94 Northstar with broken valve.

[wpg-topsecret]

I'm looking at buying a northstar for my fiero. Here is the add for the motor on a local forum:

I am selling my northstar v8 out of a 94 cadillac, it needs a valve replaced.
- 300 hp
- v8 32 valve
- all aluminum
Comes with all wiring harness computer, engine is complete. I need it gone asap.
- Great for fiero swaps, hot rods, spare parts, etc.

Asking $300

And here is a response from the seller when I required why it needed a valve replaced:

The car had around 130km, it was a writeoff. I removed one valve cover about a year ago when i got it. One valve was cracked at the top, GM gave me a price of around $60 for the peices i needed. I never got around to doing anything with it. Now its sitting and i need it gone.

With a broken valve can I expect there to be more damage in the motor than just the valve? Are the chances of rebuilding the motor to use for reasonably cheap pretty good, or should it probably just remain a parts motor?

[zonie77]

If the valve broke so the head dropped in the engine it needs a LOT more work. You could take a look at it if it's close.

[wpg-topsecret]

How hard is it to pull the valve cover with the motor out of the car so I can have a look and see the damage there atleast?

[chevelle]

I don't think the "seller" knows what he is talking about......

Maybe you should go over there and look at it and see what he is calling a "valve"....

Since you really cannot see the "valves" by taking off the "valve cover" there is really no way of knowing what he is talking about being "cracked at the top". And no one is going to replace an engine valve for only $60. I suspect he is looking at some other part and calling it a "valve".

The biggest concern is the whole story and what really happened and what the condition of the motor is from sitting all this time....possibly with the cam cover already off as the seller suggests...???

[clarkz71]

No matter what the engine needs, it's worth $300 just for parts.

[wpg-topsecret]

Originally Posted by clarkz71

No matter what the engine needs, it's worth $300 just for parts.

That's what I was thinking....

[wpg-topsecret]

Here is an updated response I got from him when I told him you can't see the valves when you take the cover off:

it wasnt runnning when i pulled it out. the car was already cut in half. When you pull the valve cover off on the water pump side ( the one with the little pully) You see the top of the lifter i guess it is. It is cracked. I called the dealer about it and the pricing for the peice was around 40 bux. Sorry i never got around to pics yet, been working long hours. I will try again tommorow.
- Jason

[chevelle]

A lifter cracked..???!!!! There is likely much more damage to the engine. About the only way a direct acting tapped "cracks" is if the engine is severely overreved to teh point that the valves float. This causes a no-follow condition between the cam lobe and the tappet and as the tappet crashes onto the cam lobe it cracks. Not just one will crack..... The engine is still probably good for parts but replace ALL the lifters and/or do NOT consider them "good" parts.

[thu]

I agree 100%.

As the Monty Python Troupe would say, "RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!"

[wpg-topsecret]

With a cracked lifter, would it be safe to turn the motor over with a breaker bar and socket just to make sure everything's not completely siezed up?

Are lifters for the N* rather pricey?