I know this is a Camaro site, but is the most active LT1 board, so I hope Pontiac is not a bad word. :-)

1995 Firehawk (Formula); LT1. This is it here:
http://geocities.com/slpfirehawk95/

Has been rock solid since I bought it new.

I've babied the car, reasonably. 80 MPH cruising on the highway, usually. No spinouts, etc. Nothing crazy, in other words.

122000 miles.

After a 400 mile trip without a problem: the day after, I started it up, and I heard a terrible "clanking" from the top of the engine, driver side. Increases and decreases in sound, but is always there. Dealer says it's backfiring into the muffler. However, they did no pressure check, removed nothing to peek inside, just used their ears.

Car does not have diminished horsepower while at speed, but is now very rough idling.

Bent a push rod? Bent a valve?

Pontiac dealer confirms its a problem in the upper-level section, but all they want to do is replace the engine with a GM-certified (whatever that is) for $8500 installed, or some 93K mile used engine 3-month warranty for $6500 installed

Yeah, right!

I have a recommended mechanic giving me a second opinion.

I'm not a mechanic, tinkerer, etc. So, any and every advice is appreciated.

 

pontiac, chevy f-body is all the same thing man.


take off the valve cover and check the rockers. see if one is loose. or just re-adjust them and see if the sound goes away. could be a lifter

 

You could have a loose rocker. if you rev your engine does the sound go faster? I have a sound coming from my driverside on my 93 camaro and its coming from under the valve covers. I believe its a rocker or a push rod floating out

 

Try using a stethoscope after your cover has been removed to isolate the sound. If not available, then use a long wooden rod, some use a screwdriver. Sound will travel through the rod. When you hear the rocker that is putting out the loudest sound, then you're beginning to isolate the concern. Wiggle the rocker or pull the pushrod and roll it. It depends how bad it is. You may have caught it in time and it needs to be retightened.

Does it occur when it is hot or cold? Under load or at idle?

 

Where are you located? I would not recommend getting the engine replaced. If I were you, I would want to keep the original parts in that Firehawk, and look to have the issue repaired.

I'm surprised the dealer even offered to install a used motor!

Sounds to me like you have a valvetrain issue. It could be something as simple as a rocker nut which backed off (unlikely on a stock setup) or something more complex like a collapsed lifter or bent pushrod, or broken valvespring, or .........

Best thing to do is take it to someone you trust to evaluate it and determine what the issue is. This is why I asked where you are located. The people on this board are very friendly and knowledable, and someone local to you may offer to help you diagnose the issue.

Thomas.

 

Thanks all for replying. I'm moving to Atlanta (actually in the midst of moving now)... working in ATL, was spending weekend here packing. I was actually supposed to be in Atlanta last night.

The car is in Mobile AL, so there are not many options open to me. Renting a car, and leaving the Hawk here for a week. Mobile is not the Hot Rod Capital of America.

 

Noisy all the time, but seemingly much so this morning (was mid-20's F today). Very rough idle. Does get noisier as the engine revs, immediately backs off as I take the foot off the accelerator.

 

The first time I had a bolt back out on the exhaust manifold, I thought for sure I had a valvetrain problem.... Loud clacking sound that got louder under load especially when cold... I tightened it up and the noise went away. It was just an exhaust leak...

This may not be your problem, but it's easy to check and cheap to repair... You may want to look for an exhaust leak.

 

I wouldn't recommend driving it around until you find the cause. If you do have a valvetrain problem, like a broken spring, you are running the risk of dropping a valve into the cylinder which would create much, much larger issues than you have now.

do you have the tools, knowledge and time to remove the driver's side valvecover and take pictures? If you could post a few pics of the valvetrain, it may help us to help you .....

Thomas.

 

I'm leaving it with the mechanic today, as I'm headed back to Atlanta in a rental.

However, you folks have given me armament for lots of questions to ask the mechanic after they look at it in the morning.

I definitely don't want a replacement engine, as that would kill it's future collectible value. This is no standard Formula or Trans AM.

Depending on the source you read, a vintage Firehawk in good daily driver condition is worth $10k to $13K. Dropping $8500 into it doesn't make any sense at all.

 

Update... I just got a call from my mechanic... Broken rocker. $288 total bill.

I've already called the owner of the Pontiac dealership to complain.

Note that it was McConnell Pontiac in Mobile, AL that was trying to screw me; either that, or they're idiots (or some of both). Stay away!

 

Yikes... for that price I'd throw on roller rockers. A little bit more but you'll be better off. I'm surprised that the stamped steel cracked. I'd roll the pushrods for straightness.