andersd Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 I have a 1988 GL 4 dr. SPFI. I drove this car off the showroom floor. It's been a great car. Been through CV's, timing belts, wheel bearings and the usual car stuff. Well over the years the car became the second car, 3rd car. Both my sons used it. Then my youngest ran it out of oil and it seized. OK...thanks for reading so far and yes I am going to get to the point. I know what this car has been through. The body is good and all. I called one of the used engine places and they wanted 700.00 for a used engine (seems high). In my youth, I have rebuilt engines but that was 30 years ago. I was thinking about taking out the engine and get it worked over. I could strip it down and all. What I don't know is what it would cost.... I have no idea. Has anyone done the recently? How much was it. I would hate to send it to the yard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Well you could do a few things. Obviously you seen how much ordering a rebuilt one is and that's cheaper than I've been quoted. You can easily spend $1000 at a machine shop. Could also get away with a budget rebuild or junkyard swap. Since you say it's not really ment to be the main mode of transportation for the family you might go the budget route. By budget rebuild I mean buying a core/junkyard engine and resealing it; fix anything obviously wrong. What do you see in the future for this car; if you did get her running well again? ps: I would be making the son who ran it out of oil, rebuild the engine and get it running. Maybe he wont forget next time how important it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 I would give strong consideration to overhauling the motor yourself - if the core is "rebuildable". This would be an excellent car to keep on the road, since you know the maintenace history from day one. But to get to that point, you'll need to pull the motor and dissaemble it, to see how much damage was done when it ran dry. It may not be a pretty sight. As far as rebuilding one of these, you shouldn't have any problems if you've overhauled motors in the past. Used replacement parts shouldn't be terribly expensive either. A lot of people on this board have spare EA82's lying around. Gaskets can be had at decent prices on the ebay. You may decide that a good used motor is a better alternative if you discover that the core is shot. Again, I would check around with board members. You should be able to find a solid used motor for MUCH less than $700. good luck, John I have a 1988 GL 4 dr. SPFI. I drove this car off the showroom floor. It's been a great car. Been through CV's, timing belts, wheel bearings and the usual car stuff. Well over the years the car became the second car, 3rd car. Both my sons used it. Then my youngest ran it out of oil and it seized. OK...thanks for reading so far and yes I am going to get to the point.I know what this car has been through. The body is good and all. I called one of the used engine places and they wanted 700.00 for a used engine (seems high). In my youth, I have rebuilt engines but that was 30 years ago. I was thinking about taking out the engine and get it worked over. I could strip it down and all. What I don't know is what it would cost.... I have no idea. Has anyone done the recently? How much was it. I would hate to send it to the yard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 You may decide that a good used motor is a better alternative if you discover that the core is shot. Again, I would check around with board members. You should be able to find a solid used motor for MUCH less than $700. good luck, John Damn I just noticed that he said $700 for a USED engine. There are lots of board members in your general area; you should be setup for finding a used engine. Ditto on AlleyBoys advice on rebuilding. I'm sure you know that this is no repair; its an overhaul. read: project Thats why I ask what you see for the future of this car; is it worth the effort? Also why I suggested some helping hands from the boys who assisted in its demise LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_talk Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 If it is actually seized then I’d say its not even worth tearing apart. If it were mine there are two routes I’d consider… One, get a good used engine, replace a few seals and run it, you should be able to find one for a pretty cheap. Two, find a decent used long block and do a shade tree rebuild (rings, bearings, valve grind and gaskets), NAPA has the EA82 kit for about $250. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archemitis Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 my favorite thing in the world it to find a subaru with around 120k on it, and noticing the timnig belt is broke. score!_! junkyard motors rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Smith Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 I usually get into trouble when I think but here goes, the heads on your engine may still be good. alot of EA82's have bad heads, whole cars can be had for a song, the engine might had for free, use your heads to fix a bad one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 If you pull an engine from a yard, it's $100 for a short block, or $150 for a long block (here in OR anyway - WA should be similar - except for the tax of course). Since it was ran out of oil, I would chuck the whole long block in the dumpster. Bad juju. Without oil, the whole engine is suspect. Grab a long block from a yard car - slap it in. Do the rear main seal and NOTHING else. If it runs good, go back in and do the rest of the seals and the timing belts. Otherwise, yank it and get another (free - yards give you a 30 day on used engines usually...). The head gasket problems are generally associated with the EA82 Turbo model - but of course anything can blow a head gasket given enough heat. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted July 4, 2004 Share Posted July 4, 2004 you live in washington. soobs fall out of the sky. someone would probably GIVE you a motor. spfi is dime a dozen. dont mind about 50 bucks in seals and timing belts on a used motor, it will be good to go forever! ones with broken timing belts(from a junkyard) are your best bets since you know it wont be a bad head gasket or anything major Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSoob Posted July 4, 2004 Share Posted July 4, 2004 MAN! Too bad you didn't post 2 weeks ago. I just hauled one out to the junkyard on the Lummi Reservation here in Whatcom Co. You could have had the whole car free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted July 4, 2004 Share Posted July 4, 2004 Where in the world did you find a used motor in WA for $700? I might know where theres a good engine fairly close to you that just needs to be resealed. I'm sure it could be had for MUCH cheaper than $700 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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