GST jumped timing. Possible rebuild?

[lancermnguy]

A buddy of mine has a '98 GST. He said it jumped timing and doesn't run. He would sell it to me for $600 but it definitely needs a rebuild. We aren't sure the extent of the damage but is it most likely just top end? am I better off beefing the engine up while I rebuild it? Is it worth rebuilding or is it a better idea doing an engine swap or just finding a different car in better shape?

 

['97boostinGST]

It probably more than kissed the pistons, I would just pull the block out and replace the seals.

 

[Sebba]

I've seen plenty of timing jumps result in just a damaged head. You're going to have a little nick in the pistons but that's not that big of a deal. However, if someone sat on the starter then god knows what horrors are under the head. I would offer the guy $500, buy a new head on craigslist and start yanking her apart.

 

[eclipsalon]

hows the body? $600 doesnt sound bad to me if all it needs is a new head. slap another on for $200(?) easy 15 sec car

 

[Sebba]

Shit they are cheaper than that even. I guess after you account for the head gasket and stuff, yeah you've spent $200 .

 

[JusMX141]

Replacement head, gaskets, timing belt, tensioner, balance belt, and water pump. You can have this thing running for $400-$500.

 

[Gizmo63T]

It would be hard to say whats the damage until you open it. You can only guess whats toasted.
But like the Sebba said: "if someone sat on the starter then god knows what horrors are under the head."

 

[MichaelSuch]

It would probably make a nice cheap DD. It really all depends on what you are looking for in a car. Personally if the body is in good shape I would definitely buy it and fix it. If you decide later on you don't want it and want to go AWD or have different goals for a car, you can probably sell it and get more out of it than what you put in to it. Bare minimum you're looking at a head with new valves, guides, and all new timing components. Worst happens, you will need a whole new engine... Just depends on how extensive the damage is.

 

[eclipsalon]

also you can buy a built motor for about 2k, then you have a $2600 car easy 12s with a few more mods.

 

[DSML7dropkick]

600 sounds like a deal but for sure offer him 5. You could fix it and sell it to make a fast turn.

 

[delta448]

As long as there's not a valve head buried in any of the piston crowns and the body isn't rotting apart this is a great opportunity. Otherwise it will become a headache quickly. Try to talk him into pulling the head before you buy.

 

[lancermnguy]

Is it more likely to need a new head? Or could I pull it off with just a rebuild of the current head? What are the best upgrades to do while I'm swapping... cams, pistons, rods, etc? I'm going for a fast DD that still has some reliability

 

[92AWDHX40]

Well first of all if its a stock car, dd just use stock parts, once the head is pulled off have it inspected by a shop. Once thats done go from there, the stock engine is reliable, replace with same parts if needed, dont need to go overboard.

 

[livedsm4g63]

It all depends on how much damage was done. If the valves messed up the head, or if just the valves were just bent. But for that kind of a price I would buy it.