PROJECT: 1996 Buick Regal 3100

[RYS]

My girlfriends sister had a 1996 Buick Regal sedan with 140k on it. She bought a new car and was trying to sell it. Someone comes and looks and it is leaking coolant. Not interested. So she was going to junk it. I threw her a few bucks for it and now it's mine. I determined that the lower intake gaskets were failed, what a surprise! This particular car has the 3100 V6 engine that is notorious for this problem. The outside color is a dark red and so is the cloth interior. There is some rust on the lower rocker panels but they are not completely gone. The tires were shot. I had a 1997 Oldsmobile 88 with like-new tires and alloy wheels. The motor had some serious issues and the body was damaged. This Regal had bald tires with belts showing on steel wheels and no hubcaps. So I swapped the wheels, sold the 88 to a junk man and bought the Regal.

 

Now I will bring it back to life and get it ready for any potential buyers.

 

Here are some before shots of the engine bay before I started the work.

 

 

 

I am going to clean each piece I remove from the engine before I replace it and the engine bay itself.

 

Upper intake and valve covers removed.

 

 

Leaky gaskets. Coolant was actually pouring out of the other side.

 

 

Lower intake removed.

 

 

Just as I suspected, the gaskets are shot!

 

 

This intake reseal job is now complete. I also took the time to replace the air filter, plugs (AC Delco), wires, serpentine belt, PCV valve, valve cover gaskets, thermostat, put in fresh coolant and changed the oil.

 

I spent a few hours buffing the paint bringing some of the shine back. The paint is original and is loaded with scratches. There are a few interior pieces that need replacing. It needs screws for the window switches, the passenger side vent surround and a hood release cable. The interior also needs detailing which will be done soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Window switches need securing and it's missing the vent trim on the passenger side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would like to add that not only did I do the intake gasket and add the wheels/tires I did the following:

 

- Upper and Lower intake gaskets

- Valve cover gaskets

- Air Filter

- PCV Valve

- Serpentine belt

- AC Delco spark plugs

- Wireset

- Thermostat

- Coolant

- Oil and filter

 

Thanks for checking it out!

[slick]

Clean looking car! I bet you can get some decent cash out of it!

[tornado_735]

Looks like she's ready for another 141K miles

[RYS]

Thanks guys I have it listed for 1500 obo. I already have someone on it. A young girl who needs a first car. This should be perfect for her. Her dad approves. Just waiting to see if she really buys it.

[Bigrome59]

Just bought a car just like it nut there is a conector that I kan find where it goes its orange and black and is komeing from the driver side by the window and by the brake fluid

 

 

 

 

Thanks guys I have it listed for 1500 obo. I already have someone on it. A young girl who needs a first car. This should be perfect for her. Her dad approves. Just waiting to see if she really buys it.

[rich_e777]

Just bought a car just like it nut there is a conector that I kan find where it goes its orange and black and is komeing from the driver side by the window and by the brake fluid

Good God does alcohol not go well with a keyboard:think:

[Imp558]

2 Pin plug with orange and black wire is the underhood lamp Homie. That Regal has 10,000 miles on mine and is a ton cleaner, lol. I Love my 96 Regal though.

[jman093]

Why have the horns been relocated in front of the radiator?

[Psych0matt]

Also I'm sure by now this car is sold, since it's from 3 years ago