contour needs a new motor -what can I do?

[wickersham]

Hi Folks,

I am quite excited about getting into CNG. I just purchased as 97 contour out at an auction. Going into this I knew that it had overheated and had the head gasket blown. It was the only cng car available, and that didnt seem too hard to remedy. Looking into the situation further I've found out that the pistons and cylinders are scored. So I need a new motor, or short block and head work at least. I am getting conflicting advice as to whether I need a special Z VIN engine block (only for cng) or if any 95-97 2.0 zetec engine will work. If any of you folks have any info on that I'd be very grateful. A source for a rebuilt block would be great as well, especially if it has to be a CNG specific block.

thanks,

wickersham

[wickersham]

Re: contour needs a new motor -what can I do?

Thanks for reading the post. It is a bi fuel cng/gasoline vehicle. I was told first that a normal 2.0L gasoline engine should interchange, (the difference only being in the cng delivery system) but now I have been told different. Neither of my sources has first hand knowledge working on or with these vehicles, so I thought I'd ask here.

[lshuster]

Re: contour needs a new motor -what can I do?

Try contacting Jasper Engines in Indiana.

They produce a very reputable remanufactured engine (long block) with a decent warranty.

They also have expertise in CNG and Propane engines (one of the few engine remanufacturers set up to do so).

Given recent used NGV prices you may find a lot more people willing to spend money on major repairs on their vehicles.

[karlhafen]

Re: contour needs a new motor -what can I do?

car-part.com shows a few "z" engines in the junkyards in the $650 range.

[wickersham]

Re: contour needs a new motor -what can I do?

Thanks guys. So it must be a 'Z' block that I have to look for, I cant use the regular gasoline blocks with a z intake? Ill try the two suggestions listed about right away.

[Lakewood90712]

Re: contour needs a new motor -what can I do?

Sell it as is to someone in a state with low cost cng.

[wickersham]

Re: contour needs a new motor -what can I do?

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I'm going to try and get it fixed. Even though CA doesnt have utah-like cng prices, cng is still just over half the price of gasoline and that makes this car about as cheap, or cheaper, than a prius to run.

I spoke to the folks at Jaspar engines and they told me that while you can swap a "Z" block into a gasoline fueled vehicle, you cant go the other way around because the "Z" engines have hardened valve seats that the regular gas motors do not have. Or do not have to such an extent, perhaps. I'm just passing this along. I had been under the impression that since the advent of leaded gas all valve seats were hardened, but it might be a matter of degree that is the difference between the heads on the bi fuel and regular gas vehicles. Thanks for the advice about car-part.com -I didnt know about that resource and I found some likely sources for a complete used bi fuel motor with low miles.