Honestly I think your best avenue would be to buy a decent core from the classifieds here or on hybridz.org. Much cheaper and you can get a short block for quite reasonable. Generally if not run really hard these shortblock stand up to lots of miles.

 

Thanks for the response.

I've been doing some further research today, and I think I'm heading down the road of the rebuilding block I've got. The lift and stands can be had new for about $250-300, the engine kit for about $500, and the machine shop won't be that crazy.

I can also have the car painted while I'm having the other work done.

This won't be may last project so the shop investment makes sense.

 

To the OP, dude I'm in the same seat. I'm subscribing. I've got everything you have in that first list done. Except for a new distr. I check the pick coils on it under the pass. dash, and got 755 on the ADV., and 775 on the RET. side, the FSM says 750 is good, so I haven't replaced it. I got 13.5V to the fuel pump. I'm clueless what to try next.

 

for the kind of money you are talking about I'd look around for a running zx. the 82,83 block is stronger. get one with under 150K miles and do a transplant. the L6 is a pretty tough engine. depending on where you are in the country you might even find a turbo car. I got one for 250 with a blown head gasket. all the work you are talking about? lots of cheap runners out there. you might even find one with a better tranny and diffy. everything fits why not upgrade. and you got a parts car.

 

It's an addiction, not a spread sheet....
Go for it I say... the education is priceless!

Mike

 

Re: Snake Eyes 7/11, you might want to make a seperate thread for...

That non starting car of yours. Untill both the injectors AND the ignition coil get pulses, you have nothing at all. We can help! Got DVM? Norm K.

 

It's an addiction, not a spread sheet....
Go for it I say... the education is priceless!

Mike

LOL...I'm a CPA so it's kinda hard to not analyze everything, but my wife and I get the addiction thing. The other morning I woke up laughing because I had a dream of a naked lady bent over my car working on the distributor. When I approached her, she said she was having trouble getting the balance sheet adjusted.

I usually mow the grass at my home. This weekend I heard the mower running and wnet out ot see what was going on. My wife just shrugged her shoulders and told me she didn't have a car to work on so she was bored.

Hopefully, we'll get the car back today.

 

Oh so WAIT....your going to do MOST of the work yourself or just the light duty stuff????

If you do not have the tools ( Air compressor, air tools, cherry picker, engine stand, precision measuring devices ) then get a full engine... and LEARN tearing down the 2nd motor.... you can build that one in your spare time.

CPA with wrenches... WOW... most of the ones I know from work don't even know what one is.. ( but it's too expensive, and we need to find another vendor )...

Mike

 

Re: Find a place that does LOTS of engines...MSA sounds good!

These days you can still save $1000 just doing the r&r engine, clutch job and replacing things like heater hoses yourself! I just love zooming around NOW that I took the whole engine to a qualified machine shop for "whatevers necessary." Engine overhaul work is different than working ON an engine. I still had PLENTY of work to do on this 30 year old car, plen-tee! This was a couple years ago. I still get the nice zoom without the rattling noises and smoke. Norm K

 

Norm that's true... BUT here's the flip side.. a buddy had a 124 fiat with a snapped belt.. he had an mechanic all lined up to rebuild his motor for 800 bucks, with all the " kind" parts at the time.... and he got MOST of the stuff disconnected before the pull.. like the heater core hose clamps all the electrical he could see.. etc etc... and he had a group of assistants... ( read all talk no turn ) and commenced the pull.... but it was one of thoses YEE HA pump that picker as FAST as you can... he was confused after the separate the engine from tranny bit... the tranny fell off the cheapo single jack CRACK.. the heater core hoses were not removed from the fittings ( bend ) and the ground wire ( for the harness ) SNAP....

And he was trying to save a buck.... so after 1750.. the car was running again.. and what do you think the first thing he did was?

revved it up to 6K and side stepped the clutch.. SNAP there went the drive shaft rubber couplings..

So the moral... read.. be aware .. read more.. proceed slowly... distractions are bad... unqualified helpers are WORSE

Mike

 

I do not know where you live (I live in OK) but I have a rebuilt block from a 78z sitting in my shop. I don't need to go into details at this time, but it was and still is, in GREAT SHAPE when I took it out. I don't have a head.

Send me a PM if you are interested. I will make you a good deal on it.

zjimbo

 

Thanks for all the responses and advice. This is my first car, but I've had the head and manifolds off before and got them back in with the car running so I'm not too concerned.

I talked to a reputable local machine shop the other day and they are going do all that is necessary to the block including reassembly for between $500-$600 depending on what they find. When we were in the shop, another guy came in that was also working on a 78Z so I've got a spare block also lined up if I need it. Hopefully, I'll have it broke down by the end of the weekend so I can take it to the shop next week to get started.

Looking forward to it.

 

SURE! There IS a flipside if you're clumbsy. If you drain the fluids and follow the basic rules of PHYSICS things go great. Of course these cars are old and something will break. It is the nature of the "old beast." This is not the first engine I have pulled. Try removing an engine from a '69 Ford Econo Van, out the door area! These are easy! NK..