Well my camaro's engine blew up and had sh*t for compression So i decided to have it rebuilt(valve job, resurface heads, new valve springs, valves, new pistions, recondition crankshaft, new bearing, regring cam, new timing set, all new gaskets). Well it was just one big problem and took forever to get my car. When i got it would i knew something was wrong but couldnt figure out. Well i finally did a compression test and #5 cylinder was dead with zero compression. So now i dont know if i should get another rebuild, a used engine, maybe buy a heads/cam package. I dont know, i am kind of on a budget (about $2000). any suggestions would be good.

Thanks.

p.s. yes i did take the guy to court, he shop is now closed so who knows how im gonna get my money for the bas*ard!

 

Search for a good shortblock and transfer all the stuff over after it is all inspected. JMHO

 

The best thing to do would be to pull the engine and someone elso go through it or get another engine and have someone else go through it.

If you still need this car to drive now, you could pump air into that cylinder by hooking up an air compressor and using a spark plug fitting like on a compression guage. Try to find out why there is no compression. It could be leaking through rings, intake valve or exhaust valve. Back off the rocker arms on #5 cylinder and pump air in. do not spin over motor, just listen for leaks.

If you hear air coming through intake and out the TB, concentrate on intake valve if air can be heard leaking through exhaust, concentrate on exhaust valve. Either of these could be bent. If you are not leaking air from valves, the valves could have been WAY too tight so I would reassemble the rocker arms and adjust cvalves and try again. If it si not leaking past valves, it could be going past rings. If it is going past rings, pull the motor.

Hope this helps,

NightTrain66

 

well what exactly is the difference between getting a crate engine and a short block?

 

Crate engines are more or less complete, while the short block just comes with a complete bottom end, e.g. pistons, crank, etc. So if it's just the bottom end that is boogered you can get a short block cheaper and just put all of your current parts on it. Good time to put in the cam of your choice, etc.

I believe it is probably tough to find a new short block or LT1 crate engine anyway. I'm sure that there are probably some good rebuilt short blocks out there, but make sure you go to a machine shop that has a very good reputation.jmho