I,ve wanted to replace the whole engine for along time,,because of the chewed up crank keyway. The bottom otherwise isn't in that bad a shape,,,unless some of that irontite liquid headgasket remained in with the coolant. It was flushed clean by me and antifreeze I drained from sided of the block and Radiator was pretty clean,,????still???
Econmomy is not any better for me either,,,my COLA on S.S. this year will ammount to a signifigant cut in income.
I'm despirate as this is my only car and there is no public transportation where I live.
A sonata is what is needed but not to be found in these parts.
Frank R covered Diamante stuff a few years back. Different interfence pistons and cam timing take power bands up at 4,500,,and 5,000 rpm. He said you can't mix Monti cams with Dia. pistons,,,, some technical reason way over my head to explain, but the pistons will eventually get ruined. Don't know it ECU and CA emmision will get along. I have MT so power band might not be too noticable.
My cams have a billion miles on them. Left over from a Jasper Engine. They have pits and wearmark on the seal surface (Jasper!) Don't really want to keep them.
This was my Dog's Truck and he's gone now. My age and health and him not around to need this truck ,,,and me be forced to mail in a Non Op by next month,,,well one nieghbor complains and it's off to the crusher for another of the rarer and rarer rust free SWB.
AAAARRRRRRRGGGH!