C4 Engine repair
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
C4 Engine repair
Hello,
I may have a serious problem with my '87 C4 engine. There's 200,000k miles on the original engine and so it could require anything from changing the timing gear to a valve job to a rebuild. Can anyone recommend a good and reasonably priced engine repair shop who specializes in Corvettes in the San Mateo County area, California?
I just need someone in my area to take look at the thing, see what's wrong and make a recommendation. It's been sitting in a local repair shop for three weeks and absolutely nothing's been done! I'm fed up and I have to get my car out of there today!
I may have a serious problem with my '87 C4 engine. There's 200,000k miles on the original engine and so it could require anything from changing the timing gear to a valve job to a rebuild. Can anyone recommend a good and reasonably priced engine repair shop who specializes in Corvettes in the San Mateo County area, California?
I just need someone in my area to take look at the thing, see what's wrong and make a recommendation. It's been sitting in a local repair shop for three weeks and absolutely nothing's been done! I'm fed up and I have to get my car out of there today!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
From: CA
Reasonably priced,and good used in the same sentence is a tough one.Any decent shop should be able to check it out,it's just a SBC,if the problems internal.Out of curiosity,what are the symtoms?Maybe someone here could help.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
C4 Engine Repair
Three weeks ago, on the way home from work, I was accelerating to pass on an upgrade on the freeway and I heard and felt a sever engine "knocking" noise. I immediately came off the accelerator but I fear the damage was done. Afterwords it was as if the engine was running on seven cylinders and I could smell what smelled like burnt valves.
The next morning it did start but it was smoking and sputtering. I drove it (less the a mile) to the local gas station/repair shop and it's been sitting there ever since. One clue I did get is that it could be the ignition timing; perhaps a broken timing chain...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
timing chain is a good possibility with 200K on the clock....that and a few more depending on the service history. Did you happen to notice oil pressure, temperature and oil temperature? And, yes it is just a SBC, so any GOOD shop should be able to detect the problem. If it's a major one you might be better off just getting a rebuilt short block and go from there.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
With 200,000 miles on the clock and problems, unknown, I'd be shopping for a good crate, long block, engine. After you get it fixed, you will still have a 200,000 mile engine. Assuming you don't have a laundry list of non-stock "must haves", an good solid replacement type, mild engine will probably be the quickest cheapest solution.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
timing chain is a good possibility with 200K on the clock....that and a few more depending on the service history. Did you happen to notice oil pressure, temperature and oil temperature? And, yes it is just a SBC, so any GOOD shop should be able to detect the problem. If it's a major one you might be better off just getting a rebuilt short block and go from there.
You could just buy a performance short block already built and ready to go from there......the rest of the engine is just bolt on for the most part...its not real tough job to do....just requires some elbow grease, tools and time.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
timing chain is a good possibility with 200K on the clock....that and a few more depending on the service history. Did you happen to notice oil pressure, temperature and oil temperature? And, yes it is just a SBC, so any GOOD shop should be able to detect the problem. If it's a major one you might be better off just getting a rebuilt short block and go from there.
But Rick those are good questions. Yes I did notice the oil pressure, oil temp and coolant temp and now that I'm thinking about it, all looked normal to me. So it could very well be the timing chain.
But your suggestion to just go with a rebuilt short block my be the way to go. I could tell the valve guides where worn out anyway... unrelated to the ignition timing I know but it's slowly sinking in that with 200k on the clock as you say, I shouldn't get the engine work done in a "piecemeal" fashion.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
How much should I expect to pay for a performance short block and where can I go to buy one? I don't need or want any extras. Just stock. And of course it needs to pass California emmissions.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,039
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From: CA
Try your local Chevy dealer.Sometimes their parts department runs specials on crate motors, and are very competative.Of course, you would still have to install it yourself,or pay someone to do it.Good luck to you.
Last edited by GIMMESOME; Aug 22, 2007 at 06:14 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by realvoice
But your suggestion to just go with a rebuilt short block my be the way to go. I could tell the valve guides where worn out anyway...
Originally Posted by realvoice
unrelated to the ignition timing I know but it's slowly sinking in that with 200k on the clock as you say, I shouldn't get the engine work done in a "piecemeal" fashion.
RACE ON!!!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Look at it this way. That engine has given you great value. You now have to pay the piper. A good longblock is a good idea! The possible combinations of cam, intake, and heads boggle the mind. You can get one built to your specs.
Do you want a stock L98 replacement, or do you want to push the envelope a bit.
Do you want a stock L98 replacement, or do you want to push the envelope a bit.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Look at it this way. That engine has given you great value. You now have to pay the piper. A good longblock is a good idea! The possible combinations of cam, intake, and heads boggle the mind. You can get one built to your specs.
Do you want a stock L98 replacement, or do you want to push the envelope a bit.
Do you want a stock L98 replacement, or do you want to push the envelope a bit.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Look at it this way. That engine has given you great value. You now have to pay the piper. A good longblock is a good idea! The possible combinations of cam, intake, and heads boggle the mind. You can get one built to your specs.
Do you want a stock L98 replacement, or do you want to push the envelope a bit.
Do you want a stock L98 replacement, or do you want to push the envelope a bit.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I would say that at 200k, judging from the noises, might just be blown... sad to say.
also contact www.vette2vette.com. Jason is a real great guy to deal with.
also contact www.vette2vette.com. Jason is a real great guy to deal with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
If you're looking to sell it in one year, you should invest the least amount of money possible. If you upgrade anything or start modding, you'll never recoup any of the money. I'd do the most simple & basic fix/repair/swap, etc. as possible.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: FT Lauterdale Florida
I had a high mileage engine in my daily driver lemans - when I pulled it, it was barely running. - exhaust valves had holes burned clean through them = no cylinder pressure in 2 pistons. also timing chain had a crazy amount of slack. so the timing could advance and retard itself at its own will. the cam had a few lobes wiped off it. I went straight down to advance autoparts and ordered a new long block from a company they sell from called recon. it cost me about $1700 with a new oil pump and water pump as well. swapping it over was easy. I wish I would have tossed the original distributer though, my old one was worn out and I decided to keep it anyways.
the new engine has over 4K miles on it now, and its running awesome.
the new engine has over 4K miles on it now, and its running awesome.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
With that kinda mileage, it ain't worth more than $3k, tops, running. As it stands, it's worth about $2k, broken.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Unfortunately, being California, a lot of the crates won't work (legally) - well at least to the extent that anyone might notice. Most go with the ZZ4 short or long block since the heads are at least the same as the last L98 ('91). But even those may not work with your intake, so you may have to spring for a newer TPI setup too. Face it, CA wants our old Vettes crushed making the economics of fixing something big a little tougher. Given your mileage, you might want to think about what might break next, and then give some thought to buying something newer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
engine
My daughter had a high mileage engine when the timing chain let go.
I took it apart and replaced the chain, only to find it had no compression. The pistons had hit every intake valve, and bent them, eliminating any hope of compression. I replaced the heads, and 3 months later it began to smoke. The only thing I could do for them was get another short block, and switch heads, salvage the timing set, and press on. They lost the use of the car twice. for 2 weeks at each turn due to the fact that I did the engine work for about 3-4 hours a day till I had it running again.
I say you should get a replacement engine from a wrecking yard, install it yourself or with a friend and a digital camera, buy lots of hand cleaner, go have fun.
The local wrecking yard here charges $1500 for a used running engine with a 90 day warranty, and it includes everything...alt, starter,TPI, Sensors, Computer, wiring harness, water pump, Serpentine system, power steering pump, smog pump, tensioner,flex plate, Distributor, exhaust manifolds, even the plugs and plug wires come with it!!!
Well, so does the grease and grime.........
P.S. the camera is for the car parts.......................
I took it apart and replaced the chain, only to find it had no compression. The pistons had hit every intake valve, and bent them, eliminating any hope of compression. I replaced the heads, and 3 months later it began to smoke. The only thing I could do for them was get another short block, and switch heads, salvage the timing set, and press on. They lost the use of the car twice. for 2 weeks at each turn due to the fact that I did the engine work for about 3-4 hours a day till I had it running again.
I say you should get a replacement engine from a wrecking yard, install it yourself or with a friend and a digital camera, buy lots of hand cleaner, go have fun.
The local wrecking yard here charges $1500 for a used running engine with a 90 day warranty, and it includes everything...alt, starter,TPI, Sensors, Computer, wiring harness, water pump, Serpentine system, power steering pump, smog pump, tensioner,flex plate, Distributor, exhaust manifolds, even the plugs and plug wires come with it!!!
Well, so does the grease and grime.........
P.S. the camera is for the car parts.......................