I jus picked up this 88 camaro and wen i started it up the motor started knocking, the knocking sound like it is coming from the top of the engine and there was a screeching sound every other second, any advice would be much appreciated, also wen i start up the engine it will idle for a bit then the rpms will slowly drop and the engine will die

 

How is your oil pressure? Do you have a working oil gauge? Where was the screeching sound coming from, the lower part of the engine? A knocking and screeching sound coming from the engine could very well mean a spun bearing.

 

the screeching was coming from the bottom of the engine and the knocking was comming from the top, i jus checked my car and i never noticed but the oil pressure is really really low

 

I can see whare Camaro 69 is going with this. I was about to say oil pressure as well. I would bet the low oil is causeing the knocking. The screeching could be a worn pully, water pump or bearing (to name a few) Its alot easier to replace a water pump or pully than repairing a spun bearing. Try to rule out the others before opening up the mill.

 

well i think its messed up bearings, cuz wen i was driving it to my house i kicked up the rpms to shift into 2nd gear and the engine died and wouldnt start up again till later that day, and wen its in nuetral and i rev it up past 2k rpms the knocking becomes noticably louder and stronger suddenly

 

The "knocking becomes noticably louder and stronger suddenly" is the sound of the bearing turning in on itself (AKA spinnig) it is also the sound of the required repair doubling in cost.

 

X2^. Time for some beer, a chiltons and some buddies.