david-b's 2001 Grand Am DD fix

[david-b]

As you probably know I picked up a 2001 Grand Am 4cly as a DD and winter car. I got it for real cheap from a buddy because it doesn't run. He said a blown head gasket, but wasn't 100% sure. Also, pretty much every dash light is on.

The goal is to spend as little as possible on this car to get back and running, and be my DD while the Talon becomes a beast. The tires and battery are brand new, which costs more than what I paid for the car. He wanted it gone, so we had a great deal of $250.

This was the car when I got it towed by his brother to my street.


Today I got her to my parents house and diagnosed the problems. Crazy amount of coolant was mixed with the oil... blown head gasket. So I started tearing her down.


And the motor.


This all this with no books and just the help of my bro. I got pretty much everything off of this thing, minus the timing chain. I need to rent a pulley puller and get that all squared away, then the head will pop right off. Going to order all my stuff tonight and see how to all turns out.

This is a budget build, so will update with total amount spent.

Total spent so far on car: $250.00

[vanilla gorilla]

Nice start. I was under the impression that it was a V6. Because those are the ones that are so bad for popping HG's. Keep us updated.

[david-b]

The 4s also had problems too from what I've been reading. I ordered everything I need and should be getting it all by mid week. Update the pricing later. Still nice and cheap.

[SilvrEclipse]

Looks good man. Make sure to check the head to see if its warped.

[david-b]

Will be checking everything as I'm pulling it. All my parts are coming in and should be here by Wednesday looks like so I'll be working on this all week. Plus I'm broke now so I won't be going out. I'll be doing nothing but working on this thing.

The one thing I love about this car so far while working on it is that all the nuts and bolts are intact. I haven't broken, stripped or cracked any nuts/bolts yet. Everything is coming out very easy. Nice change of pace considering everytime I do anything on the Talon, at least 3 bolts break each and everytime. Got to love the "newer" cars.

I'm planning startup being on Sunday. The the Talon will be ready to go under the knife.

[SilvrEclipse]

Awesome. That thing should run great when you get done.

[vanilla gorilla]

+1. Always been a grand am fan. Comfy cars to drive and they look good also. We have had many different grand ams. All GT's. Had a 01 and 2 98's

[david-b]

Worked on it today. Ran into some problems, so this is as far as I got so far. 2 more bolts (that I can't get to right now) and the head is off. Working more tomorrow.

[ned032002]

Progress...I like it!

[david-b]

I still plan on startup being tomorrow, but I'm going to the Creed concert tomorrow night so we'll see how much work I can get done. I'm going to be out there bright and early. And if not done, I'll be working late Monday on it and everyday this week until it's done. Then, Talon will be filling up the garage.

[david-b]

[SilvrEclipse]

Looks good man. Shouldn't take to long to put it back together

[ned032002]

Looks like a good time.

[vanilla gorilla]

lol a good time? well damn com put my car back together since u enjoy it so much

[david-b]

That was the motor about noon yesterday. I had to drain the cylinders since they were filled with fuel from trying to start and left over coolant and oil and then relubed everything.

Right now the car has the head on, cams most of the way in, and a lot is back together. I was trying to do the timing chain but was having problems, and called it quits when I ran my finger between a cam gear and the chain when I left go of the tension. Ouch.

Got a new O2 sensor in there. Head and block are flat.

Tonight I'm headed back to my parents with my buddy and we're going to finish it up. Startup was supposed to be yesterday, but I'm pretty conifdent it will happen tonight.