blown engine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Salem New Hampshire
blown engine
a blown engine or seized pistons....last Sunday out for a drive on Rte 93 in NH my 85 corvette started to overheat and then the oil pressure light came on. I was told by a mechanic that the engine is junk. Is it worth it to replace the engine? The body of the car is in GREAT condition. Would appreciate feedback in regards to this matter...PS I am sick to my stomach about my first Vette being wrecked Pease Help!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Did he say why it overheated so the culprit can be fixed before the new one goes back in. Could be a lot of things..even a lousy fan relay
If you like the car of course throw an engine in it. Basic flat tappet 350 they are cheap and everywhere.
Gm still sells thier cheap crates, many other places.
If you like the car of course throw an engine in it. Basic flat tappet 350 they are cheap and everywhere.
Gm still sells thier cheap crates, many other places.
Last edited by cv67; Jul 23, 2022 at 12:42 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
Horrible. Sorry to hear that.
You mentioned overheat, oil warning light. And seized.
This indicates you had a oil problem. Did you notice low - no pressure. You could rebuild keeping the original engine matching the VIN. Keeping resell value.
Plenty of create options. I would grab the ZZ4 crate.
Best of luck.
You mentioned overheat, oil warning light. And seized.
This indicates you had a oil problem. Did you notice low - no pressure. You could rebuild keeping the original engine matching the VIN. Keeping resell value.
Plenty of create options. I would grab the ZZ4 crate.
Best of luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,044
Likes: 6,551
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
There are a lot of gaps in the story. OP says it overheated and oil pressure light came on. Not good. But then the diagnosis is either "a blown engine", (whatever THAT means), or seized piston. If a piston seized most likely you're not going anywhere. Did it shut down? Was it flatbedded to the "mechanic" or driven under its own power? I'm guessing this issue is a bit over OP's level (and maybe over that mechanic's level) and as v9999 says, buying a replacement and paying someone to put it in is going to be more than an '85 is worth. The first step is to find someone who knows what they are doing, and determine exactly what is going on. That is must-have info for OP to make an intelligent decision.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
x2 find out why first so that new engine doesnt overheat also. Could be a bad fan relay for all we know.
No ls swap is easy and cheap that is a myth. THere are guys with garages, lots of know hows and resources to do that themselves but every home done conversion 'cheap" ive seen is a complete hack job and usually dont hear much from them afterwards.
Tons of parts for 350s you can make plenty of power. If teens or low 20s isnt enough mpg then go buy a new accord.
No ls swap is easy and cheap that is a myth. THere are guys with garages, lots of know hows and resources to do that themselves but every home done conversion 'cheap" ive seen is a complete hack job and usually dont hear much from them afterwards.
Tons of parts for 350s you can make plenty of power. If teens or low 20s isnt enough mpg then go buy a new accord.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
Oh, where all the fun started for me. My engine gave up and that is when I grabbed my ZZ4, which then lead to TPIS headers and then later a mini ram which then led to the Dynamic EFI. Fun snowball of events :-)
Honestly, if you like the car and it's in good shape other than the engine now, just have a basic 350 crate longblock installed.
Honestly, if you like the car and it's in good shape other than the engine now, just have a basic 350 crate longblock installed.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,044
Likes: 6,551
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Posts an agonized cry for help, then does not return for 5 days. 
OP - there are people on here who can give you all the advice and help you need, but we need specifics to be able to help you. For example, I don't have much faith in a mechanic who just tells you the engine is blown. That description is like going to a doctor and telling him you're "sick". He or she is going to ask you a ton of questions like what kind of pain, where, when did it start, you get the idea. A "blown engine" could REALLY be anything from comparatively minor problems, to the thing being a total boat anchor. If you truly need and want help, we'll need more details to understand what's going on.
Not trying to be harsh - I know very well the sick feeling of something seriously wrong with MY Vette. Just trying to help you to help us to help you!
OP - there are people on here who can give you all the advice and help you need, but we need specifics to be able to help you. For example, I don't have much faith in a mechanic who just tells you the engine is blown. That description is like going to a doctor and telling him you're "sick". He or she is going to ask you a ton of questions like what kind of pain, where, when did it start, you get the idea. A "blown engine" could REALLY be anything from comparatively minor problems, to the thing being a total boat anchor. If you truly need and want help, we'll need more details to understand what's going on.
Not trying to be harsh - I know very well the sick feeling of something seriously wrong with MY Vette. Just trying to help you to help us to help you!