I am looking into buying a 1997 Camaro for cheap, the ad says "noise in engine, crank is gone" I'm looking to know if anyone else has had this problem, cost to fix, etc... I will be doing my own work but I would like to know before hand whether its worth bringing home? Any information would help greatfully! THANKS!

 

well the crank is an important part of the engine, but if anything internally is messed up (crank,rods,journals,etc) you will have to get the engine rebuilt and possibly machined

 

I have read (on this site actually) that internals from a FWD car with vin number "K" will fit in the RWD set up. I am well-aware that the crank runs the show and can very well cause progressive problems..I got hope :P

 

No further info on what is meant by 'crank is gone' Could be a number of things. How much does he want for it? How mechanically inclined are you?

 

If you are thinking used engine yes the FWD K motors will work, but when I was looking for a motor with under 50K that all seemed to be around the $600 in my area. I found a 2002from a Camaro for $650 with 48K on it. I was able to use many of the parts off the 02. I also have many parts left over like the spark modual and coil packs.

Since I thought I might be adding headers I pulled the motor from the bottom. You need the right equipment and room to do this. I did not take into count the room factor. I am sure that doubled the amount of work and time it took. A one and half car garage is just not big enough.

 

I am very mechanically inclined for my age, my father and uncle (who owns the shop we would be working in) are both ex-mechanics and have lots of knowledge or rebuilding GM v6's, 4.3's, 3.1's, etc. So help is plentiful.
The owner of the car is asking 1200, I know better than to pay full price, and I have lots of contact with people with parts cars for me (grand prix's, buick's, etc.) with the proper motor.

http://www.usedpei.com/classified-ad/8381942

that's the link to the ad.

 

I am still curious on what he means by 'crank is gone'. I bet its an assumption...

 

Most mechanics can tell the differents between a rod knock and a main bearing knock. Sometimes with a rod knock can be repaired without a crack needing replaced. Most of the time with a main brearing knock the crank will need replaced. Also if a rod bearing spun then the crank would be shot. So it is possible to be 90% sure that the crank is shot without tearing down the motor.

 

Ya I figured buddy was making an assumption, and I think it's his wife replying to me and she can't tell me anything so hopefully soon I'll get a run out and see it.

Do you suppose the motor mounts on the FWD and RWD are universal? or do we gotta do some custom fab if I were to go that way?

Thanks for all the help so far by the way!