Bought a Monte Carlo SS 1985 on Ebay.Needs a rebuilt engine, but still runs.Cheapest/Most Effective solution?

Question

The seller lives in Hartford, Kentucky and I live in Indianapolis, Indiana...I was gonna drive a Jeep Cherokee Sport to go get it...but would it be cheaper to pat $450 to have it shipped? He(seller) said it would make it to Indy, but it needs to have the engine rebuilt, and I need it to get back and forth to work after that. Have I been ripped off? I paid $900 for it. What kind of engine do I need to replace it with...it has a 305(what he said). Help me please.

Answer 1

how you get it home depends on how much you trust it, .......

I assume you have never seen the car or heard it run....

I would take my aaa card, credit card,my toolbox of craftsman tools and at least one car buddy along when i went to pick it up...

if it's drivable, drive it, if not have it transported

better would be a buddy with a dually and a four wheel trailer....

if the engine needs rebuilding, i would look for a salvage yard engine...

asmallblock chevrolet engine from any gm will fit..305 or 350

Answer 2

If this is a genuine SS Monte carlo you have a bargain. Check www.jasper.com or even Autozone or Pep Boys for a rebuilt long block. If the engine was rebuilt and certified by (d**n, I cannot remember the name but it is a national engine rebuilder certification group that requires engine exchangers/rebuilders to adhere to specific standards and use quality replacement parts) then the engine will be fine so long as you don't plan on doing any racing.

Answer 3

you may not have been ripped off,but i would take a dolly with me just in case,when he said it needs rebuilt that could mean anything,so it would pay to go prepared,on the engine you will need to find a good used 305 or 350 to go back in it,if it were me id go back with a real good truck engine,most of those was 4 bolt main engines and hold up very well,he may be right you might be able to drive it back,but i wouldn't count too much on making it back,if you at least take a dolly with you if it breaks down you can tow it from the point that it breaks down,and who knows it may make it all the way,good luck with it,i think you may need it.

Answer 4

Send me some pics. I'll give you $1500 right now.  

Answer 5

What the heck did you buy a car that needed work done on it if you have questions like this?? yaafm

Answer 6

Call Gm and get a price for a 305 crate motor and find out how much it would be to have it installed. another option call an engine rebuilder You can try Jasper rebuilt motor but you are still going to have to get it installed. Sounds like you can't do it yourself so you are looking for around 1200-1500 bucks for a dependable motor with a warranty. The body better be in really good shape for 900 because that's all you really bought and you still don't know about the tranny or rear end never mind the alternator starter radiator and so on & on. Good luck NEVER BUY A CAR UNLESS YOU SEE IT AND DRIVE IT FIRST

Answer 7

Your 85 Monte carlo may have been a good deal for 900 if the rest of the car is nice and you knew going into it that the engine was bad. Now when you get the car home however that may be, You should price around for a motor. A 305 exact replacement is good or you could find a 350 a little easier and fits and could hook up the exact same way and has more power. If you have no money to spend, This could be a bad deal for you, as a used engine could be risky to buy. expect to pay at least 500 for a decent used motor for the car and some time or money to install it. And count on needing unexpected things through the course of the job,(posible motor mounts or manifold gaskets) not limited to fresh oil and filter, antifreeze and may have to top off the tranny fluid by the time the work is done. Or if you bought it with hoby in mind, You could get a newly rebuilt engine I recomend from a company named Jasper for maybe around 2000. They will have a great warrenty. If you are very handy with tools and a manual(book) you could rebuild the engine yourself.

Answer 8

Since it will be a daily driver you won't be putting any crazy mods into it. Look into a short block, this will be the most reliable for the price. Another option is to have a shop in KY put the short block in it. This way you could save the $450, and put it to the car. Then drive it back.