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**edge24_99** · 11-03-2002, 05:25 PM

Your in for a treat but it really isnt that bad. I had no mechanical know-how before I started....

If you have access to a lift I promise it will be so much easier. GM service recommended I do it on a lift but I ddint have access. I pulled it from the top. NO CUTTING was needed. I had to pull the manifolds and the motor mounts off before I get get mine to clear the steering shaft.

Keep your stuff organized. I have had alot of greif because as I took it off I threw it in a box. It is taking forever to figure out waht bolts go were. Go into it prepared ofr extra work. I had a bent crank that needed to be turned I didnt know about. I didnt do any performance mods to it either. Just a rebuild. I helped Pgriffith with his heads and it is pretty easy if you have the motor out on a stand you can work on. I am sure he will say the same. Order all he gaskets before you start. You will need new head bolts also. I dont know were to point you for the cheapest because I get cost at the dealer or commercial at checker. FelPro gaskets fit in most places exept the upper intake I have been told. I would order everything from GM if I had to do it again. Take your time and prep. I just dove into it. Get a case of intake cleaner and keep everything clean. Also pick up a FEW cans of gasket remover and a box of razors. Prepping the gasket surface was a PITA on mine. I dont know if they all are or not. Email me if you have any other questions. I am just finshing up so it is fresh in my mind. Or you can try to catch me in the chat room...peace and good luck

**maxxresist** · 11-03-2002, 09:08 PM

I just put a new 3.8 in the ex wifes 96, wasnt a fun swap going through the top, but wasnt as drastic as cutting the car up. definately one of the harder swaps Ive done. If I were to do it again id go through the bottom.

I work full time and only got to put in a few hours at a time, but its almost finished (putting in oil and tranny fluid and starting it tonight) I started last Friday night.

If I wasnt such a booze hound and take so many breaks id have finished in probably 2 hard working days.

***********Shameless Plug*************

Got the new motor from King Auto which is a greenleaf company, owned by Ford. 55,000 miles on it, fully assembled from plenum and exhaust manifolds to oil pan, for $761 with a lifetime warrenty and they cover replacement labor up to $40 an hour.

Hopefully everything goes good and she fires right up tonight!!!

**SLOWBRAEATER** · 11-04-2002, 02:17 PM

When me and my friend pulled mine we took the tranny out first just use a floorjack my friend used his chest, guess he wanted to feel like a man :rolleyes: [img]smile.gif[/img] I took the motor out from the top with a cherry picker just get a few buddies to help you it is a pain in the rear but it is a nice experience when you do it yourself. It took about 10-12 hours because it takes a good amount of timje to remove all the sensors and mark them, MAKE SURE YOU MARK YOUR SENSORS AND OTHER PLUGS sorry about caps but i cant emphasize that enough, it makes the job so much easier trust me. All in all ita a good learning experience but a huge pain in the rear, good luck

**whtefbrd96** · 11-04-2002, 08:03 PM

Thanks i am glad to hear that you guys have done it. I was just wondering if the motor would fit through the top ?? may sound dumb but some of the sh!t that GM designs ..... that wouldnt have suprised me. Well i guess it's off to the phone and call apple motors and get them to quote me for machining and ****. And about raising the compresion a litle...... what soundslike a good ration 10:1 9.8:1 ( what is it now?? ) thanks again for everyones responces!

MAX let me know how she runs later.

[ November 04, 2002: Message edited by: whtefbrd96 ]</p>

**Guardsman** · 11-05-2002, 03:28 AM

I haven't pulled mine (yet), but I'm planning on doing basically the same thing as you.
One thing to consider, if you have enough money, is to pick up another 3.8, at least from the heads down, and rebuild that first. That's what I'm planning on doing, to minimize down time.
I wouldn't plan on bumping the compression too much, because you start getting into serious clearance issues, not to mention detonation issues. I'm looking at going to between 9.6 to 9.8:1.
For performance improvements besides the cam, I'd say to get the heads worked, just clean them up, i.e., three angle job, get rid of sharp edges in the combustion chamber, etc. I wouldn't advise getting the ports hogged out if you plan on streeting it, that's best for track use.
Put on new valvetrain components, i.e., valves, springs, pushrods, etc., just to save yourself trouble down the road. You won't need racing stuff, but if you can get ahold of heavy duty components (L67 or GM high performance) for a decent price, go with that.
For the bottom end, again, if you have the money, get yourself the L67 crank and rods, and if you do, you'll have to get custom made pistons, and you can play with the compression there.
Also clean up the TB and intake manifolds, again, sharp edges, protrusions, etc., but no major hogging.
For pulling the motor, if you do it through the top, pull the heads first (if you can get the cherry picker hooked up without them), it'll make it much easier. Pull the tranny first.
As to rebuilding the tranny, the guy that is going to do mine said he could rebuild it for $1100, that includes corvette solenoids, fix kits for all the problems, and better than stock clutches and band.
Hope this all helps.

**maxxresist** · 11-05-2002, 12:34 PM

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by maxxresist:
I just put a new 3.8 in the ex wifes 96, wasnt a fun swap going through the top, but wasnt as drastic as cutting the car up. definately one of the harder swaps Ive done. If I were to do it again id go through the bottom.

I work full time and only got to put in a few hours at a time, but its almost finished (putting in oil and tranny fluid and starting it tonight) I started last Friday night.

If I wasnt such a booze hound and take so many breaks id have finished in probably 2 hard working days.

***********Shameless Plug*************

Got the new motor from King Auto which is a greenleaf company, owned by Ford. 55,000 miles on it, fully assembled from plenum and exhaust manifolds to oil pan, for $761 with a lifetime warrenty and they cover replacement labor up to $40 an hour.

Hopefully everything goes good and she fires right up tonight!!!<hr></blockquote>

Fired her up, and she chugged and smoked like a train, then I realised the new engine had been sitting on a shelf on its side, cleared up after a little bit, but still had a flashing SES light. I was hoping the plugs and wires from the motor I bought were fine, guess I smooshed em putting it in or something, o well, put the new ones in and shes running like a champ, got 3 small issues to correct this week though:
1. Some Jackass decided to come in my shop one night, saw the charger hooked to the battery and turned the timer on not realising it was on 12v high and left it on, Nuked Battery

2:Broke one of the ABS plugs on the master putting the motor in.

3:Tranny has a small leak somewhere, I put the tranny dipstick tube in after the swap (real pain in the butt, I think I may have cut the seal at the tranny, but I was to lazy to lift the car back up at the time and I couldnt see anything looking underneath, this cars low, Im used to my Toyota 4x4, I can duck under it without putting it on a lift or jacking it up
;)

I havent gone through the old motor yet, it had a blown headgasket, possably a crack in one of the heads (I dont trust the machine shop I took it to so im not certain) if anyone needs some stock parts or possably a cheap engine to stick on a stand and rebuild, its got everything from plenum to pan, all there 68,000 miles

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