Just found out that a failed head gasket led to a hydrolocked engine. Shop recommends replacing the engine (148K) and quoted $4700. Does that match what I should expect?

 

It might. When the engine hydrolocked, it could have bent a rod. But, that's a bit hard to tell from over the internet. $4700 for a new engine installed? That's more than the whole car is worth. Since you're looking at having a shop do the work, I presume it's beyond you to do the job yourself? Then you'd be better off to part your car out, or sell it as it is, and find another one. As an example, on Craigslist in my area, there's a 95 Z28, 11k miles on replacement engine, 3k miles on replacement trans, along with some other things recently replaced, asking $5200. And that's another thing, with 148k miles on your car, your trans (if an automatic) is living on borrowed time. It could go another 50k miles, it could turn to toast on you tomorrow. Imo, dumping $4700 into your car would be a bad investment.

 

Thanks for the confirmation.

It is not beyond my ability, but my experience, and I am woefully unequipped to take it on. Also, it was my DD, so taking on a project that could take me weeks leaves me walking...