Theres an '89 Firebird for sale here for $300. It has a 2.8MPFI with all the coolant in the oil pan. Both rear 1/4's are smashed in, front DS fender dented beyond repair, and no stereo. The only good thing it has going for it is the T/A rims that are on it. I would even think this thing would be worth $100!!!
I thought about buying it for the heads and MPFI system for my 2.8 Jeep, but the coolant in the oil could be a head. Whats more likely to go on a 2.8, the head craking, or headgasket blowing??

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Ya can't have too many fast Chevys!

 

I think the head gasket is gone

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1989 Firebird
-New Drivetrain Soon-

"I'd rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT have run at all"
#3 Forever

My Site:
Click Here to see my car!

 

Head gasket.
IF WHEN ya pull the block, be sure to use a new oil pump.
That block will be just fine for many usages.
The heads, new guides and check the springs.
The heads are fine AND YOU CANNOT TELL 100% UNTIL THE HEAD IS CLEANED UP, no gook & no valves.
I know I kept asking until it was a naked head.
Then I was told the head is fine.
BE SURE TO PLANE THE HEAD, too.
It's warped.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

coolant in the oil, probably a blown head gasket, sounds vaguely familiar.........

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85 Firebird. $150.00
2.8 Auto.
Blown Head Gasket.
Mods Galore to Come....

 

So, the chances are good that it's just a gasket, and not a cracked head? If so, I just might make an offer of $100 on this thing. The guys dreamin' if he want $300 , unless the two big amps in the back go with it

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Ya can't have too many fast Chevys!

 

You might even be able to sell the trans for $50 and the 3.42/open/drum rear for $50 and make some cash back.. how's the interior?


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Here's how ya do it.
TELL HIM YA DO HIM THE FAVOR OF REMOVING IT AND PAYING HIM MONEY for the car.
It can't be driven, right!
I almost got my Firebird for $100 that way.
She was cute, I gave in for $300. I wanted that tranny.
This is a GUY you're dealing with.
He AIN'T CUTE!
He's got a dead car he wants moved away!
Screw the amps, take the car!!
Make it run.
PS head gasket jobs ARE NOT FUN!!! AT ALL!! I know I just did my S-10 Blazer job. Yeeck!

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

KED, no kiddin' I'd be doing him a favor by removing it for him! The grass was all grown up around it!
Two years ago I bought an '86 MPFI 2.8 'Bird for $350. I got a 1.5 years out of it before the tranny lost 1st & 2nd. I'm going to offer him $100 for it, but I'm not counting on him accepting. I havnt met the guy yet, but judging by the info I'v got so far, he doesnt seem to bright (of course that could be a good thing too! )

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Ya can't have too many fast Chevys!

 

Hey KED, any words of wisdom for those of us who might be doing that wonderful headgasket 2step?
CHVYPWR, sounds like my bird is in a lot better condition. part it out, how much for the headliner?
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85 Firebird. $150.00
2.8 Auto.
Blown Head Gasket.
Mods Galore to Come....

[This message has been edited by Project: 85 2.8 bird (edited August 17, 2001).]

 

IN YOUR INSTANCE, it MAY be wiser to remove the engine.
WHY?
On my S-10 Blazer, piston slop.
That bottom end does need rebuilding after 211,500 miles. BUT, I'll use up what left of that engine.
NOW if ya wanna push your engine,
here's what ya gotta do!
Get an oil pump. Mine in my truck is shot. I get 5-10 minutes running time before I get zero oil pressure. Start it back up, I get 40 pressure, down to zero again and the engine sounds ok.
So oil pump, you buy. OR sitting in chocolate milk doesn't help the oil pump any good.
That means you are taking off the oil pan on teh bottom, in the car. I plan on doing my oil pump swap engine in my truck. I'll use wood to brace it up to drop pan.
You want to do that?
NEXT, go up to top.
Remove exhaust logs from cylinder heads, drop aside. I could not get exhaust pipes off manifolds, so I went to plan "B"!
Next I took off intake.
Tried to cheat and leave in distributor.
Went to plan "B"! again.
Removed distributor.
Then onto the heads.
I had to buy, intake manifold gasket set, cylinder head gaskets, exhaust manifold gasket.
FOR MY S-10 Blazer OIL PUMP SWAP, I plan on using BLACK RTV. I will be removing this 2.8 block one day, so I'll cheat (in MY instance).
For your car, go get a gasket for the pan.
WHILE YOU ARE AT IT!
Go get a new timing chain and water pump.
NOW THAT YOU HAVE INVESTED MUCH EXTRA DOLLARS, realize this.
all, except the gaskets, can be swapped onto another block, one day in the future.
I wouldn't waste a single dollar or penny more for a cam or anything else.
WHY, the current in your bay engine is VERY WORN DOWN, not worth trying to hop up
Want to hop this engine up?
Rebuild your distributor.
That rebuilt distributor will swap on the next engne block also!
IF YA THINK THAT WAY (what can swap onto another engine block, soon) you come out ahead!
If you THINK you can hot rod that worn engine, you'll be swapping out engine sooner!!!
SO, MY THOUGHTS......
either bite the bullet now (go find a 3.4 & swap) or just make current engine run and enjoy your effort.
Gaskets will cost ya about close to $75.
here's where ya call for parts of engine & gaskets 800-831-0884 Northern Auto, they deliver & ALL TOP BRAND NAMES
Electrical - Kay Auto Van Nuys, CA 800-995-0296, ask for Saul, tell him Karl with a 1968 Camaro sent ya. He'll sell ya AC Delco stuff brand new, dirt cheap. He wants our business!
DO YOU HAVE OTHER HEADS IN HAND ALREADY REBUILT?
IF NOT, figure in cost of fixing those heads.
THEY MUST BE SANDED FLAT (WAY CHEAPER THAN MILLING, which ya DO NOT NEED) and fix a valve guide or two. The heads are not (probably!) cracked.
In my instance, I also reused my thermostat. I media blasted it and oil the shaft. It still works!
ALL I AM SUGGESTING is you can do this, but, think long and ahrd, dollar wse, IF IT'S TRULY WORTH THE EFFORT! I also emptied water outta piston hole. And wiped the cylinders with motor oil. It works just fine.
BUT THIS IS ME & MY 211,500 mile truck.
YOU MAY HAVE DIFFERENT STANDARDS.
Think it all thru.
Effort to swap out an engine is close to the same I put into my truck head swap!!
Think this answer thru, alot. And add up the pennies.
BE Dollar wise, not penny foolish!
I've heard head gasket jobs go for about $700.
That's about right!!!!!
I hope I gave ya a guide for your answer. Sorry it's so long.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Ked, great info, but engine work is nothing new to me I've rebuilt a few, just never a 2.8. The oil pump in my Jeep's 2.8 was bad, like yours was. 10-15 minutes and the knock started, thats how I got it, $300 because the guy thought the motor was bad (oil pump-problem solved).
If I end up getting the 'Bird, it'll get only the minimum to get it it road worthy again, resale = profit ! Then again , I've been looking for another F-body to play with ( "insert evil laugh here")!!!

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Ya can't have too many fast Chevys!