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89 grand prix se , started with headliht issue a year ago


4 year plan

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!st post , and thanks to the welcoming crew . Dont know how to make a long story short , so I think Ill just make a short story long . No pics out of embarrassment , but Im trying to fix this car so my wife will drive. !st 2.8 I tried working with , and it looks sad. 3 days ago I found a twisty rod , then upon further inspection found several cracks at a few of the headbolt locations , with one migrating into a cylinder . Needless to say I need a block . I guess my options are 2.8 , 3.1 ,, and unsure of 3.4 , 3.8 , etc. According to my plan , It should take about 3 more years before it runs again. now for the dilemna , Is this worth it ? Any chance the heads are usable , havent checked them yet for warp , criticism and sarcasm accepted , too old to fight , but love that omni directional bucket . Wish me luck , Paul

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Out of embarrassment? Trust me, everyone wants to see it no matter what it looks like :lol:

 

As for the engine, sorry to hear about that. 2.8/3.1 is direct swap in, 3100/3400 doesn't need too much as far as I know.

 

But yeah it's probably best just to change out the engine.

 

And of course it's worth it!

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Out of embarrassment? Trust me, everyone wants to see it no matter what it looks like :lol:

 

As for the engine, sorry to hear about that. 2.8/3.1 is direct swap in, 3100/3400 doesn't need too much as far as I know.

 

But yeah it's probably best just to change out the engine.

 

And of course it's worth it!

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence . Since I got engine out now , any idea if subframe bushing replacement job is costly ?

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how bad do they look? certain cars get hit a lot worse than others.

 

if you do end up using your top end on a new block, the 2.8 and 3.1 blocks are more or less identical, IIRC just that the 3.1 block has slightly more clearance for the slightly longer crank throws.

 

3100/3400 will almost drop in.

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About 150k on the car , bottom motor mount looked like jelly , so new bushings would probably be warranted . This could take a while . Engine out , transmission and rack still in . Should transmission , half shafts , and rack be removed ? Will send pics when wife shows me how to use her camera . After checking my heads , hopefully all Ill need is a short block . Might have to rename to 6 year plan

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you checked them? magnaflux? if they got cracks by the head bolts they are scrap. why take the chance when you could probably find a parts car with a 3.1 for a few hundred bucks?

 

I would rebuild the tranny right now with that many miles on the car.

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Still alive , owing some pics , heads are on hold till checked good. Does the subframe have to come out to drop the tranny ? Should be out by next Sundays update , hopefully with pics . Tentavily on jackstands about 2 inches forward of rear bolts , A frame ready to lift body . Could use 2 trained monkeys to drain my transmission before I make a mess . This is going to be interesting , non ac shop in 100 plus weather . Im tryin Boost , thanks

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