I'll start looking into that possible repair....

Thanks for the extra effort to provide your vehicle "engine knock" & to listen to mine...

Is this a DIY worth the time, $Money & effort for a vehicle w/ 245K miles...?

Well...that depends on you and what it'* worth to you.

If a motor goes on my Regal (which I paid $1400 for a year ago) I'd toss $250 into a JY motor, then drop it in within a day. To me that'* worthwhile. I'll be putting a transmission in soon. It cost me $200 to rebuild it.

If you think the car is worth $500 and the motor runs you $300.. well, it'* all in how you feel about the car.

Well, I like the vehicle & how it handles under normal driving conditions....the engine performed for such a long time...with relatively good mileage around 30 mpg highway...!!!

However, it is becoming a rust bucket...!

I'll probably just part it out or schedule a trip to the bone-yard. The tires, 'CAT', radaditor & transmission will provide a few $Recycled $funds...

X2 on putting a $300 junkyard motor if you like the car but know it has a limited lifespan due to rust.
Then while it is still running you have time to make an informed decision about what you will replace it with.
Roger.

If you have the tools you can rebuild. Pick up a short block, and about $200 in gaskets.

Where ya getting a low cost shortblock S1 Danno? Seems that a possible longblock is much less work .

Around here they want $650+ for a running long block, and $200-$300 for a good short block.

Dayyyyum. Glad I don't live there.

Here at the local "whoknowswhatyourpulling" yard. A long block/whole motor is $175. You don't really know anything about it, but I've pulled a few and had great success.

When I called around they wanted up to $1400 for a engine, plus a core charge. No thanks. I can rebuild for far less.