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85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
#757008 February 18th 2020 9:49 pm
Joined: May 2018
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Got some unwanted news from my mechanic yesterday. A compression test confirmed my suspicion that my 85 Chevy V6 has a head gasket leak. In addition to that a new knocking noise started when I accelerate which he thinks could be a rod or bearing. Regardless, it's pretty likely the engine needs to be replaced.
I don't have a lot invested in this van and I don't have the ability to swap in a new motor myself. Should I cut my losses and sell it to someone who might be able to save it? Get quotes on having a crate or rebuilt engine installed?


[Linked Image]
Re: 85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
sunnydog #757009 February 19th 2020 12:02 am
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Is the knocking audible during warm up and idle as well? Simplest would be to repair or rebuild the existing engine (if that’s really required) since you have everything already. A 350 would be a nice upgrade and can be done cheaply depending on if you can get a complete set up but you’ll still have a decent list of little things to buy. I guess it depends on what you want out of it. Is the rest of that van worth putting money into?


1987 B250 - Painkiller
Re: 85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
sunnydog #757010 February 19th 2020 8:02 am
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From the picture it looks like a nice van, it would be well worth a repair or swap, but bottom line is it will take a little green to fix it and we all know the list grows when you start on a project no matter how tight you stick to budget.


When in doubt..get the sawzall out..
Re: 85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
sunnydog #757015 February 19th 2020 11:08 am
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I hate when this happens but no window shorties are not easy to find. Your van looks solid so to me, is worth some investment.

First off, take it to another mechanic for assessment and dont tell them you have previously taken elsewhere. Play dumb and just tell em it is running poorly, see what they say. If you get bad news again, go to Plan B.

I would put a hot little 350 in that thing but frscke would suggest a big block. laugh

Re: 85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
1959 #757017 February 19th 2020 11:17 am
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Originally Posted by 1959
I would put a hot little 350 in that thing but frscke would suggest a big block. laugh



BIG BLOCK BIG BLOCK 454 MAKE THOSE FLAMES FOR REAL WITH A 454 ! ! !


OH YOU GUYS KNOW ME SO WELL …. LOL


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: 85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
sunnydog #757018 February 19th 2020 3:31 pm
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I close my eyes and imagine the little Shorty in the Burnout box at City park here.
Posi, Up in Smoke!!!
shift

Re: 85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
sunnydog #757098 February 21st 2020 2:59 pm
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should not be hard or too expensive to find another engine for it (another 6, or even a used 305, 350, or truck big block) and get some friends together for a weekend of beer drinking and engine swapping.


[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]
Re: 85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
sunnydog #757132 February 22nd 2020 8:21 pm
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That is a real shame. On a positive note, used 4.3s are not terribly expensive. Sometimes you can even find them low mileage if you call around. Salvage yards have piles of good ones.

Re: 85 Chevy Shorty-Advice Needed
sunnydog #757133 February 22nd 2020 8:24 pm
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Look on Craigslist too, there are some people with garages that do side gigs for a good discount on labor. Doing a job like that in the winter is no walk in the park especially on a van.

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