Hello All,

I bought my 1995 Convertible Z28 about a year ago and I've had to do quite a few repairs since then. I love the car but the expense of fixing it getting to be an issue. Its a great car but as I already have another car its hard to justify selling the one that runs and keeping the one that doesn't.

I recently decided I would sell it -- its not what I want to do but its what I need to do as I plan to start a business soon and can't risk being stuck without a working vehicle while I am unemployed (and working for myself).

I'd like to keep the car however and I feel that if I know more about the car (pros and cons of its condition) then I can make an informed decision about whether or not to sell it. The most recent issue is that it is overheating. I was told by mechanics that its a head gasket issue which will run me about $800-$1200 to repair. I read all the time on these boards that its best to DIY, but I don't have the tools or the know-how to do it on my own.

The bigger issue is not so much paying for the repair, but worrying that these expensive repairs are going to be routine. I'm already having trouble with my synchros (reverse gear is constantly slipping) and I was told a transmission job is probably in my near future, further adding to potential repair costs.

At this point, I feel that it might be better to just sell it, take the loss, and keep the car that runs. However, if there is anyone out there who can help me to diagnose and/or repair it I'd be willing to compensate you for your time and trouble.

I don't just want to have a mechanic fix this car. If I am going to keep this car, I want to know the ins and the outs of it so I can prevent and/or fix any problems in the future. I need to learn how to keep this baby running, and now is as good a time as any to learn.

I don't have any mechanics tools myself, but I am (conveniently enough) the manager of a hardware department and I have access to whatever is needed. I just need instruction and advice on taking care of this car. I love my Z (its my first) but I can't keep throwing money at mechanics at the expense of saving up for my business.

If anyone out there lives in the Los Angeles area and could help me out with repairing the head gasket and taking a look at the transmission, I'd greatly appreciate it. Its a beautiful car, but the expenses are getting out of hand.

Again, I'd have no problem compensating you for your time and trouble. Feel free to message me or to reply directly in this thread.

Thanks for reading.

Honestly the head gasket repair is cake if you take a week or two to do. Shoebox has a write up in his cam removal/ install pages.

The transmission repair alone would signal the red light. Unless you can find a way to get a cheap rebuild, sell the car.

I know it sucks, but I've been dealing with the same repair issues. I have had to buckle down and learn everything I would have never imagined doing. After a while it does become routine, but to me it is worth it.

It is your car and your decision, but the transmission is a big expense to repair. For a rebuild it can be from $800-$2000 for a STOCK rebuild. But then again, that would basically be a completely new transmission. If you can get over that, I personally would keep the car.

this is a fun car to wrench on, but can be challenging. Buy a service manual and use this board and you'll be golden.

Keep your priorities first. Cars don't come into the next life with us. It isn't worth stressing constantly about.

good luck.


Posted from Camaroz28.com App for Android

i wouldn't jump to blown head gasket right away, but it is a possibility, also like said its not to hard to do i barley have any tools and i did a head cam swap with engine still in the car in my driveway....

my reverse synchro is also fubared from reverse lockout not working like it should of....twice, if it doesn't go into reverse i just put it back in nuetral release clutch put it back in and it pops into reverse slight irritance but it isn't to bad. its been like that forever

in the end though it all is up to what you want to do. If you want to keep the car and have another working car i'd park it and start wrenching on it yourself, its great experience adds enjoyment to the car knowing you did it yourself and helps you know so much more about the car

Yeah, that's how I feel. I want to get to know this car better -- its a great car and if I can learn how to repair it then I can see keeping it for a long time to come. I've gotten so many compliments on the car that its hard to keep track so I know I've got a good thing on my hands. But the reality is that my dream of owning a business comes first.

My transmission sounds the same as yours -- the reverse grinds, then pops into gear if I shift with the right timing. Doesn't need immediate attention and is definitely not a dealbreaker. It's been like that for the past year or so and it hasn't been a major issue.

My more immediate concern is the overheating issue. I just can't afford to pay for that (head gasket) repair and then have to turn around and pay to rebuild the transmission or whatever else comes along.

Best case scenario -- I repair the head gasket and hold off on the transmission. I need to repair it anyway if I want to get a decent price for it if I sell it (which the more I mention the more I realize that I don't want to do). That's the main reason I started this thread -- I want some help with this project because the last thing I want to do is take an overheating car and turn it into one that doesn't run at all.

I know everybody says its easy but I tend to like to learn things from people with real experience instead of just going by the book. And I'd feel like a real fool if I messed up my engine trying to jump into a head gasket repair on my first venture under the hood.

Thanks. You're right about not stressing. But you how know it is -- you fall in love with a car and you don't want to let it go.

What's cool is that I feel that way about both of my cars (the other is a 3000GT -- 215K miles and no mechanical problems since I bought it 2 years ago). But ultimately, you have to think with your brain and not your heart when this much money is involved.

I forgot to ask, is your transmission auto or stick? If you do have a sig, I can't see it on my phone.


Posted from Camaroz28.com App for Android

If you want to know everything about your car, buy a factory shop manual. Buying a used one is the thriftiest way.

Honestly, if you don't have the tools, knowledge and the time, getting into major repairs is a very difficult path. Tools and knowledge can be overcome over time, but the time thing can really be a big obstacle. Also, tools are a big expense, as well. More factors for your decision.

It's a stick.

Guy threw in a Hayne's manual with the car. I can get the tools at the hardware store I manage -- that's not a problem. Space would be an issue though since I stay in an apartment. Not much room to work on my car around here.

Some good news I read here was that the transmission issue (grinding reverse) might not be as critical as I thought it was. If I don't have to worry about paying for that fix over the next year or so I should be okay.

I'm not trying to be cheap -- I'm just budgeting for starting up a business in the next three months or so and I don't have room in my life right now for distractions like this, economic or otherwise.

in the end its ultimatley up to you, i wont sell my car especially after all the blood sweat and tears that i put into it haha. How sure are you that its the head gasket could be something simple like air in the coolant lines. stuck thermostat. how much is it overheating?

I can usually drive it for about 10-15 minutes before the needle hits the red. I always stop it before that happens now, but it did happen twice before -- once when my radiator cracked and the other when one of my hoses busted.

Two mechanics have told me that its the head gasket. Found coolant in the oil and oil in the hoses (which is why he says they busted). He says I'll probably need to replace a lot of the hoses as well which is another expense I'm looking at.

A little background: I got the car for $3K. Put about $1200 into it so far which isn't bad (blue book at around $5K and the exterior and interior are clean) but the head gasket and transmission repairs would almost triple that.

If I sell it as is (overheating and grinding reverse) what could I expect for it? I was looking to fix the head gasket and then sell it -- but I'll keep it if the tranny isn't an immediate issue.

The car ran great when I first got it for about eight months. I think the radiator issue set off the head gasket problem but I can't be sure.

Also, one mechanic who ran a diagnostic told me I was losing pressure in the oil cooler bypass. Not sure how all that ties in, but that's what I know so far.

All cars break and need service/repairs. Some, more than others, and your car happens to be one of those. If it is repaired correctly it can/will last a long time relatively trouble free. If I was you and I decided to fix the car I'd make damn sure I took it to someone who has some experience with f-body repair. These cars can be difficult to work on and book hours for repairs on our cars are super high. A mechanic who routinely works on these cars can/will do the job in a shorter period of time with less difficulty than a mechanic with no experience. The car won't be worth very much with bad head gaskets and transmission..

I would stop driving it all together if you found coolant in the oil. That can really mess up your bottom end and cause bearings to go bad.

If you decide to change the head gasket, flush oil through it MULTIPLE times to avoid issues. The water displaces the oil in the bearings.

last thing - I quoted you for auto trans rebuild. I'm sure it's cheaper for a manual rebuild.


Posted from Camaroz28.com App for Android