Can I swap a 96 Ciera 3100 into a 95 Lumnina car?

[bill buttermore]

Hi, new to the site.

My neighbor has a 95 Lumina with a blown 3100. I can get a low-miles 3100 from a 96 Ciera really cheap. But when I check search engines using Hollander's swap software, it does not show this can be done. Are the long blocks the same? If so, I can change out all the peripheral parts and electronics as long as there is a hole to put them in.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[bszopi]

Welcome!

Yes, the long blocks will be the same. As long as the top end of the Lumina is in good condition, then I would just swap it over. I would keep the Ciera heads, and just replace the upper and lower intake manifolds. All of the sensors on the lower end of the engine should be the same, so no worries there.

[bill buttermore]

Thanks bszopi for the reply. Will I be able to buy aluminum frame gaskets for the lower intake manifold? Or will the nylon be okay?

[SappySE107]

You will want the metal set for sure. Felpro makes them.

[bill buttermore]

Thanks for the quick advice, guys. I bought the donor car tonight and will be towing it home tomorrow with any luck. Tree fell on it - what a mess!

[bill buttermore]

Well, it's two months later and I finally got the 96 Ciera engine installed in the 95 Lumina. I did need to change the temperature sender on the water outlet to match the Chevy's wiring harness. I also needed to drill and tap a 1/4" pipe thread in the corner of the rear head to accommodate a temperature sender the Lumina had that was not present in the Ciera. I did end up using the LIM from the Olds, too, as the Lumina's was severely warped. It bolted right up. I also installed new rings and rod bearings, timing chain, and all new gaskets.

I have some running problems now that were not present when the engine was in the Olds and would appreciate some input. I am wondering if I should ask here or start a new thread?

[bszopi]

Either way... You will probably get more responses if you post a question in the Pushrod Maintenance forum, than in here.

As far as the temp sender in the rear head, you could have gone with a 3-wire temp sensor in the manifold, which would server the purpose of the 2-wire that is currently there, as well as the single wire in the head. But, it would just as fine the way you did it. Glad to hear you got it all worked out, with the exception of the running issues. Hopefully they will be easy to diagnose.

[bill buttermore]

Thanks, Brad. I posted the running questions in pushrod maintenance.

[bill buttermore]

Finished it today and delivered it to Russ' garage. Thank you all for your help.