95 Grand Am 3100, 293k miles

[natehale88]

Yes you heard it right! I just bought a 1995 Grand Am with 293k miles on it for $250 and it needs some work!

I took the valve cover off and noticed that one of the push rods on an intake valve somehow pushed its way up through the rocker arm and is rendering itself useless. I also noticed that there is some coolant in the oil.

I am figuring that the coolant in the oil is coming from a bad intake gasket? Is there a write up or a guide on how to change the intake gasket? Also is there a way to buy a new push rod and rocker arm? Is it even worth it to do this or should I just get a motor from a junk yard and have it put in? The motor is surprisingly in good shape and very clean.

Whatcha think?

[robertisaar]

old as shit motors don't seem to be a very good investment. JYs will have much better options than to try and revive that ancient 3100.

that and how well was the motor maintained... you wouldn't know, you werent the one that drove it almost 300K miles. but more often than not, those are NOT going to be the only issues with the motor.

[natehale88]

old as shit motors don't seem to be a very good investment. JYs will have much better options than to try and revive that ancient 3100.

that and how well was the motor maintained... you wouldn't know, you werent the one that drove it almost 300K miles. but more often than not, those are NOT going to be the only issues with the motor.

I believe you have been proved wrong in this instance with the fact that after I replaced the intake gaskets and the pushrod that was bad this motor has since gone another almost 50k miles . Still purrs like a kitten with a cold!

[robertisaar]

even if i'm wrong, i'm happy to see another 60V6 stay on the road.

[natehale88]

Damn straight.. I have seen some knarly looking ones making some crazy a$$ noises before and they just keep chugging along! If only more people knew how long they lasted after the intake gaskets are replaced with the good ones.. The coolant in the oil issue always gives em a bad rap

[Jcdew67]

I think 2.8,3.1 and the 3.4 motors are awesome myself. I have a 1996 Monte Carlo (3.1) with 254k miles(just changed head gaskets and intake gasket). 1987 Firebird with a 2.8L that has 281k on it and engine and transmission have never been out of the car(I did change the timing chain at 220k) and a 2003 3.4 Impala with 170k on it. While the Firebird uses about a quart every 3 months the Impala and Monte Carlo burn or leak none. Just have to take care of them is all

[Heartbeat1991]

I think 2.8,3.1 and the 3.4 motors are awesome myself. I have a 1996 Monte Carlo (3.1) with 254k miles(just changed head gaskets and intake gasket). 1987 Firebird with a 2.8L that has 281k on it and engine and transmission have never been out of the car(I did change the timing chain at 220k) and a 2003 3.4 Impala with 170k on it. While the Firebird uses about a quart every 3 months the Impala and Monte Carlo burn or leak none. Just have to take care of them is all

That was worth a 3 year bump.

[hal.lyman]

Nice.

[Jcdew67]

While a post can be old it is never truly "dead" as long as it is relevant otherwise history books would be a waste of time. =P

[Century7667]

Just to prove it, another 3100 is fixing to come back from a LIM failure after sitting in the garage for 2 years!

Ken T.

[Century7667]

Just to prove it, another 3100 is fixing to come back from a LIM failure after sitting in the garage for 2 years!

Ken T.

I forgot about this post. I did complete the job, and that 3100 purrs like a kitten. Good engine!

Ken T.