Need help fellow Camaro friends.

[shamrockbear]

So friends I need advice like everyone else I’m upside down on my 77 Camaro 490 big block I got about 25k into it and I threw a damn rod with 3500 miles on it I want to kill my builder. My question is a new setup block is going to cost me about 8-9 grand installed. Someone offered to buy the car from me for 8 grand. I’m in a catch 22 situation should I take the money find a new project car or pay and have it redone I’ll throw up a photo or 2 need help and advice what to do or should if I change the setup this motor gave me lots of issues because of the size. If I change the motor size I have to change all the setup and it will cost me another 2-3k if I go to a 383 or any other block size. So what to do need help peeps!!!!!

 

[Lowend]

Here's the ultimate questions:
1) how much do you like the car?
2) how car along do you feel the car is (the car looks pretty far along in pics)?

It's really crappy the engine went out so fast. I would say if you're going to keep the car, you're better off going through the engine you already have than starting from scratch. Did the rod damage heads etc?

 

[mallard]

Of course I can only comment for myself, but unless I'm totally sick of the car or getting out of the hobby, I'm keeping it. I at least know what I have, whereas with another project I'm completely back to square one. As the saying goes "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know."

 

[RS1979]

Is there any chance the builder will help pay for a new block and crank if needed?

 

[Revin]

buy a running engine( beater 350 or something) on the cheap you can drive it till the money/new block is done.

 

[shamrockbear]

Here's the ultimate questions:
1) how much do you like the car?


I do like the car my only gripe I’d prefer pre 73 front end but regardless car is sharp. Interior was redone and paint is nice. Electrical was redone as well.

2) how car along do you feel the car is (the car looks pretty far along in pics)?

It prettty much done you know trhere always crap breaking or you want to make look nicer but it’s decent overall.
Also I didn’t have electronic EFI but that’s new school annyways.

It's really crappy the engine went out so fast. I would say if you're going to keep the car, you're better off going through the engine you already have than starting from scratch. Did the rod damage heads etc?

Yes I want to kill my builder guys been at 20 years and has to screw my motor up azz wipe
Not sure of the damage if the crank is damage but my buddy says that you have to redo three whole motor to ensure it’s solid again. And I know the other problem is most speed shop use cheap Chinese garbage so I don’t trust any speed shops.

It’s either 8k or find another car for 16k what do you think I can get 8k for the car and put up the other 8k and get a car for 16k maybe a bit more?

 

[shamrockbear]

buy a running engine( beater 350 or something) on the cheap you can drive it till the money/new block is done.

Can’t do that the setup is for big so I’d have to buy all new parts starter ect ect.

 

[dcozzi]

If you like it, keep it.
Sounds like you are out 8 grand no matter which way you go and may wind up with additional problems besides the motor with new/different car.
Will a different car have a decent rear end? $1200+
Will it have a good trans and converter? $1000+
You get the idea.

 

[73rsltz]

Find a crate big block and just swap it the parts on and drive it. I would suggest take down the motor and see exactly what’s wrong with. Keep it.