For those following my Brick saga. I accidently perforated the #1 cylinder while replacing the water pump. With the head off, you can see the hole. I have a picture of it, but don't know how to download it. Anyway, I decided to try to repair the block. After much helpful info from this site, I didn't trust myself to pull it off. I took it to the best mechanic around here (I'm in Pa., but he's on the Jersey side.) At first he didn't want to do it. He wasn't sure it would work. I talked him into it and promised to pay his hourly rate, no matter what. He's a great mechanic. And to his credit, he didn't laugh in my face when I told him about my boneheaded mistake.

This guy did it. He put a steel set screw in the cylinder wall, grinded it down on the piston side, and put the head back on with new gaskets, etc. When I started up the car, it smoked for about an hour, burning out the anti-freeze from the exhaust system. Then it purred along fine.

Now it runs fine. Better than ever. I drove it today for about three hours in all kinds of traffic. No smoke from the tailpipe.

It was an expensive mistake, but I'm glad my car's rolling again. Thanks to everyone for their terrific ideas and suggestions.

Best,
Cuddy