[ToxicDoc]

HELP!
I am not at all mechanically inclined and being as how I work for uncle sam I am not wealthy. I have an 86 RC with a 360 and it is worn out and leaking a quart every three days! I check at the local parts store and they can get me a long block for 1500 (300 core with three year warrenty). I was thinking of tearing what I have down and trying to fix what is wrong along the way. BUT I think that is not going to work and being as how I suck at mechanics stuff I am stuck. Anyone have any idears. She is my daily driver and I am not sure what to do. I have a feeling she is going to die on me sometime! Thanks
Ryan

Honestly, this is not something you should be taking on yourself. You probably don't have the correct tools and certainly don't have the experience. Even if you could figure it out and methodically accomplish the swap, it would take your daily driver out for a considerable period of time as a first time job.

I would recommend you have a decent mechanic check for the leaks - that should not be pricey and will buy you a little time.

Then you either go to community college for an automotive program (I went weekends for 1 year when I first learned and it was nice and cheap) or make friends with someone who is mechanically experienced if you want to learn to do the swap. In the meantime a temporary replacement vehicle would be needed.

The alternative is that you shop around and let a local shop do the swap, or lastly you get another vehicle.

 

[ToxicDoc]

The issue isn't that it is that complicated, but not having done it before you can run into snags and considerable slow downs.  The description is accurate enough, but "simple" doesn't mean "easy" if it's your first time.  I did my long block swap in 3 days with a friend helping me for some parts (lineing up the engine with the tranny, checking throttle movement, etc)

If you're in the military, I understand plenty of bases have a "hobby" shop that the guys use for mechanical work.  Look for a friend there...