1974 Vega engine replacement?

[74Vegan]

My 140 has 60,000 original miles, but it puffs blue smoke on acceleration so I know it's worn inside. Rebuilding doesn't seem like something any mechanics around here could do as there are no rebuild kits, probably it takes months to find all the correct parts separately on ebay etc, tear the engine down and rebuild it, doesn't seem doable.

I like the idea of driving a 74 Vega Notch daily in NYC. What engine/tranny combo could I just bolt in the easiest and cheapest? even if it's a modern engine I don't care as long as I can keep the car on the road. Is that even an option? Get like a used 4 cycl engine small and just drop it in?

Thanks!

[283vega]

old s10 engine or iron duke

[monzaaddict]

How bad is the smoking? Is it when accelerating from a stop? What do plugs look like? Does it run good otherwise? A compression test and leakdown test would give an idea of condition of engine. I would start by changing the valve stem seals. I'm on long island and am getting ready to do the same in a 75 monza with the vega motor. I just bought the factory tools to remove the camshaft and valve springs.

[283vega]

I had a valve job done on an old vega once. They knurelled the guides and replaced the seals and it went from using a quart every 200 miles to a quart every 2000 miles.

[74Vegan]

How bad is the smoking? Is it when accelerating from a stop? What do plugs look like? Does it run good otherwise? A compression test and leakdown test would give an idea of condition of engine. I would start by changing the valve stem seals. I'm on long island and am getting ready to do the same in a 75 monza with the vega motor. I just bought the factory tools to remove the camshaft and valve springs.

It does run good otherwise. Frankly nothing wrong with it that I can tell. I drive it on weekends, takes off well, Got lots of pep. Next weekend I plan on changing the oil, Ill take some video of what I'm talking about. It's whenever I hit the gas, POOF blue smoke. But also lets say I been driving for an hour, when I come to a light I see smoke from the tail pipe come up.

[74Vegan]

old s10 engine or iron duke

Funny, now that you mention it the guy who sold it to me said Iron Duke. the only one I ever found online was on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-151ci- ... SwpzdWqo5I

but its in Chicago and waaaaaaay too overpriced.

[monzaaddict]

https://itstillruns.com/bad-valve-seals ... 48959.html

[cosvega76]

How bad is the smoking? Is it when accelerating from a stop? What do plugs look like? Does it run good otherwise? A compression test and leakdown test would give an idea of condition of engine. I would start by changing the valve stem seals. I'm on long island and am getting ready to do the same in a 75 monza with the vega motor. I just bought the factory tools to remove the camshaft and valve springs.

It does run good otherwise. Frankly nothing wrong with it that I can tell. I drive it on weekends, takes off well, Got lots of pep. Next weekend I plan on changing the oil, Ill take some video of what I'm talking about. It's whenever I hit the gas, POOF blue smoke. But also lets say I been driving for an hour, when I come to a light I see smoke from the tail pipe come up.

From what you're describing, I'd agree with the valve stem seal assessment. It's just a PITA job on the Vega engine.


Chuck

[74Vegan]

How bad is the smoking? Is it when accelerating from a stop? What do plugs look like? Does it run good otherwise? A compression test and leakdown test would give an idea of condition of engine. I would start by changing the valve stem seals. I'm on long island and am getting ready to do the same in a 75 monza with the vega motor. I just bought the factory tools to remove the camshaft and valve springs.

It does run good otherwise. Frankly nothing wrong with it that I can tell. I drive it on weekends, takes off well, Got lots of pep. Next weekend I plan on changing the oil, Ill take some video of what I'm talking about. It's whenever I hit the gas, POOF blue smoke. But also lets say I been driving for an hour, when I come to a light I see smoke from the tail pipe come up.

From what you're describing, I'd agree with the valve stem seal assessment. It's just a PITA job on the Vega engine.

So like a $1000 job? And someone who specializes in the 140 engine?

Chuck

[74_Vega_GT]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=38330&p=278033&hilit=offenhauser#p278032
.This valve work with fresh cam bearings and titanium inserts on 3 stems are knurled maybe as it was long ago . No Smoke..lots of power...Still for sale

[74Vegan]

http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=38330&p=278033&hilit=offenhauser#p278032
.This valve work with fresh cam bearings and titanium inserts on 3 stems are knurled maybe as it was long ago . No Smoke..lots of power...Still for sale

I'd be interested but you're in FL. Did you have a video of it running?

[rpoz-29]

I agree with the valve stem suggestion. Removing the cam is a pain. You can either pull the head, or unbolt the motor mounts and raise the engine high enough to clear the header panel on the front of the car. The hood will have to be removed as well. Pulling the head and taking to a shop may be the easiest, but finding the necessary gaskets to put it back together is challenging these days. You'll also have to borrow, or rent a cam removal tool. The teflon valve seals are pretty tough. I never needed to replace the cam bearings on a Vega. They seem to be pretty tough. Good luck!

[monzaaddict]

the cam removal tool j23591 is available on ebay. j23995 is the spring compressor adapter. j23600 is the belt tension qauge (I am not sure you actually need this if you use the j23654 timing belt tensioner and torque wrench. j23654 is the timing belt tensioning tool which is used with a torque wrench. the cam seal, valve stem seals, egr gasket, water pump, thermostat housing gasket and thermostat are available from rockauto. the valve cover gasket, cam retainer gasket, head gasket, intake, exhaust gaskets are on ebay.

[74Vegan]

20201107_174926 (1)_1.jpg

All my plugs have this yellow deposit looking stuff on it.

[74Vegan]

20201107_174936_1.jpg