1998 Olds Achieva engine pull

[rfingon]

All will be happy to know that the 3100 is out of it's home in the '96 Grand Am and now on the ground, ready to be put on an engine stand. That is about the tightest fit that I have ever seen, getting that engine out. Pick'n'pull KC had plenty of 3100's, but every engine had more miles on it than mine had (131,600 mi). I think I want to see what exactly my engine damage is before I decide what to do with it. I definitely cannot afford a long block rebuild + core charge (+shipping if applicable). If anyone can give advice about getting the crank turned vs buying a new OEM crank and rebuilding the bottom half (if that indeed is what the problem is), I am open for suggestions.

[bszopi]

What did you look for when you were looking for engines? Just same year 3100s (or 94-99 3100s?)? I would look for a newer engine, as it is almost 100% plug and play, including the 3400s. I swapped a 3400 into my 94 Beretta in a weekend and have driven it unmodified for almost 3 years now. You can get low mileage 3400s for fairly cheap. When I did the swap, I was living in Wamego, KS (yeah, I'm actually a K-State graduate, you stickin Jayhawk.. :P) and I picked up a 2-yr old 3400 with 32k on it for $350. I got it from a junkyard in Marysville (?? I know it was halfway between Wamego and Topeka). So just a few more options maybe.

[rfingon]

I looked for any 3100 in their yard. They were all high mileage engines, regardless of what it was in, and no 3400 whatsoever. I will definitely broaden my horizons though and enclose a bigger radius from Larrytown to see what is in other salvage yards (or people's yards for that matter). I still don't know what happened inside my engine, and am still wondering about the feasibility of reviving it.

I see you cannot deny the ties to KS. Can't hold that 'lil Wildcat thang against ya, even though ya put up a tough fight at Bramledge and OK city. And you may be right, I may be a lil smelly from wrenchin on that car.

[SteveG]

If anyone can give advice about getting the crank turned vs buying a new OEM crank and rebuilding the bottom half (if that indeed is what the problem is), I am open for suggestions.

I went to Napa and bought a crank kit ($245 + old crank). When I went to install it, the number 2 main bearing saddle had been pounded all out of shape. Be sure to check those main bearing saddles before proceeding.

[rfingon]

Thanks for the heads-up SteveG.

[rfingon]

I thought I would update you on my progress. Removing the oil pan did not reveal anything spectacular. Looking from below did not reveal any problem with my engine. Then I pulled off the valve covers and hand-cranked the engine. Only the front rocker arms (on both sides of the engine) were moving--the rear rockers were not. From that I assumed my cam snapped in half.

Earlier this week, I called around to numerous salvage yards for 3100's and 3400's. I found a 3100 with 17K on it for $500+tax. Believe it or not, this is the cheapest that I found, and I picked it up last night. And some of the people I talked to when I was looking for engines were downright rude as to what engine goes into my 96 GA. One dude at Midway Auto Parts II in Liberty MO actually hung up on me when I even suggested that a 3400 would work in my car. Boy that guy really chapped my ass.

All in all, most salvage yards wanted around $700-900 (+/- a core) for 3100's and 3400's, and some had alot of miles on it. I called alot of places. I think the days of cheap 3100's are long gone past.

[bszopi]

When I was looking, if they asked what car, I just mentioned a car with a 3400, never saying what car it was going into. Did you look on www.car-part.com ? Either way, it seems you got a decent deal.

If you ever need other parts, the place I got my engine at was Denton Auto (www.dentoauto.com) in St. Mary's.

[rfingon]

I know it has been awhile since my last post, so here's the update. I finally got the "new" 3100 in and buttoned-up yesterday, and my Grand Am is now purring like a kitten (after I let all that Mystery oil burn out). As a matter of fact, I can't remember when my car ran so nice. I am the second owner of this car from FL, and she had 65K on it when I got her in 2001. SHE LIVES AGAIN!!! No more bumming rides and asking for favors.

BTW Brad, I did look at www.car-part.com, and did not find any screaming deals. When I asked for a quote, I got one back for $895 (the shipping price I cannot recall). So I guess that I did get a great deal after all.