tommy cravens

Just got this car kinda wonderin what its worth body is straight no rust there is a dent in the rear bumper interior is all there some tears in the seats t shifter with working tach car starts but smokes so I haven't tried to move thank you so much

jaunty75

The Old Cars Price Guide puts the value of a '64 Jetstar I in #4 condition (runs and drives but needs full restoration) at $4,400. You say the car starts but smokes, but I'm guessing that, if it starts, it'll move. If it can't be driven, that puts it in #5 condition, where the average value is listed as $2,640.

tommy cravens

Any recommendations on a good engine rebuilder in the phoenix area

rocketraider

You may not need a rebuild if the car's just been sitting. Change the oil and filter, then get it running and warmed up, then change the oil and filter again, adding a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil or Rislone. Run it 100 miles or so and change oil and filter again. See if that doesn't help. Moving it around won't hurt it even if the rings are so bad the plugs are oil fouling.

394 are known for blowby, but they are also notorious for valve seals and plugged cylinder head drainbacks. If oil pools in the rocker area and the valve seals are gone, the engine will suck oil in past the guides and smoke. I had one that went from 300 miles/quart of oil to over 1200 just by cleaning out the drainback passages, and the smoke was pretty much eliminated except on startup, which told me valve guides. 1200 miles/quart was acceptable oil usage to me, so I never took it any farther.


Now, if it does need rebuilding, 394 are not a cheap rebuild. Machine work is no more expensive than any other engine, but some of the parts will eat your lunch.

On that bumper, count yourself lucky it's just dented. Most 64 rear bumpers are rotted thru at the bracket mounts.

Oldsguy

Welcome to CO

tommy cravens

Thanks so much for the info how do I clean the oil drain back passages? Thanks again