Back to the hell from whence you came! On the bright side these engines came equipped with a lot of aluminum so i can figure scrap on this engine x2. Only a minor setback.

 

i can get u all the parts for around 250 bucks without the cam

yank the oil pimp,the heads clean the shotblock with degreaseer and a hose , then spray down with wd40 , and push a pistion and rod out of the block and check the crank

 

Don't know man - all the stuff was rusted up bad the camshaft included. I think it's definitely possible to fix it with the right amount of money but right now I think I'm better off with a different engine. Do you know if the 3.4 heads are better than the 3.1?

 

u will be surprised how much of the rust will just wipe off
2.8/3.1/3.4 fuel injected heads are all the same . if u do scrap the engine keep the heads , then u have a spare set of heads u can port urself and not worry about screwing them up

even if the crank and that is bad u still have a good useable 3.4 block , i can get pistons for that engine for 20-30 bucks for a set of 6

 

Been busy with side work but I found time to pick up another engine (looks like it'll be a winner) and finished correcting the electrical problems (it was a never ending mess). Installed an old cd/player in the gaping hole. Luckily the PO left the radio adapter plate inside the car so that was totally free. Also installed the modified T-handle ****. It's way better in a pistol grip config. It got drilled out and installed with an 1/8in roll pin.

 

What is this strange little pipe that comes off the injector rail and connects to the back of the intake below the distributor? The 3.1 injector rails doesn't have this provision but has a plug in the back of the intake where this pipe went. My service manual is for 84 so its not much use.

I have no idea what its purpose is. I can provide pictures if desired.

 

I'm thinking its for a cold start injector.

 

Notice the mismatched injectors on the original 2.8 rail. Also a comparison of the 3.1 rail to the 2.8. The fitting in the middle (which isn't on the 3.1) what is this? If it's cold start can I use the 3.1 rail instead (with the 3.1 intake of course)?

 

Also the intake parts I cleaned up and painted Chevy Orange. Mostly because it's funny. Secondly because my brother won't talk to me anymore because I traded the cutlass for a crappy camaro and he's 'disappointed' in my decision. I think this will drive him over the edge. I want to show him but I need to hold off so he can be surprised when I pop the hood.

 

If you're using a 2.8 ECM and live in a cold climate, I think it would take extra cranking to start. The 3.1 ECM uses the 6 regular injectors to inject extra fuel during cold cranking rather than using a cold start injector.

 

Nice intakes.

 

Quick question before I kick myself - Are automatic cranks and manual cranks interchangeable?

 

Reassembled 3.1 engine. Supposedly low miles but sat for about 5 years so the cylinders were a bit rusty. Honed it out and replaced the rings and gaskets. Lapped the valves into the heads and the guides felt nice and tight. Should be a decent motor.

Yeah, those ***ed plugs..... I looked for a socket to take them out but the hardware store didn't carry any. So I then ground a 1/2in to 3/8 adapter to fit the plug and then rounded it out. Then I got serious and welded some nuts to the plugs - bam - instantly turned out nice and easy. I would suggest doing this first. Any other method is a chore.

Also swapped out that chinsy plastic coolant pipe hook up on the 3.1. The 2.8 had this much nicer pipe styled fitting.


The reason I used the 3.1 intake was cause the 2.8 intake had a bunch of stripped out threads. I also noticed that the morons that worked on the 2.8 had installed the valve covers backwards. I'm pretty satisfied with how this engine has turned out though. I did end up using the exhaust manifolds from the 3.4 engine I had, just had to weld up the 02 sensor holes. Should have a reasonably reliable machine when I'm done - Hopefully I can sell my Honda in a few weeks and replace it with this 8)

 

I hope to have some time this sunday to swap these engines around and finally get this car down the road. Always takes a lot more time than one might expect :P Also correcting the wiring fiasco under the hood continues........ : ( I shorted out the fire-hazard alternator cable against the alternator housing. There is maybe a 1/4 inch of clearance between the two. Guess I'm lucky I didn't try to drive this car around - it probably woulda burned to the ground in no time with all these problems im finding.

 

Mostly complete. One final hurdle fingers crossed.

Broke/Stripped/Crossmember Frame Nuts

Driver Side



Stuff from Passenger Side



Completed Passenger Side



I welded (4) nuts across a 2x6 1/8 steel plate. (2) nuts to for the x-member and (2) nuts to bolt it to the frame. Once bolted inside the frame it made a tight fit and then I welded the plate and the 2 bolts to the frame. So, it's bolted and welded in...Sound good enough? I'll re-do this on the driver side. Took about 3 hours for one side.

 

So the car runs great. Went to have it inspected and registered - the name on the title was different than the PO's name. So he had to apply for a new title which took about a month to get done. Afterwards, I took my new notarized title back to the DMV and automatically failed the inspection for a crack in the windshield. >_< Ignore me, just a senseless rant.

Any tips for cheap windshield replacements? Already tried the insurance company - no dice. Called a glass place and was quoted $250. Considering trying to remove the old windshield myself and see if it's possible to get a used one put in. My job ended a month ago so trying to lessen the blow a bit. More time v. money etc.