x_atlas0
Well-Known Member
This is what I got back from the shop:
Good morning Walter
When we did the leak down and compression test we let the car sit over night in the shop and performed the leak down/compression test cold the next morning. It was not necessary to do a wet test because Dan could hear air coming out of the valve cover with the oil fill cap off. This indicates that it was going by the rings. If the air had been coming out of the intake or exhaust that would have indicated that it was a valve issue. As far as cost to rebuild engine, we would not have an answer until engine is taken apart. If we were to guess between 8-12,000 in labor and parts.
Is air going by the rings less serious than it going by the valves?
X_atlas0, you mentioned that a head rebuild is more normal than a bottom end for these motors. Do you have an idea of what a head rebuild might cost on an S38B36?
At this point, I am trying to avoid buying a car that will need $5000 (or more) in repairs/preventative maintenance on top of the purchase price. It seems like this car may not be the one.
-Walt
Walt-
When doing a compression test, I have seen it done cold and hot. A warm engine seals much better than a cold engine, but a cold compression test can give you better information in terms of engine health.
As far as a head rebuild goes, assuming you aren't doing the work yourself and the hard parts (cams, valves) are still good, it can be as cheap as 1500$ for new valve seats, gaskets, and decking the head+block. If you replace the valves, the price more than doubles.
sfdon-
Is that one of the 3.9L Dinan strokers? Someone in GA I met once (at Bobby Thrash's yard) had a Dinan turbo E24 M6, I wonder which would be quicker?