Hello im new to this forum. I was looking at this 89 Camaro on craigslist and they say the engine is seized and needs to be rebuilt or replaced. The couple questions I have are is there certain things to look at to see if it can be rebuilt or is there a rebuild kit that can fix it? and the other what would be the better option money wise rebuild or engine swap? Thanks for any help and info.


89 Chevy Camaro V6

 

Ronnie, Im going to be the resident A-hole and answer....if you have to ask this question than this car is not for you. A seized engine has been subjected to serious internal damage from overheating or loss of internal lubrication, catastrophic mechanical failure or a combination of all three. Consider the engine in that car a total loss. Unless you are looking for a weekend project money pit, avoid it.

 

I once picked up a seized engine from a buddy. Pulled the oil pan and the oil was like black jello. It obviously hadn't had an oil change in ages, and the "oil" just stopped flowing. The majority of the damage was with the main and rod bearings, and actually the crank was able to be ground down and saved. No other internal damage was done to the engine. So, a seized engine doesn't necessarily mean it's trashed. I wouldn't make any determination till looking inside.
And not to get your hopes up, but it has happened before where someone's "seized" engine turned out to only be a bad starter, where the bendix gear was stuck into the flywheel/flexplate. It just seems weird how the seller says "but now it won't start, engine seized". You'd think he would have noticed a supposed seized engine when it locked up the last time he drove it. Engines don't generally seize from sitting, unless it gets welded together with rust by sitting for many years. It's worded like the guy went to start it one day and, oh no, it's seized. That's what makes me think it could be the starter, maybe.

 

ok thanks for all the info from both of you. I think I might take a gamble with it and see what I get. I'll let you guys know what happened. and thanks again for the help and info.

 

Take this into consideration.... the car has a new paint job, and, if the underside isn't all rotted to hell and the interior is decent, it's easily worth what he's asking even if it didn't have an engine. Talk him down anyway!

 

I have one more question I noticed looking at the pictures carefully, the rpm gauge is not resting at 0 and if you look at the picture where it shows the drivers seat you see it in the redline. could it be that its just broke or could this be the reason why the engine seized up and he just pushed it too hard and got stuck there?

 

The tachometer is electronic, and works off a signal from the ignition. It doesn't have a physical connection to the engine that could "jam" if the engine does. Relationship to tach position and condition of engine is unrelated. Besides, accuracy and reliability of these 3rd gen gauges can sometimes be crummy at best. I've had one before.

 

ok thanks again i just wanted to make sure what it was.