ok, so I'm looking at buying a 88 firebird formula 350 TPI, but the engines locked up.are there any common causes for this on that car? any Idea on how much it would cost to fix, and how long?

also, would it be a good buy? great interior, no rust, great body, clear title, rebuilt trans last summer, all original except push button start, WS6.
he wants $700 and it will cost $50 to get it towed. I only have around $1300-$1500 to spend on getting it running so I can't do a lot of performance, just getting the motor going again.


EDIT!!-he said the reason its locked is a piece broke off the oil pump, so no oil. so what happened, spun a main bearing, spun a rod, pistons seized to cylinder walls?



Thanks

 

Given that I've never paid more than $800 for a running 3rd gen, personally I'd pass (or offer $300). The seller might make more than $300 parting the car, but obviously he doesn't want to or it would be gone. Wave $300 cash in his face and see what happens.

 

Running a car out of oil is a common reason.

 

where do you find them that cheap?

I think that even if I parted it, I could get at least $1200.
The interior is near perfect,no cigarette holes, rips, stains,etc. original paint looks new, no dents, no scratches, 1st owner kept it in the garage, he's kept it covered. I figure that if I can get it running for another $400, I think I could sell it for $2000+, even though I'm not selling it.

and he hasn't even started rebuilding the motor, so for all I know it could just be an ignition problem or something, or a problem with the push button start.

I'm still debating on a $400 305 TPI on craigslist that I can swap in till I get the 350 running, or a $400 350 shortblock thats ready to be put together.


on the downside, I won't be able to JUST get it running. I'll have to bore it .030, stroke it to 3.75 (383),put some lunati and SRP stuff in it, all that fun stuff. thats just who I am. your excuse for upgrading is when it breaks.

 

by the description,sounds like$700 is a flaming steal for
that car-better grab that asap!You might be able to
fix the engine in the car if it isn't too bad-might only
need a crank kit...if it's trashed,a good used engine
could be installed.

 

thats the description he said. I haven't seen it yet, cant go till Saturday, but I have a good sense of knowing when people are lying. and this seems like the car I've been waiting for.

 

I guess I'm spoiled - living in the southeast. NC is Camaro heaven and cars are cheap here!

*edit* If gas wasn't so high, I could buy Camaros here and sell them in the north or west and make a buck huh?

 

?huh?

 

seen your edit-hopefully the mains did not spin in the
block,and if no thrown rods,engine likely an easy fix if
the bores are good-probably are,last seized 350 i fixed
(caused by oil starvation)needed a crank and 4 rods
as well as cam lifters and bearings-it ran quite a while
without oil,was a '72-roller cam in the '88 engine is
likely not damaged.BTW the bores and pistons were
fine in that '72 engine-only had 80000 mi.

 

any ideas on howw long it would take to fix if I worked on it 6-9 hours a day? what about cost?

my boss said less than a week and 200-$400 depending on block condition.