I was driving along about 2 months ago, and my car's thermostat light came on, It was smoking and the radiator coolant was boiling in the tank like it was on a stove, I let it rest and cool for 15 minutes, I drove it again, It was fine for 15 miles, And then it started making a weird noise and then I let it rest again. For about 20 minutes. I drove it again and then fine for 5 miles and then it just made a loud bang noise, And it stalled and wouldn't start. It cranked but wouldn't start. The coolant stank really bad. It was still smoking and boiling. I got the car towed home I let it sit overnight and that night it was about 20 degrees outside. I went out the next morning and started cranking it, Just from cranking it, The coolant in the coolant tank was boiling. My Uncle says I cracked the Head Cylinder or the Head needs to be shaved. Or it could be the head gasket. Someone please help me..
I miss my baby so much.

 

May I give you the bad news.
YOU'RE PERSONAL LABOR TO DO THE HEAD SWAP IS INTENSE.
Really, I did it on my 1985 S-10 Blazer.
And it's ok, but, i'm gonna throw away my balzer engine & install a used running engine.
I rebuilt my heads.
They were warped.
I only had the valves reseated and one or two guides replaced.
I went real quick on the heads, to avoid cost!
I installed.
My oil pump in now shot & it's bad.
Instead of band aiding, please really consider getting a running 60* V-6 from a late model car & install it under the 1985 Camaro.
Swap over everything you can and sell left over parts.
I did this to my 1985 Firebird.
I paid $800 for my running 3.4.
I paid way less for my head swap that I did on my 1985 S-10 Blazer.
I got better results for my effort on the Firebird.
I'm now swapping out my old Blazer engine to do it the right way, I shoulda done.
You'll hear lots of stories, but, this is the real bottom line.
Your engine is cooked.
Swap it out for a running yard engine.
I was just in Levittown Mon-thru Weds.

 

does your car still make thebang noise? if not this is what happend to my camaro after only 3,000 on the motor. the intake gaskets slipped and let antifreeze into my oil pan. i heard that the streching of the intake gasket is common to our cars. its a piece of cake. two hour job. and if for some reson you needed to rebuild your engine, its a piece of pie to come out man. it took me and my pop when is was 15 like 4 hours to get the engine out.

 

It didn't make the bang noise when I was cranking it again. Please reply back, I miss my little baby.

 

The bang came from bad things going on in a cylinder.
When it banged and died, you lost your compression to ignite engine.
Want to see it?
Remove a spark plug, one at a time.
You'll find 2-3 cylinders full of water.
And you won't need to crank engine to remove the water.
Been there and no, it's not a fun sight. BUT you can make it better by investing WISELY all your options.
I've destroyed two 60* engines.
I did it right, one of those two times. And it was worth every ache and penny.
Start shopping for a 3.4 now, while the economy stinks. I'll bet you can find one for about $400 in very good shape. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get the same results (for the money) on your current dead engine, as it sits NOW, then by swapping in a running 3.4 block. You spend the same effort, anyway you look at it.
Here's where to go for the way to do it. You can be, I think the 18th person to do the 3.4 swap boogie.
https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/001462.html
I recently re-read that thread, to see if I could/should update it.
I still stand by my advice offered.
Have a cheesesteak, Tastykake and Hoagie for me.
We're out of the food we brought from back in Levittown.

 

I feel your pain. I finally (after 3 weeks of saying I would dio it) removed the starter & drained the new oil from the block. It still had a green tinge to it. Asked my dad in law about it, & he said cracked block. I am now officially shopping for a 3.4. Caint wait for tax money to come in. I will be taking ic of the bird today, and probobly selling (good) engine peices when the classifieds come back on line. But look on the bright side, at least you've know what it's like to drive your car

 

I honestly do not have the type of money to replace it. I am unemployed and that was my only method of transportation. My Uncle whom is good with cars said that either the head needs to be shaved or the head cylinder is cracked. I don't have money, I have 45 bucks to my name. Somebody please please help me

 

Been There, too.
Here's the deal, roll the dice & on the head work. Drain oil pan RIGHT AWAY!
That MAY save your oil pump from bad news, too.
I didn't and I lost my oil pump in my S-10 Blazer engine. It sat in water/coolant, to long.
Go spend the money on the whole shebang.
I'd still say phone around for a running 60* V-6 from S-10 Blazer, Camaro Firebird ONLY!!!
May get one for $100!
With warranty, too!
Even IF you find one for $200, that's how much it'll cost to do the head swap anyway.
800-851-0884 for a gasket kit (can run up to $80), Northern Auto Warehouse, they sell Fel Pro stuff CHEAP!
Like I said, been there.
The heads I swapped on to my S-10 Blazer block were from my 1985 Firebird, left over, after I blew that engine. Those I quick rebuilt. And you'll have to do the same, probably, too.
Try to find a running V-6. I think you honestly will win, that way.

 

I mean what I am I gonna do?? I do have another car, That's a 1990 Mercury Topaz but the timing chain went on that. I have 45 dollars to my name. I have a job interview on Tuesday. I already got the head gaskets, I know I need the: Intake Manifold and the Valve Cover and plus I have to get a heater core. Plus the head shaved or another head cylinder. I need help as soon as possible.

 

Me?
I'd bum a ride or use the bus.
Can't fix it by Tuesday!
AND I'd invest in the Mercury IF AS LONG AS YOU DIDN'T BREAK/BEND a valve.
That sounds more like a sure thing.
Or sell them all & buy a better ride.

 

I just want to get it on the road as soon as possible. The Topaz will be fixed within a week and as for Tuesday I will use my dad's Dodge Shadow. I want my Camaro though. Of course I ain't gonna take it to the garage, My dad and uncle are gonna do the work. I am hoping and praying that nothing is wrong with it that's big. My dad said that you can only tell what's wrong with it until you take it apart. It's been sitting in the garage since the middle of October and he hasn't made a move yet cuz I haven't been able to get a job. I am afraid it's gonna ruin my car from letting it sit.
I NEED IT!!!

 

You got a ride?
I'd search for a running engine.
It's a sure thing for the effort.
I found out how bad my engine was after I did the head swap.
It ran, but.... it's dead.
I'm only telling ya the truth.
Go find a running engine. That one is toast.
With the cold weather & oil in a pan & such?
Please.
It's dead.
Or the other option is to do the effort & money & find out the hard way.
If ya been without it since Oct. what's the big deal?
I've been without driving my 1967 RS/SS Camaro 4-Speed Convertible since May 1990. It's called hibernation & finances. I still own it, have since 1984. Oh well.

 

Be glad you're not over here in Germany with that same problem. My 2.8 89 Firebird has been running like s*** for the last 3 weeks. I gave up completely on driving it. The last couple times I started it to charge up the battery it would run ok for about a minute and that was it. After that it didn't have enough power to move hardly. O2 sensor maybe? 2 weeks to get one for a decent price, or pay out the butt for one that same day. Forget about finding stuff in a junkyard. Just got done replacing distributer cap, rotor, O2 sensor(payed out the butt) and coil today and I think I fixed it. I'd love to be back in WA again though at a junkyard digging through rows of firebirds and camaros looking for a good 3.4 or whatever. Having no money would put a damper on that though.

 

There is no water in the spark plugs, My 2 uncles and dad checked it out. So now what do u think.

 

did they just look @ the plugs, of also feel the top of the pistons? I had 2 pistons w/ water on them when I yanked the heads.

Haveyou drained the oil & insoected it yet?

Fix the topaz, sell it, get the 'maro fixed & modded.

In the mean time shoe-leather exress it. The weight you lose will make the ride that much quicker.

 

I can't shoe leather it, My job is 30 miles away. The Topaz I will keep for the winter cuz it's front wheel drive. I don't plan to take my Camaro out until April. That's when it stops snowing round here. I live in northeastern Pennsylvania. They said theres something leaking out of the 6th cylinder. I don't know if it's water or anti-freeze

 

I think you should look in the local papers for a running engine. You'll find it, quicker than fixing that dead engine.

 

fwd aint all it's praised up to be in the snow. been there, done that.

#6 cylinder, rear, drivers side. check valve cover gasket. if it is anti fereeze, re-red aall of KEDs' post & heed advice.

 

Just get to work, increase the kitty at home fund and search for the better solution.
Really.
It's dead.
Give it a decent burial.
But, remember, you'll need it for a core charge.
When you find that running engine, go listen to it and try to drive it. You will be way ahead that way.
Honest.
Atleast you have an easier ride to fix.
Good luck at the new job.

 

It's water, I am gonna start searching for a new engine.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/001462.html
I hope this provides some answers to some of your questions, now.
Search hard and well for your engine.
It's a very rewarding project when it works correctly!
My Wife & 16 month old Son are now using my Firebird, that's how reliable a ride it is.
Read that thread and read it again.
I hope it helps. PS thnk of all the time you saved. I wish I listened to myself with my S-10 Blazer engine, I was hoping!

 

I am just gonna put another 2.8 out of a Camaro in, I found a good one for $150.

 

Good Score!
Spend the few pennies for a new timing chain and water pump. They cost $50, along with the gaskets, too.
800-831-0884 Northern Auto Wholesalers.
Those few extra details will keep that other block running for a while longer and make it feel stronger! Install a new oil pump spring, too. That's bout $5 from GM.

 

I bought the whole car for parts, So the engine out of there is going right in my Camaro. I figure, I don't want a V8 cuz of the gas. So I settled in on this. My friend is gonna sell me it in 3 weeks.

 

Way cool.
Be wise and obtain all those small part details to make our swap effort pay off.
I mean, you can work on this engine outta car.
And your effort will return the engine to it's best performance level!
And gas milage will be higher.
You win all around.
THEN part out remains of all your parts on ebay to recoupe your dollars spent on the swap project.
WOuldn't you like to have SOME EXTRA POCKET CASH, after all this swapping, towing, etc.
I know of someone needing a spare set of injectors for his Camaro. Right now! Bet those would sell real quick!
Read my swap thread. In the end, I sold my left over engine parts for $103.50. It was better, than nothing!
If ya wanna see a pic of all the left over parts I sold, email me.