Rebuild or new engine?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
Rebuild or new engine?
Hey guys,
So my WP recently failed, resulting in super high temps and head gasket failure.
So the options now are to get a rebuild for around $2K... or possibly a new LT1 for $2-$3k more. Because this wouldn't be swapping in a performance engine, my question is whether a new engine would save $2-4K in maintenance down the road? Is it worth the extra cash, or a rebuild is the way to go?
I'm on a budget, and that money may be better spent on suspension and other parts of this 15 year old car.
Let me know what you think!
-Will
So my WP recently failed, resulting in super high temps and head gasket failure.
So the options now are to get a rebuild for around $2K... or possibly a new LT1 for $2-$3k more. Because this wouldn't be swapping in a performance engine, my question is whether a new engine would save $2-4K in maintenance down the road? Is it worth the extra cash, or a rebuild is the way to go?
I'm on a budget, and that money may be better spent on suspension and other parts of this 15 year old car.
Let me know what you think!
-Will
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
I'd definitely rebuild it. Any competent machine shop should be able to handle it, and if the heads or block are too warped to save, they should be able to let you know. I would not waste the money on a new engine.
As far as maintenance, I would replace all the consumable items while the engine is out: belt, hoses, thermostat, spark plugs, plug wires, water pump, etc. When it goes back together it will be as good as new.
As far as maintenance, I would replace all the consumable items while the engine is out: belt, hoses, thermostat, spark plugs, plug wires, water pump, etc. When it goes back together it will be as good as new.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Escondido CA
I would just go with a complete rebuild of your existing engine with possibly the addition of some High perf. parts.
Fixing a blown gasket just seems like a whole lot of labor, and there is still a possibility that the other Head gasket can fail as well!
Fixing a blown gasket just seems like a whole lot of labor, and there is still a possibility that the other Head gasket can fail as well!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Rebuild
Hey, this is the time to make a hardcore decision for future NOS, supercharger etc.
Never Say Never
Hey, this is the time to make a hardcore decision for future NOS, supercharger etc.
Never Say Never
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
How many miles, I had the same thing and I just replaced the gaskets and was fine.
Did you seize the engine?
Look at Summitracing they have GM blocks and and short blocks for good prices.
Did you seize the engine?
Look at Summitracing they have GM blocks and and short blocks for good prices.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
I'd definitely rebuild it. Any competent machine shop should be able to handle it, and if the heads or block are too warped to save, they should be able to let you know. I would not waste the money on a new engine.
As far as maintenance, I would replace all the consumable items while the engine is out: belt, hoses, thermostat, spark plugs, plug wires, water pump, etc. When it goes back together it will be as good as new.
As far as maintenance, I would replace all the consumable items while the engine is out: belt, hoses, thermostat, spark plugs, plug wires, water pump, etc. When it goes back together it will be as good as new.
Thanks, I'll check it out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
If it is sized, it won't turn over. If it still runs, it is definitely not seized. A seized engine wouldn't turn over on the starter or by hand (with a big wrench on the crank bolt).
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I would rebuild. You may just be able to simply mill the heads, which will raise compression a bit and have a 3 angle valve job done. While it's apart new full RR's are a good upgrade. Also possibly injectors if they are old. If your bottom end is good you should be good to go.
Last edited by BADDUCK; Aug 11, 2009 at 03:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
Southern CA.
Thanks, I'm glad it's helpful to more than one person That's great you've got 196k on it and going strong! I thought this one was going to be too.
Haha yeah I know. It happens to be my daily driver, and I can't afford the time right now.
Hmmm... I was thinking about doing RR's. Budget-wise, I may put it off until later though. I will be sure to ask the shop on the condition of injectors.
That's great you've got 196k on it and going strong! I thought this one was going to be too. I would rebuild. You may just be able to simply mill the heads, which will raise compression a bit and have a 3 angle valve job done. While it's apart new full RR's are a good upgrade. Also possibly injectors if they are old. If your bottom end is good you should be good to go.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Forgive me if this sounds a bit naive, but your original post said your engine suffered head gasket failure which caused a sever overheating condition. Unless you've cracked the block, why are you considering a rebuild?
My '89 suffered a severe overheat condition when one of the head gaskets failed, resulting in a cracked cylinder head. I purchased a used set of heads from another '89 Corvette, had them reconditioned, installed them and was back on the road in a matter of a few of weeks (I worked slow). I wouldn't even have considered a full engine rebuild for something like a head gasket failure. Of course, if the block had cracked that would have been a different story (engine replacement is pretty much the only option when that happens).
So is there any particular reason why a blown head gasket has you thinking of a full engine rebuild?
My '89 suffered a severe overheat condition when one of the head gaskets failed, resulting in a cracked cylinder head. I purchased a used set of heads from another '89 Corvette, had them reconditioned, installed them and was back on the road in a matter of a few of weeks (I worked slow). I wouldn't even have considered a full engine rebuild for something like a head gasket failure. Of course, if the block had cracked that would have been a different story (engine replacement is pretty much the only option when that happens).
So is there any particular reason why a blown head gasket has you thinking of a full engine rebuild?
Last edited by TheCorvetteKid; Aug 11, 2009 at 06:25 PM.