Hey guys Im new here. I been looking at a 88 firebird ws6 with the 305 tpi engine in it. Car seems real nice except it seems to have a engine issue. The previous owner was beating on it one day, was revving it high and the car stalled. Ever since accoarding to him it doesnt have power, and doesnt like to drive. I listened to it today, it idles fine but if you rev it it gets a knock. I used a mechanics stethoscope to trace the sound to the block on both sides under the exhaust manafold. You can hear the knock all the time there with the stethoscope, but you can only hear it with the naked ear when its being reved. Im thinking rod or crank bearings, but could that be causing the power loss, and wouldnt it be a lot louder if the bearings were shot?

 

Welcome to TGO.

From what you describe, it might well have suffered some serious internal damage from the flogging the previous owner gave it.? If you really want the car, deduct from the asking price what it will cost you to replace the motor and go from there. Dont fall into the rebuild the 305 thinking trap...just my

Good luck

 

So from my description does it sound like more than just the bearings? I asked if he changed the oil since it happened, and he said he did twice and there was no metal chips in it. Its a friend of mines so hes not b.s'ing me I hope.

 

Friend or not, Red flags!!

 

thats what I was thinking, I dont mind doing the work on it, I been looking for a project car for a while. How hard are these engines to pull? Seem easy to work on, basic small block Chevy.

 

You've got the right spirit!

If the price is right and the car is what you want, tug or tow it home. Too bad you probably wont be driving it for a while but, as you say, it's basic small block chevy stuff, but with a TPI twist.

Give it some thought and let us know if you decide to bring it home.

Good luck

 

I think I'll pick it up. The guys having someone come over to diagnose it to see whats wrong with it/see what its going to cost to fix because he doesnt want to do a trade if it only needs a few hundred in repairs. Im trading him a 86 yz 250 for the car. Seems fair because the yz runs like a raped ape, and the car doesnt run so much.

 

Hopefully for all, the person looking into it, it is qualified to give an unbiased honest opinion? Keep in mind, from what you've said, that it's been abused, and be leary of short term and cheap fixes, especially if you cant drive it. Again, that's just my worth. If you're putting your bike up as trade, maybe the two of you can agree on prices for both and meet somewhere in the middle?

Good luck to you!

 

Im a pretty novice wrench turner, took automotive and small engines in highschool, and do a lot of motorcycle engines. I actually worked at a bike shop as a mechanic for one summer. How long on average would it take to pull the engine? Im thinking if I replace all the gaskets, decarbonize the heads/pistons, lap the valves and replace whatever bearing is blown I should have this thing running good again. Doesnt look like its a very difficult engine to pull?

 

Engine knock = crank and bearings. If miles over 100k also pistons, cam, valve job, ect... It can get expensive in a hurry.

Or it can be patch and pray.

 

yea its got 128. the bearings shouldnt be too bad, their around 30.00. Im thinking the piston and cam should be alright. Hopefully.