[bearcat44]

Well here's the scoop. I've been looking for a 4th generation lt-1 for a while now to put into my 69 camaro. Since there are still a few other things I want to do to the car I haven't been looking all that hard. 3 weeks ago a 94 z-28 was wrecked in my neighborhood. The owner asked if i wanted to buy. So of course i went to go take a look at it. Here is what I found:

It hit a propane line (you know those evil orange and white things sticking out of the ground ) on the driver side front.
The owner had already removed the entire front end of the car including the radiator (it broke in the collision).
This left the engine exposed so I got a good look at it. The only external damage i could see was where the fuel line had smashed into one of the pulleys and scratched it (couldn't tell if it actually pushed it in.)
Also, the entire car was sitting wierd so i think he bent the frame.
Anyways i told him i wouldn't buy unless it started and he couldn't even get it to turn over.
My question is what could be causing this? Is the whole top-end of the engine fried or is it possible that the ecm just bit the dust? Or is there certain sensors that won't allow the ignition to start if they are unplugged. He said he had a local engine shop look it over and they said they didn't see anything externally wrong with it. Just looking for some advice cuz this would have everything i needed for the conversion except the electronic dash. By the way, he's asking 1200 for it but is removing all the interior, the doors, the t-tops and the hatch.
sorry bout the long winded post and thanks for any replys.

[JimM]

I'm bettin the motor's ok. Probably some computer or airbag related thing keeping it from cranking. Airbag deployed, right?

[bearcat44]

yes airbag deployed. he wants $1200. being a college kid thats alot of my money that i earned this summer...Just don't want to get ripped.

[67SS&99SS]

The opti spark distibutor may be messed up. You said that the radiator was damaged, correct? My bet is that it leaked coolant onto the opti and ruined it. My uncle has a 94 Z28 and it had a leaky heater hose. The water from it was enough to kill the opti. If you replace that I would strongly recommend replacing the water pump as well.

[Eric Kammerer]

Maybe one of the 4th gen owners here can chime in, or you may have to go to a 4th gen forum to verify this, but...

almost all later model cars have some sort of resettable kill switch/relay(?) in the fuel pump circuit that kills the juice to the pump in case of an accident. If I recall correctly, the one for a 4th gen is back under the panels under the hatch, near the tank. If you can't hear the fuel pump run a little when the key is turned, this needs reset.

[Eric Kammerer]

Also, depending on where you are and what else you hope to use from the car (trans? seats? not too much else there...), or part out, $1,200 seems steep for an LT1 unless it was a low mileage cherry.

[bearcat44]

It's definitely not low-mileage (95000). After talking to a few people tonight i think i'll tell him i'm not interested... Your right I think 1200 is steep for a engine that won't start.
Thanks guys