If you have NO knowledge about working on engine, which I would take to mean you don't have the necessary tools either, then you're looking at quite a bit more expense.

Why? Well, first you'll need the time and the engine has to be removed and that alone calls for specialized tools, like a floor jack, engine hoist, jack-stands, etc.

Then you'll need to find out if the shop will accept an assembled engine (some won't) and if must it be clean to be delivered if they do accept assembled engines. Then it's getting it over there and paying for them to pick it up. Most shops will unload it if they accept an assembled engine.

Now they'd have to disassemble it, clean it and do all the machine work. Then reassemble it and somehow get it back to you. You'd still be faced with re-installing it somehow, firing it and breaking it in.

So all this removal and installation will probably call for someone else to do all the labor and that cost really adds up fast, unless he's a close friend and likes beer and pizza.

Now, we can help walk you through a lot of it, but the guys we usually come across have, at least, some basic knowledge of working on engines and how to use the tools. Hopefully you have a close friend who does have, at least, some knowledge who can give you a helping hand.

We're here to help, but your total lack of knowledge makes this one tall order.

The other option is to have the car taken to a shop that will do the complete job, all you do is pay for the work, pick it up, and drive away. But, man, the labor on that option will be a killer.

Some salvage yards will swap in an engine from a wrecked car, if they have the engine you need, but that's really a pot-luck move and I'd NEVER go that route.

So, it boils down to your budget, the amount of time and effort you're willing to commit to the job and how much hair you have on your head, cause a lot's going to get pulled out.

As I said, we're here to help all we can, but, to frank and honest, it's a steep learning curve to take on everything for the first time, especially without even a somewhat knowledable helper.

Just my view.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!

 

thanks jake, that helps me out a lot. You pretty much laid it all out there. I have no idea how to work on the internals of the engine. I wouldn't even know where to get started, what tools i would need, how to hook the tools up, etc etc. Absolutely nada. So I would be comming on here to ask, how do i use a hoist? How do I unscrew this bolt? It would probably take me years to take it apart lol. I know how to change oil, brakes, clean intake, seafoam. And thats pretty much all i know how to do.

So my next question would be:

Any of you guru's near LA wanna be my friend? The pizza and beer deal sounds great

 

http://www.amazon.com/Rebuild-Small-...9812414&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Haynes-Chevrol...9812724&sr=1-5

While you are nervous to dig in on your own, everyone has to start somewhere. Everyone here has had a first time rebuilding anything. In fact, I'd say you already have a good starting point because you are willing to admit you don't know.

Having that attitude will make you more cautious to check and double check. My advice, read a book. Read a few. Read in the forums about engine removal, there are plenty of threads.

Find some local machine shops and ask questions. What do they expect you to bring to them? What condition? What kind of prices do they have? What kind of turnaround can they give you? If the shop isn't willing to help you out, then find a new one. A good shop will work with you because they know that the best advertisement is word of mouth, and a happy customer is a repeat customer.

 

Hmm. What to do! what to do? lol

It's a hard decision. I have her up for sale right now...just seeing what kind of offer's i get. If i get a good offer I'm going to have to let her go. If not then I guess I might take a stab at fixing her up. I just got to buy a new car first that way I can have her in the back as a project car. I would love to take her apart and clean everything out then put everything in like brand new. That would be a dream come true.

Stupid question #1: When you guys say machine shops, your talking about shops that specialize in rebuilding the block of the engine right? You're not talking about a mechanic shop right. And where do I find one of those? I used to work for a ford dealer and there was like warehouses I would go to that would rebuild engines...is that what you're talking about?

Is anyone in CALI or near LA that can point me to a good one? Or a good mechanic for that matter? I'm still looking for a good mech that knows about these cars and can fix them right/diagnose problems correctly. I'm tired of taking it to shops where they play the guessing game then my bill ends up being $700 bux!!!

 

Haddad Motorsports in Inglewood, Ca.

 

Hey wild, are they a mech shop or machine shop?

 

They are a mechanic shop that specializes in Camaros, GTOs, and Firebirds. Mike is the owner of Haddad.

 

cool thanks wild. I'll try taking it to them next time i need a repair