I've never really brought my car in to a mechanic to be fixed, but this issue currently is completely throwing me off. See here -

https://www.vadriven.com/forums/tech-talk-9/94-z28-all-sudden-started-running-rough-yesterday-now-blowing-alot-smoke-out-267596/

***Skip this part, it's just me ranting***
I've done an engine swap in a 240 before but these damn spark plugs are kicking my ass. I barely got #1 out without stripping the plug, cutting the fuck out of my arm, and leaving me wanting to cry in the corner. It took me 30 minutes just to do that. I mean really, what the fuck. And that's just to see if there's possibly something on the spark plug that would give me a clue as to what's going on. Like 1 in 20 chance it's going to tell me something. Well, I know for a fact I'm not going to be able to pull the rear 4, not without a lift. Thinking about all the possibilities of what could be wrong is driving me nuts. I tried some of the fuel injectors and didn't see a difference in it running. Still spewing out smoke. Whatever.
*****
Anyway, point is, I'm hoping I can dish out about 100 or so and have this car diagnosed. Whether it be a blown head gasket, an injector, piston ring... etc. I can't diagnose it here. Anyone know of a reputable mechanic in the west end area of Richmond that I may be able to take this to and find out what the hell is going on?

 

how has it been acting up?

 

If you click the link, it explains there what's going on. It's basically smoking badly and running rough.

 

what color is the smoke

 

White with a hint of gray.

I don't know if this could be of use, but when I first start up the car, it has always made 1 loud knocking sound. It sounds like the piston would hit the head once when trying to start and the car would start fine. I did it earlier tonight when trying to unplug the injectors, and the first time I started it, it made a louder-than-usual knock sound, like someone hit the motor with a hammer. When it's running though, the motor is pretty quiet.

 

Well we charge either 75 or 85 a hour. I cant remember which,but I work at a nissan stealership and we had a 91 300 zx come in with a 350 swap and alot of messed up wiring. So I was instructed not to mess with it and to send it somewhere else.But for a flat rate we do charge 75 or 85 a hour but kinda frown on touching anything aftermarket. I hope that helps.

 

Uh, so basically if you get a lazy ass mechanic that's taking his time and may or may not be very good at what he's doing, you're basically screwed... because I would happily pay something like that if the guy knew exactly what he was doing and worked fast. I'm not a gambler... Thanks for that info, though. Guess I was hoping that would give you a flat rate, instead of hourly... "Oh I'm having a shitty day, I think I'll take my time on this one.."

No thanks. I've heard way too many stories from people who get screwed over by mechanics and mechanics themselves screwing people.

 

im sure there are some driven members that need some extra cash

 

Any with a good reputation gets $100 if they can find the problem. I need this car running yesterday.

 

Post up on a LT1 forum, do some research at obvious possibility's. I know they are a pita to work on and sometimes a bitch to get parts for.