I need some help! I have an 88 2.8L camaro which is definitely on its way out. The Engine still runs, but the oil smells like Gas/Crayons! The coolant levels drop whenever it is capped off, and the motor makes a pinging sound!

I am not ready to dive into the realm of rebuilding the whole engine myself. I am wondering if anyone in the Central Jersey area would be willing to check the car out and take on the project of rebuilding it for cash.

Thanks

 

throw away the v6 and drop in a v8!

 

Yeah, like that's easier or cheaper than rebuilding an engine...

Assuming you don't have any external coolant leaks, sounds like you have either a cracked head or block, or blown head gasket. But, it could be something as simple as a leaking intake gasket. You may also have fuel and/or ignition issues that are causing problems.

Hope you find someone that can help you. This probably would have been better posted on the Tech forum.

If the engine has broken stuff beyond typical rebuild and gasket replacements, consider the 3.4l crate motor. It isn't "technically" emissions legal, but there isn't an inspector out there that would be able to tell (assuming no 3.4 stickers are left on it), and it'll pass the sniffer.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LB9 w/ZZ3 cam, TBD heads, exhaust, paint, etc.).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & shift kit, 3.08 10-bolt, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

 

If you want alot of power for less go ahead and do what these guys say cause they really have a point. But if you love your v6 just like I do rebuild your six with a rebuild kit from PAW or look into this:

get something like this and stroke the hell outta that 2.8 with a kit like this(2.8-3.1) look into this site www.engine-parts.com/Online_catalog/Engines/gmv6conv/gm31.html

Or do what I'm doing and swap in a 3.4 from a 93+ Camaro/ Firebird.

 

What you just decribed is a blown head gasket, does your exhaust smell? is it an off color? if so just swap out your head gasket, trust me, it would cost so much to rebuild and thy arnt dependable those engines. i am ditching mine this ummer for an 8.

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Teach your children the dangers of Rice......88 RS 3.4L 2000 BMW silver. Black and grey interior.