Looks like I am going to be rebuilding the V6. I have a couple of questions for those who have done it:
1. Am I better off getting a crank kit or just bearings? The cost difference is #83.10 for the bearings (all of them) and $150 for the entire kit.
2. Same for the camshaft, but I think I'll spring for this since I have already probably worn off a lobe or two with replacement lifters.
3. Would it be worth my while to throw in a set of rings too? The DPO said he rebuilt the engine 10K ago, but I dare say he was lying his head off. I have not done a compression test and probably will when I get my money.
4. Is it absolutely necessary that I buy/use a ridge reamer?
5. Should I get some honing practice on a junkyard engine or some sort before I begin?

I have never done this before but have people who can guide me through it, plus I have a sort of service manual (Haynes) for the job.

 

ebay

item=2457425767

 

Sorry to burst your bubble, Gumby, but between the bid price for that item when it ends and the shipping cost, I could do an entire rebuild to my existing engine, but thx for the input. Would it also be worth my while, as long as I have to pull the crank anyways, to do a 3.1 conversion? I noticed a couple of 2.8 stroker kits on there that will give me a 3.1 in the end.

 

I know what you mean but if your looking to leave all your problems behind you should get the old block properly machined, decked, line honed, bored n stuff if your gonna rebuild it and that is not cheap.

Its hard to be all brand new and ready to go 200,000 miles for a weekends work. Its your cash but once you get close to $200 on doing just a crank, having all new "fresh" machined parts is worth the piece of mind.

you could stil do the 3.1, sell the 2.8 crank for $100 and know you got a whole bran new motor.

You could get a used 3.4 for $500-$600 but myself I like the idea of having brand new parts. I have a V8 car if I need speed. I like the idea of a brand new engine better than a few more cub's

 

Now that has me thinking. I am still not sure as to how much of a difference moneywise it will make, however. In between all of the parts I need for this engine that total $560.22 (without cam set from GMPP), and that short block which at this opening bid of $200 plus $190 shipping, that is $390 alone for the block, pistons+rings, crank+bearings, without a cam set at $110 ($500 now), without a head set at $90 ($590 now, including head bolts), without a balancer (mine's damaged-cracked rubber due to radical climate change from AL to NY) at $80 ($670 now), and without the misc gaskets and the evap can (not really necessary) that is probably more than the machine work total plus parts and I don't have the hard cash. And that don't include 8.25% NYS sales tax.

Yes, I know I need to find a way to get some income flowing...

I'll have to see if I can't get a portion of this from my birthday fund...

 

yes its a hard choice. the same amount of money can buy so much and go in so many directions.

I just really like the idea of brand new and allot less work and time. [Machine shops are always busy.]



but I also know sometimes it just easier to put in new parts and reuse everything. Helped a buddy install 2 new pistons in an old motor once that had many many miles but once back together it ran great. About $100 in parts and a days worth of work.

I really questioned him on that one but only two cylinders were worn out and the rest still worked. Truck ran good after that.

 

You think maybe I could sell off some of the stuff? I don't really want to, though-I'd like to have something to do after I go to auto tech school sometime in the next year...

Also, I've been browsing eBay for quite a while on this subject, and I have noticed someone has been trying to sell a short block for a 2.8 Fiero. Do the two bellhousings have the same bolt pattern? The appear to, according to the pics in the auctions anyways.

 

I also like that, that one on ebay is a real GM crate. If you look in the trading post or other cheap trade paper you can get a crate for the same price but who built it or put it together is a mystery and might not be the same.

 

You should be able to sell the crank. Heck put the crank in your old block and sell it. Not like you gotta give up a core.

 

Naw, I was referring to the old stuff. I know I can sell the stuff from the new block...

 

the fierro block won't work real easily. the starter is on the opposite side on the FWD blocks, including the fierro blocks.

 

I also noticed something about that eBay item last night... the oil filter appears to be pointing straight from the side of the block. That would make it also a Fiero or FWD engine, wouldn't it? The block is supposed to be for an S-10, but they have RWD so I don't get it...

 

you can put the filter adapter off of your 2.8 on the other block to make it point back. one bolt and a new gasket.

 

You're better off finding a good used 3.4 or 3.1. I got my 3.4 for some spare change. more power, quick conversion, cheap. New parts are nice, but if you ain't planning on passing it on to your children..... Heck, if you get a used one, just make sure it has good oil pressure, compression. Change the seals, gaskets, and put it in. Good luck.

 

I ain't planning on passing the car on... It will die with me! And I would rather keep the stock engine for senitmental reasons (I put all that work into it for NOTHING?! I don't think so!) Maybe I can put it in something else or another F-body chassis (got lots of them in the local j/y).

 

After doing two used low milage 3.4 conversions & even putting about 10-15,000 miles on the Firebird 3.4 after swap, there is no question you go to 3.4 power.
Even in Upstate NY you can easily score a used 3.4.
Especailly after winter is over, you should be able to find one in the wrecking yards.
Keep searching.
AND if the engine eventually dies, oh well, stick in a used LS1/LS6!
The crate new 3.4 is going for close to $2,000 these days.
No reason at all to "rebuild" an engine of this size.
No need to worry about an older engine. My 3.4s go just fine.
All that have bought used 3.4s are pleased also.
Save you money & effort for the 3.4 swap package that you will score.
Many others have scored a used 3.4, you should easily be able to also.
Remember I've paid the MOST for my 3.4s.
Most here pay about $500+.
Be patient for the right answer/solution. Wait until the snow melts, one will be available shortly after that! Get friendly with the yards now!
Save your effort for the right solution.

 

Does anyone who has read this thread think it MAY be possible for me to sell the short block? If you don't think it is worth my while to keep the crank for the future, I will not keep it, but I will keep the block unless someone really wants one or needs it. I could probably make it into a running engine after I get out of school, assuming I can get there first .

This is just great, one car out of three actually runs well but is on it's last legs (has metal cancer... it is terminal), one runs but needs a lot of work to keep going (bad oil leak and piston slap or something), and the best yet, the one I myself bought don't do beans....!

And unless the junkyard got rid of it and have not updated their inventory, there is a good 3.4 locally for $350 or less depending on where I go for it. To do the swap, I need to keep the 2.8 intake, brackets/accessories, and motor mounts, correct?