Took the car out Friday. Go down the road it started missing. Came home narrowed it down to #4 cyl. compression test 0. Did run a scope threw the filler cap and rockers are working so that elimates cam lifters ect. By the flucation with a vacum gauge it is text book valve problem, (burnt, sticking ect) Did not do a leak down test for this reason. So heres the deal. Dead hole. Car is in perfact condition. As most of you guys know I am really limited on what I can do that why this sucks because I have never had to depend on anyone to work on my vehicles. Here are the option that I can think of. have my heads rebuilt and R@R about a 1000 in labor probley 300 for getting head done plus the other related parts going to be close to 1600. By a set of aftermarket heads and I am going to be at about 2600 total. Then I have a an engine with 90000 mile on lower end with new top end. Not crazy about that but have not rulled it out. Other option is to replace or rebuild complete. Here is where things got strange, The first place I called was Jasper they do not have the engine infact they will only way they will do it is with Edelbrock heads. If I go with that way (edelbrock heads) I can have it in a couple of days at $4000.00. So I call other rebuilders more or less the same responce some will only do my engine. What the hell these are only roller engines with Alm heads? So I start checking into GM create engines no go (no rollor with Alm heads) I look at summit, jegs ect all the same. So then I start looking into combinations The best I found would be the Gm crate motor with roller cam and cast heads. Then I could buy the get the Edelbrock heads and be as close to stock *** possible. But at that point I am close to 4000.00 again and no warrenty because of switching heads. I could easly rebuild my engine and should be well under the 4000.00 grand mark but. I am calling in a favor from a friend and he is going to R&R the engine for 1400.00 he has a very busy shop and I do not want to tie up one of his bays while rebuilding the engine or have him have to pull the car in and out of the shop. Ties up his guys his parking eras ect. The car is spot less inside and out but this hurts. I hate to say screw it love the car to much but dam take money and would be close to a clean c5. Am I missing an options?

 

At 90K miles the bottom end is nice and loose. Get a good
multiangle valve job on your current heads and and
you'll be surprised at how well it goes.


Chuck

 

If it's valves, I agree, get a valve job done and be done. you already know the options.

 

I agree valve job or you can find good used heads for cheap and save for the future build

 

Make sure the valves are bad
Super cheep way is to do 1 head
Valve spring compressor, take out valve
Wire wheel,hand lap,check with lite oil
Gives you tome to work on new motor

 

There was a mess up on jasper priceing going to be about 2500. Even before that I more or less decided to go that route. Just did not want to start a oil burner by having a freash top end on an engine with 90000 miles. Friend that owns the shop told to me to bring it over next friday and we will do it sat and sunday for free. I hate to do it this way but he said that is what friends do. This is true just hope I find a way to pay him back. going to order waterpump hoses sensors mounts ect so just about everthing will be new and less to swap over.

 

If it's a valve issue, why not just pull your heads and have them rebuilt? Easy, economical, and quick.

 

Assuming the car's had proper maintenance and hasn't been thrashed I'd think 90K on an engine wouldn't be so bad. If it's not burning oil it should last for years. Heck my old 95 gran prix work car's got 156K and doesn't burn a drop of oil.

astepup said that