98 Z28: lifters not pumped up. Running like crap.

[NewZ]

I'm looking at buying a 140 mile Z28 that was running fine. The owner took it to the movies, got gas, and parked it for the night with no trouble.

When he tried to start it the following day, it ran like crap. Engine making noise, he said it was ssmoking, etc...

One of his friends pulled a valve cover and found the lifters weren't pumping up and obviously, the rockers aren't sitting tight.

I'm looking to buy the car cheap to fix, but want to make sure I'm not getting in over my head.

What do you guys think? I haven't owned an LS1 since 2002, but I'm looking to get back in the game.

Thanks for the help,
Alan

[Knight]

IMO I think I'd avoid it. Lifters don't just go bad overnight. Sounds more like over abuse or improper maintenance to me. I'd be afraid of what else I'd find when tearing the engine down.

[NewZ]

I'm thinking about buying it with the assumption that the motor is toast.

He didn't drive it once it started running badly. I'm wondering if I can replace the oil pump and it'll be an okay driver for a while.

[NewZ]

And it sucks that i had to re-register in 2005. I've been a member since 1999. :/

[wileyCoyote]

140 mile, as in 140 miles, or as in 140,000 miles?

[NewZ]

Sorry about that. It's 140k.

I took everyone's advice and passed on the deal. It had too many issues for me to take on another project.

[thearborbarber]

Could be a split o-ring on the oil pick up tube. That was a real problem with the 97-98 ls1 engines.