$5000.00 is way to high to rebuild an engine. I would
check compression on all cylinders. Check them first
dry. Then check any low ones after squirting some oil
in the spark pulg hole. If the pressure goes up you
need rings and probably should rebuild the engine (
about 2500.00) IF THE COMPRESSION Don't'T GO UP AFTER
SQUIRTING OIL IN THE SPARK PLUG HOLES you're rings are
prob ally OK and I would look at a valve job or a head
gasket. Since you said the compression was low on two
adjoining cylinders I would look at the head gasket.It
is not uncommon for a head gasket to go out between to
cylinders and cause low compression. Head gaskets are
easy enough to change but don't run the engine long
before fixing it or you may erode the head or block
where the gasket is leaking. Either way a valve job or
a head gasket is considerably cheaper than an engine
rebuild.
--- Imperial59crown@xxxxxxx wrote:
> Today I received the bad news from my mechanic that
> my '59 Imperial has very
> poor combustion from two cylinders now, and a leak
> in the brake booster, which
> would account for its lack of power lately, and poor
> braking. Now I am faced
> with the decision to either rebuild the engine, and
> brake booster, which will
> cost anywhere in the area of $5,000.00 for the
> engine alone, or store the car
> for a while until I have some time to shop around,
> and accumulate the funds
> for this undertaking. I am going towards storing the
> car, since it is becoming
> difficult to keep driving, having to put it in
> neutral at each stop light so
> the engine does not die out. My question is does 5
> grand sound like a lot to
> rebuild an engine, and that is most likely the
> minimum with this mechanic?
>
> Bill '59 Crown
>
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