Should I fix my car or move on?

[Bragill25]

I bought my 97 GTP for 2400 that has 180000 miles. I've only put 6000 on it since I got it in June. Put 1600 into getting it running smoothly which in turn messed it up completely. I think my mechanic used a circular grinder to take off my old intake gaskets which threw the shavings into my engine and grinded the inside up because now it barely runs and my other mechanic said he could see where he used the grinder on the engine. Should I spend more money rebuilding it or buying another engine or just give up on it.? I'm running out of money to put into this thing. So just wondering if it'd be worth it.

[REDCRAPGP]

First thing you should do is punch the first mechanic in the face. Second ask for help here before paying a mechanic. Most of us can walk you through the majority of the problems you'll have. Personally I would go get a junkyard motor and throw it in..our motors are very common.

[Jevik]

The motors are fairly prices and common enough. More impressed that you don't have tranny issues. My vote would be to toss a junkyard engine in it. Shouldn't have any problems then.

[87IROCZOWNER69]

Who the hell uses a grinder to remove gaskets inside the engine? I've always used a scraper after I have covered up the openings in the engine.

[LeadfootCJ7]

I bought my 97 GTP for 2400 that has 180000 miles. I've only put 6000 on it since I got it in June. Put 1600 into getting it running smoothly which in turn messed it up completely. I think my mechanic used a circular grinder to take off my old intake gaskets which threw the shavings into my engine and grinded the inside up because now it barely runs and my other mechanic said he could see where he used the grinder on the engine. Should I spend more money rebuilding it or buying another engine or just give up on it.? I'm running out of money to put into this thing. So just wondering if it'd be worth it.

Sorry to hear your luck.

When I used to work at a Chevy dealer, the Firestone place across the street was our best customer. They would use scotch brite pad and discs to clean the old intake gaskets up. That crap would get in the motor and within 200 miles the vehicle owner would be on our service drive with terrible rod knock. I cannot recall how many 5.7 Vortec, 3100, 3400, etc motors Firestone got to pay us to put in. The worst part was, they never stopped doing it. You would think they would eventually learn.

Make sure the shop looking at it takes pics, gets an oil sample, etc. Do not have them dig too far into it until you contact the original shop and let them know what has happened. The original shop will want you to bring it back for them to put a new/used motor in. You do not have to let them do this. In fact, I would recommend against it. They have proven that they don't know how to work on your car properly.

This is likely to be a stressful experience, but you should be able to get it take care of without spending any more money out of your pocket.

[ctracer]

before you even ask about replacing an engine, how bad is the rust?
transmission, is it stock? ever been maintainced? how are the tires? stock suspension parts?
if your car is good in all of those areas, then i would go for the motor swap. otherwise i wouldnt justify spending a thousand dollars to swap an engine into an already dead car.

[Bragill25]

The guy works at this decent sized auto shop which in my stupidness I fell for it. Obviously the employer doesn't always reflect the employees, which I learned the hard way. On my car's details the whole thing is stock. I put on new falken tires when I bought it along with a fuel pump, tensioner, wheel hub, $1000 in engine repairs and just tinted the windows a week ago. The rockers are rusted pretty good which I know is very normal, the rear wheel wells are rusted a little, peeling a little bit more every time I look, but I was looking at replacing that until this happened but I have no idea what that would've cost. Transmission seems pretty smooth except for when you put it down (about 85%+) then it has a long hesitating shift. I changed the fluid and filter but that didn't help. Get about 20-22mpg. Engine WAS good until this. So irritating to put most of my money into this thing then have some guy screw it all up for me. Sorry for the novel but appreciate all the help.