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Originally Posted by 97EldoCoupe  I stand by the Northstar V8. The few flaws that it has are nothing compared to what it's capable of doing. If you take a minute to observe the engine, how much engineering went into it to make it reliable- how well it performs and how little gas it consumes pulling these 4000lb cars, how the block was designed and machined...
50 HG jobs and well over 50 engines that I've taken apart and inspected. 3 had cracked cylinders, haven't found any since. 2 of those were Aurora 4.0s, one was a 4.6. Could be partially due to owner neglect and improper cooling fill procedures. One camshaft worn down and 4 lifters along with it. 0 warped heads - that's right - "0". Couple of engines with main & rod bearings worn down, loss of oil pressure at some point was the cause. When the owner drives with that oil light on, that can't be blamed on the manufacturer.
Yes they have oil leaking problems and HG failures. But we're talking 8,9, and 10+ year old cars here. They've already done their job and with a good refreshen- that's right not a rebuild, just new gaskets and seals and head studs, they're up to the task of driving another 200,000 miles.
Yeah, any engine's junk that doesn't last 100 years; that you can't pass on to your great-grandson when he enters retirement!!!!?????
So how many engines will have the original honing marks and very little wear on the cylinder walls after 200,000 miles? It was almost unheard of until the Northstar... the Buick 3.8 liter V6 and the Olds small block V8 are the only other two engines that I respect for their reliability. 403 Olds motors blew their HGs too, but they are well respected as engines that produce "Pure necksnapping torque".
I would sink 2-3k in the car any day of the week and continue to drive it before you'd see me out looking for another car. You really have to look at things differently- "I could have just as much problems with the next car I buy, at least if I fix the Caddy that's one repair that I shouldn't have to worry about again...". |
With my '93 STS, as in all of my past & present vehicles ( my '88 GMC truck has 342,000 miles & my '86 Yahaha FJ 1200 can go 180mph if I can keep the back tire from spinning).... I get a kick of working on my own cars. I'm a "car guy", crewing on Nostalgic Nitro Funny Cars, & transport driver pit stop crew to races like Daytona 24 Hr....... What I get in return for the VALUE of this STS is great. ( I'm shopping for a replacement car for a rich person and none of the cars are less than $100,000. Funny, they
love MY CAR!!
I am holding my breath about a possible HG problem, but if I drive in "standard mode" the car is running perfect. ( Temps within spec) Only spikes when I flat-out floor it)
But if it comes to a HG R&R, the VALUE in return is far more than dumping it for crap$$, and then what? Spend $50,000 + for a car that has simular performance? But high insurance costs, etc?
I don't think so.
I may have to drop the engine & do a HG job later this year, ( doing as much as possible myself).....
I'd like to see a mechanic's account as to what I am in for ( timing chain, etc.)
But I do understand, not everyone has the time / location to do extensive repairs.
For a while I thought he was smarter than that and was just pulling our collective legs and sitting back and watching what he created. Looks like I gave him too much credit. I hope he and his bug are happy over there. Still amazes me how anyone could make that transition.
