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396 Posts
I bought a cougar last year assured that the engine was rebiult and had less than 200 miles on it. It sat for some time after rebuild and needed attention and figured a little TLC and I would be alright. Fought my way through the scraps of paper from the "re-build" and find what I would call a "freshen-up". Re-Ringed, engine cleaned, new exhaust valves and not a whole lot more that I could find.
The engine is now after a leak-down test not good in 2 cylinders. one at 75lbs and other at 125. Both leaking from intake valves. The other cylinders are running between 140 and 145lbs. Local mechanics here are telling me that by the time I have the heads re-done I might as well just buy a crate engine because they are sceptical about the lower end. Looked into Edlebrock E-Street alum heads but have some mechancs wanting stupid $$ to install the heads, one guy had the nuts to tell me it was a $1000.00 job to swap heads, just for labor!!!
Current engine is a 302, not matching numbers, runs but lacks power to even squeak the rear wheels with the petal to the floor. I am not much of a mechanic, can follow instuctions if they are step by step but don't have tooling to pull engine and would have to replace heads with engine in car. One mechanic told me that there would be crap falling down into the engine if I did this, don't know if I believe this, maybe his way to get the work, maybe true, don't know.
I guess what the major dilema here is: do I have the engine pulled and put in a strocker which appears to be about the same cost of having this one rebuilt or keep searching for the elusive honest mechanic who can set me straight and get me where I want to be. Basically with a car that has enough power to light em up when I want to but is still well mannered enough for street use.
I am in Western Massachusetts, maybe someone out there has some experience with mechanics or shops out here that can help me out without me feeling like I need to bring a tube of vaseline with me when I pick it up??
Sorry if I am ranting, but this has been the most frustrating month of my life. Beginning to feel like I should just go to ITT Tech and learn to do this myself and then know it will be done right and for a reasonable price. If anyone can help, PLEASE let me know. It shouldn't be this hard to find smeone to a job like this, should it?
Any and all suggestions are much appreciated!!!
Thanks for listen to my ranting and hope you can make sence of it all.
Charlie
The engine is now after a leak-down test not good in 2 cylinders. one at 75lbs and other at 125. Both leaking from intake valves. The other cylinders are running between 140 and 145lbs. Local mechanics here are telling me that by the time I have the heads re-done I might as well just buy a crate engine because they are sceptical about the lower end. Looked into Edlebrock E-Street alum heads but have some mechancs wanting stupid $$ to install the heads, one guy had the nuts to tell me it was a $1000.00 job to swap heads, just for labor!!!
Current engine is a 302, not matching numbers, runs but lacks power to even squeak the rear wheels with the petal to the floor. I am not much of a mechanic, can follow instuctions if they are step by step but don't have tooling to pull engine and would have to replace heads with engine in car. One mechanic told me that there would be crap falling down into the engine if I did this, don't know if I believe this, maybe his way to get the work, maybe true, don't know.
I guess what the major dilema here is: do I have the engine pulled and put in a strocker which appears to be about the same cost of having this one rebuilt or keep searching for the elusive honest mechanic who can set me straight and get me where I want to be. Basically with a car that has enough power to light em up when I want to but is still well mannered enough for street use.
I am in Western Massachusetts, maybe someone out there has some experience with mechanics or shops out here that can help me out without me feeling like I need to bring a tube of vaseline with me when I pick it up??
Sorry if I am ranting, but this has been the most frustrating month of my life. Beginning to feel like I should just go to ITT Tech and learn to do this myself and then know it will be done right and for a reasonable price. If anyone can help, PLEASE let me know. It shouldn't be this hard to find smeone to a job like this, should it?
Any and all suggestions are much appreciated!!!
Thanks for listen to my ranting and hope you can make sence of it all.
Charlie