engine and drivetrain To rebuild or not to rebuild...

[lobf]

Hey folks. So, I bought my car a few years back from a fella up in Santa Cruz. He had recently rebuilt the engine himself, and it had 200 miles on it. It ran well, but I always had a feeling it was going to break down sooner or later.

So, sure enough it happened, right as I got to the other side of the grapevine in LA. The car started making terrible noises when I accelerated. I had it towed back, and the engine's done for. The head gasket blew, the head was corroding, and the cylinders had gone oval.

Which brings me to my quandry.

My mechanic has a used '75 motor sitting in his shop. He wants $1000 for it. He says it is in good condition, but he doesn't have the ability to do a compression or leak-down test, so I can't know for sure.

[bold]tl;dr: Engine's shot. Do I save some mulah in the short term and get a used one? Or pay a bunch now, and have it rebuilt, possibly with a new cam/header?[/bold]

On the other hand, I could get it rebuilt. This is my first and only car, and I want to own it forever. Ireland Engineering referred me to this guy for rebuilding, and he's got estimates on his website.

http://www.probimmer.com/EngineRebuilding.php

It'll come to around $4k. That's a good chunk of change, but I'll essentially have a new motor. And while it's taken apart I can maybe have a new cam and exhaust headers put on it.

Essentially this is my question: Is it worth it, in your estimation, to have it rebuilt? Should I go for the used motor and hope it lasts? Or just bite the bullet and do it all at once? Also, is that a reasonable price for a rebuild, and does anyone have experience with Jack Fahuna?

I'm a noob, I don't know that much about cars. I've learned a bit through working on my '02 for the last 5 years (22 now) but my knowledge is still spotty. So help me out guys. What's your opinion?

Thanks a lot for your help, you guys.

[otisdog]

My mechanic has a used '75 motor sitting in his shop. He says it is in good condition, but he doesn't have the ability to do a compression or leak-down test, so I can't know for sure.

If the guy can't do a compression or leakdown test, he isn't a mechanic...

Move on.

Jack's got a good reputation. If you want to keep it forever, then a total rebuild is in order - that way you know what you've got. Don't waste your time putting an unknown motor in your ride. You can still get crate motors from BMW, too.

[TobyB]

but he doesn't have the ability to do a compression or leak-down test,

then find someone who does. A leakdown tester is $60, and hotwiring

the starter to do a compression test is something I can do at the

side of the road with a screwdriver.

Seriously. Yes, you get cold values, but they'll tell you a lot.

I have to say, I've seen some pretty knackered M10's (even knackered

a few myself)

and the blocks are TOUGH- it takes a LOT to kill one.

So in your shoes, I'd get my car home, think a while, surf

(both the Pacific and the internet) a bunch, then

make a considered decision after a bit. And after talking to other mechanics.

Jack Fahuna has a fantastic rep, btw...

t

[pkchopp]

call me in Santa Monica, i might have the answer you are looking for: Norm 310 9086488

[Mike Self]

If your shot engine is the orignal one--engine number matches car's VIN, that's a plus to have matching numbers on a car you're gonna keep forever. Many years from now you may regret getting rid of your original engine...

And second the motion on an unknown condition used engine for a grand...you can do better.

mike

[PatAllen]

who told you the cylinders went oval ?

and why did you had the feeling it would broke one day or one other ?

thats strange...

a corroded head is not necessary dead.

[Justin76]

What's your end goal? I know a great shop that could do a m20 swap for under $4k. $1,000 for a used, unknown condition, 36 year old engine sounds way high to me.

[ricortes]

By mechanic do you mean a close relative that has some wrenches? Reason I ask is because I am pretty far from a real mechanic and I have a compression tester. If the motor in the shop missing some components like the starter I could understand it.

Rick

[lobf]

Well, I appreciate everyone's input. I am also a bit apprehensive about the quality of the engine, but my man speaks highly of it. The head was redone recently apparently. And I can throw it in, do a compression test, and if it's fucked just give it back to him and I'm back to square one.

I'm thinking of getting the used engine, keeping my old one at my place, and someday down the road, when I'm a bit older and have some more money stashed away, having it rebuilt. I'll get back on the road for $1500 altogether, and I'll save some money that I can put into my suspension, getting the dent in my door removed, and a new header.

So am I making a terrible mistake? He said if the engine's no good he'll eat it.

Fuck, cars are complicated.

[c.d.iesel]

call Norm 310 9086488

[lobf]

call Norm 310 9086488

I called Norm

[nickdaytona]

Well, I appreciate everyone's input. I am also a bit apprehensive about the quality of the engine, but my man speaks highly of it. The head was redone recently apparently. And I can throw it in, do a compression test, and if it's fucked just give it back to him and I'm back to square one.

I'm thinking of getting the used engine, keeping my old one at my place, and someday down the road, when I'm a bit older and have some more money stashed away, having it rebuilt. I'll get back on the road for $1500 altogether, and I'll save some money that I can put into my suspension, getting the dent in my door removed, and a new header.

So am I making a terrible mistake? He said if the engine's no good he'll eat it.

Fuck, cars are complicated.

Your "man " is coming off a a douche, by accident or on purpose. As stated above, $1K for unknown condition motor is ridiculous . Put it in and if it doesn't work take it back out?Ummmm......

I have one that I know is rebuilt ( 20 years ago) and is running great ( with all cylinders under 80 lbs tested cold).It's worth pretty much nothing. Do yourself a favor and take the generous advice of the great minds on this forum and don't even think of giving the spare motor a try. Hope this helps

[02for2]

Sorry to hear your troubles.

These cars are attractive because they're currently en time and prices are pretty low.

But that's just the entry price as you've unfortunately found out.

Realize that even the used engine is gonna run more than a grand. With new oil, coolant, plugs, wires, dizzy innards, motor mounts, gaskets, and on and on. Realistically, you're looking at probably the better part of $1300 - best case when all is said and done. Several hundred more if you're having it put in.

Then, there's no guarantee that it won't die in the next couple hundred miles.

You're in a bit of a fix with no easy choices.

Lots of good advice here, but your circumstances may not allow you to follow it. You may have to roll the dice and go with a used engine. I understand.

But, not necessarily that used engine. There's really no shortage of used M10 motors out there. Many from reliable sources and for slightly less money.

It's for you to decide, but take some time, do more research, and get some distance and perspective before leaping. I doubt that '75 motor is going anywhere anytime soon. Good Luck!

Cheers!

[lobf]

Well, I appreciate everyone's input. I am also a bit apprehensive about the quality of the engine, but my man speaks highly of it. The head was redone recently apparently. And I can throw it in, do a compression test, and if it's fucked just give it back to him and I'm back to square one.

I'm thinking of getting the used engine, keeping my old one at my place, and someday down the road, when I'm a bit older and have some more money stashed away, having it rebuilt. I'll get back on the road for $1500 altogether, and I'll save some money that I can put into my suspension, getting the dent in my door removed, and a new header.

So am I making a terrible mistake? He said if the engine's no good he'll eat it.

Fuck, cars are complicated.

Your "man " is coming off a a douche, by accident or on purpose. As stated above, $1K for unknown condition motor is ridiculous . Put it in and if it doesn't work take it back out?Ummmm......

I have one that I know is rebuilt ( 20 years ago) and is running great ( with all cylinders under 80 lbs tested cold).It's worth pretty much nothing. Do yourself a favor and take the generous advice of the great minds on this forum and don't even think of giving the spare motor a try. Hope this helps

Okay, well, you convinced me. I'm towing it to my regular mechanic, Dave @ Summit Auto in LA. He can give me a more honest opinion, I think. And he's told me he's received a lot of customers from the mechanic who currently has my car.

I should trust my instincts more. Should have been a red flag when he got upset at my asking for a compression test...

[nbristow01]

I do not know who Norm is but if CD says call him I would do it