Blake Noble

Just. Awful. (Hey! Floyd's not a premium subscriber and he can post videos. What's up with that?)

I'll figure something out.

inb4: shitstorm oh wai-

Yes, about that much time. The guys that I know that will do it cheaper than a shop have day jobs and work on cars on the side (they're ex-mechanics too, just in case someone was wondering) so they can't exactly do it ASAP. I'm sure you guys know that how soon it's done all depends on who you take it to. It took a whole year for a friend of mine to get a 302 stuffed in his Mustang. The guy who performed that swap was a full-time mechanic, but he always had other work he had to do while he was working on the Mustang.

But is yours free like mine?

Seriously, in this situation I need the quickest, most affordable solution, even if it might not make the best sense. Okay, so if I have an engine swap performed on the Regal instead of buying another daily driver, the car will be out of commission for a while; the guys I know who would do it reasonably (since I don't have a cherry picker nor do I know someone who would let me borrow one) around here could have it done after about two months at the earliest, judging by what I know. I'm taking a chance too on another engine since there's a chance I might not know how many miles are on it and if it has been properly maintained. I could have the Rocket 350 rebuilt, but that isn't looking too affordable either. Some shops around here have actually told me that they don't rebuild engines that old or that it would cost upwards of a grand in a rough estimate. I'm not sure if any of my "affordable alternatives" could have it done as soon as I'd like either. In reality I'd like to buy a manual and tackle the rebuild myself if at all possible, just take my time, do everything right, and know everything that I've done to it. I'm simply not going to subject the Cutlass to real-world abuse for x-amount of months while the Regal is out of commission (parking lots and asshole drivers, just to name some reasons why I won't do it, this car is my baby and I do stay paranoid about it, even if it isn't 100 percent finished and the paint job could be a bit better; someone else might see it differently, but that's just how I feel about it). I could hitch rides to work a few days out of the week, but I'd really hate to do that. I've relied on myself for quite a lot so far and I'd rather not start relying on someone else now, even for a brief period of time. That's just how I am. The cost of another daily driver would cost as much as swapping the engine ASAP in the Regal or the price of a rebuild but I wouldn't be subjecting the Cutlass to any possible damage, which I can't really afford to have happen. Then again, having the Regal fixed would be worth it, but I'm not sure being without a daily driver for so long would be something I could deal with. That's just how I'm thinking right now. I'm trying to weigh out all of the options and their outcomes. Regardless, I'm getting screwed somewhere. That's just the reality of the situation. I'm going to be out money that I was hoping that could be used elsewhere for something I really wanted to buy and start the process of getting it back in order before I head off to college and now it has to be appropriated elsewhere to correct a situation I was confident that I wouldn't be in again for the third fucking time this year. I've done the screwdriver trick and it seems to be coming in the direction of the front of the engine, so I know it's definitely in the engine itself and only serves to reinforce my conclusion that it's a rod/bearing. Haven't tried flushing the motor. I've pretty much come to the conclusion it's a rod/bearing since I've eliminated all other suspect areas, so it probably wouldn't help. I might give the flush a shot when I get my paycheck this Friday, just to see what happens.

I'd make the Cutlass a DD, but I almost have a nasty phobia of doing that. I didn't intend for it to be a garage queen (it's about three rungs on the ladder away from becoming one sadly; I only drive to work in it on a have-to basis and it only really gets out on certain long-distance trips and weekends) and I probably wouldn't care to drive it around 24/7 if I didn't dump a bunch of money and savings in it. I can't afford to have something happen to it. (I know it's a big, red bullseye for a theif As for the 307, it has been rebuilt and just about everything replaced, but I just don't want a 307. They weren't exactly the best Olds engine ever built (they burned oil new from the factory and have a nasty problem with leaking coolant) and I would actually trust the Regal less than I do now with it under the hood. I'm going to check it out tomorrow evening (that cheap Firebird too) just to kill some time, but I really don't have any intentions of buying it (same for the Firebird; I'm just putting all of the options on the table and seeing where they go without any serious intentions). Gathering a few thoughts ... The Cutlass's door panels, rear bumper, upholstery repair, and eventual new paintjob are going to have to wait until whenever. I do have the headliner and new seals waiting to go in it, so I'll do that job soon. At this point, the Cutty isn't a top priority. The Regal will be the new long-term project and I'll finish it over the course of the next few years. I'll have it repainted, the rest of the interior trim installed, and a new engine in it. I'll either keep the Rocket 350 as a rebuild project and put it in another Cutlass sometime in the distant future. If I can locate one cheap enough, I might just follow through on a LT1 (or a 305TPI) for the Regal like I originally planned. As soon as I find another daily driver, I'll remove it from my insurance policy. I do have one bridge I'll have to eventually cross, though (how to move it if I move out of Berea if the engine is out of the car by that time). Pick up a decent Trans Am. ... Maybe.

Yeah, right now it's looking like I'm going to pass on that particular T/A. Right now I'm trying to get a general idea about what an engine rebuild would cost. I also have a lead on a 307 for the Regal, but it's looking like I'm going to pass on it too.

I called about the cheap '99 T/A and it has 180,000 miles on it. It's also in about the same shape my '98 Firebird was, meaning it isn't in perfect shape (the guy did say that there was a big dent in the rocker panel, as if someone had driven it over a curb and it's missing the T/A rocker panel effects). It's under the KBB private party value, though, for a car in its condition.

Anyway, taking up Mr. Bond's advice, I might just pursue this: http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1454654259.html It's a four hour drive away, but the color is right and the price is too. I'll give 'em a call tomorrow and find out the complete story on it. I'll probably keep the Buick and just make it a long-term project, emphasis on long-term. It's a bit up in the air, though.

Is it possible to pull a Bud Dwyer on a forum board?

Well, knowing he didn't steal it, offer him $35 or $40 bucks if you want another one since the OEM stereo is more expensive.

These trucks are getting a new interior as well, correct?

Has our suspect said anything else so far besides "more pics later?"

I don't even know anymore. Fuck it.

Might as well just send it to the crusher then.

Thinking about it, I'm just going to let the Regal go. Does $2,000 sound reasonable to anyone here?

Imagine if they sold it in the US with that name (chances are they won't, yeah, but still). Guy 1: "Whassat thur?" Guy 2: "Lerks like-a Buerick." Guy 1: "Whassa name on it? Ying ... ying ... what?" Guy 2: "I thinkya says it 'Ying-yang.'" Guy 1: "Did you say 'Johnny Lang?'" Guy 2: "I says Ying-yang!" Guy 1: "Fling-flang?" Guy 2: "Clean thathur cotton outta yer ears. It's pronounced YING-AH, YANG-AH." Guy 1: "Ah, yeah, yer right. Whert a dumb name."

*sigh*

I would if I allowed myself a bigger budget. That and I can't really afford the downtime while the engine is rebuilt. A DD is of the utmost importance right now. There is another option besides rebuilding the engine. I know someone who has an Olds 455 that would drop right in for $200 bucks. I'm hesitant because I would be taking another chance on an unfamiliar engine in an unknown condition. Honestly, while a 455 would be nice, I'm content with a 350. A 455 would rape my wallet at the pump. I wouldn't keep that '94 Firebird anyway. If the exterior is the worst part about it and the miles are under 160k, I'd correct its cosmetic issues and sell it for a decent profit that could go towards either the Regal or another DD, depending on what course of action seems to be the best at the time. I'm going to check out the Firebird Wednesday if I'm still away from work.

Exactly.

The guy who has the '94 Firebird said he'll let me have the car for $700. I'm thinking $650. Again, provided that it isn't a total shitbucket.

Oh hai. Charger4U doesn't post here, plz leave.

The Avett Brothers ... now there's some awesome folk music. I think we know who isn't awesome.