. If it were me, I would get a new set of heads, re-cam it as high as you can go with perhaps keeping in mind future changes such as a larger throttle body & better exhaust etc. I would be willing to bet everything will be fine.
Now, that said, does the engine have good compression & are the miles reasonable. If its got low compression or say 125k miles or something on it, then rebuild it all the way.
jmo
Now, that said, does the engine have good compression & are the miles reasonable. If its got low compression or say 125k miles or something on it, then rebuild it all the way.
jmo
