ConvBird

Ok to start off i already feel stupid - tried to save a few bucks and took the 97 TA to a guy recommended to me who builds hot rods - said i had a blown head gasket - he found me a 1995 doner Z28 engine - did a new clutch when he had it open - wouldn't run worth a @*%$ - he replaced everything and i do mean everything..$$$$$....& as soon as one problem was fixed something else broke - he finally gave up & said it was electrical & he towed it to the pontiac dealer who charged me $1,200 & said i need a new engine???? So here is what it is doing - was running but overheating in 5 min - removed the thermostadt and it doesn't over heat but now it's flooding the engine with gas fouling plugs and now turns over but won't start.. the dealership says one cyl is dead - did a gasket test & head gasket is ok - any electrical guinuses out there with advice - can't afford another $4,000 for another engine and really don't want to turn her into pop cans.....................

1badzee

iTrader: (12)

Put the thermostat back in (buy a new one while you're at it). Are the fans turning on?

ConvBird

Yes fans are working - this is the 2nd new thermostat since engine replacement & when pulled when hot it was open ?

9730thanvz28

iTrader: (1)

wait why did you replace the original engine in the first place? could have just rebuilt it and be fine.

m6ttop

iTrader: (18)

engine is not $4,000

TheDon619

iTrader: (4)

tne engine may not be but u have to consider the engine, labor to remove and installt he new one and all the parts he said he replaced with it as well as labor for that. i spent 2k on a tune up with breaks so 4 k isnt to far out there with all the stuff done.

Bowtie4life

iTrader: (7)

how many differences are there between connectors and sensors and stuff between obd I (doner car was a 95 obd I) and obd II(original car being a 97, obd II), could that be where some of the problems are?

Andys94Z

iTrader: (2)

opti's are deffinetly different,
cam is different, one has a longer dowel pin,
multiple differences

LTBANDIT

iTrader: (3)

wow!, you all need to start doing the work yourself... especially tune ups... there is alot of material out there for guidance... you could save alot of money and learn some interesting things... I understand keeping mechanics employeed but the more money you save doing it yourself the more money you will have for mods...

Convbird- i don't understand why you got another motor cause the head gasket was blown??? sounds like he or a buddy had a motor sitting around that he wanted rid of...

Sounds like you got ripped cuz i don't know how a problem goes from being a head gasket to being electrical. put a new thermostat in and troubleshoot the optispark...

ConvBird

Don't have time or tools to fix - gonna sell my bird - $4,999
509-860-2318

transamws6_97

iTrader: (5)

when you replaced the old motor with a new motor did you replace the computer? That could be one of the reasons its running like poop....also you're gonna have a REALLY hard time finding someone to pay 5k for a non running bird

djjab57

iTrader: (17)

lesson #1 you could put more money than what u have in it but u will NEVER get it back. If you want to get rid of it plan on taking a loss or find a sucker out there. I would get the old block back put some new gaskets in it and you should be good to go good luck though hope it all works out for you. It has to cost a lot more to replace the motor than to just change the head gaskets and mill the heads if they needed it

ConvBird

Yea I took it up the tailpipe on this one - Oh well live & learn!

djjab57

iTrader: (17)

thats the only way to look at it most of us have been there