what is the average life on just these motors,like miles? Ive heard stories about there cranks being messed up. Anyone care to inform me please

 

If you take care of your motor and don't do anything too fun too often these motors can go for 200,000+ miles.

 

I have 90k on mine now, but ive heard of the off size crank journal making these engines throw rods, but i keep up on the oil changes so that helps.

 

Keep taking care of any engine and not abuse it will give a long life. No problems at all. You just have to maintain it, that is what is lacking with all the leasing of cars these days.

 

Not as many if you beat up on it but whats the fun of owning a car and not breaking the tires loose every now and then. I beat the living $hit out of my car and its still running

 

I had over 100.000 on mine when the crank bearing "foze" I bought the car used so it is difficult to say how hard it was ran previously.

 

The factory oiling system on these engines is bad; sorry to disappoint current owners out there.

I don't know all of the specifics, just that prior to 1987 GM changed the oiling clearances nearly every year starting from 1980. I have sold a ton of engines and crank kits for these engines when I worked at the parts store. The 87 and up 60* V6 engines seem to last forever. 200,000 with poor maintenance is not uncommon.
I have for years recommended anyone who has one of the 1980-1986 (82-86 for our third gens) 2.8 engines to go to the wrecking yard and get an 87 or newer engine when it is time for a rebuild. I don't doubt that with perfect maintenance you can stretch the life of the older engine but if you're going to rebuild one you should start with the best core possible.

The 87 and up engines offer better block and crank castings, better cylinder head castings with better ports and valves, and better stock camshaft profiles. I had amazing results helping a friend put in my used 248,000 mile 3.1 from my 90 firebird into a 1985 S-10 that had a carbed 2.8 with just over 100k. All of the old carburetor stuff goes right on and everything bolted up well.

Just some advice and info for you guys who haven't been there yet...

 

So my 84 2.8 stuff will bolt to a 3.1 block?

 

For the most part, yes.

If you get a 3.1 from a 90-92 f-car you would leave the heads on it and leave the timing cover and oil pan on it. I believe that the timing cover is different and you have a matching different oil pan to go with it. Make sure to keep your 3.1 balancer and flywheel as well.

If you rebuild it, great, but re-use your 3.1 timing cover and oil pan. You can put your carburetor and intake with big HEI distributor back on the 3.1. You can also remount your accessories to the front without major problems.

Oh, and get an 87 or newer tranny as well while you are at it. The 84 and older transmissions are weaker as well. You'll need the matching torque converter, too, because the newer ones are 31 spline and the older ones are 27.

 

the 85+ blocks wont have the mechanical fuel pump boss. need to get an afteremarket electric fp & fpr

 

You can run a cheap one from NAPA or advance auto parts that they sell for carbureted cars that gives a max 7 psi.

Sometimes it's round, sometimes it's square and thumps, either way if you buy one of these then you won't need a regulator.

They run from 30-50 bucks most of the time.

 

Thanks, im going to keep this in mind when the motor dies, will the 3.1 headers match as well? If i do this i want a complete used motor with everything on it yet so that the swap will be somewhat simpler.

 

yep