Rebuilding a 3.0

[PastaPirate13]

It appears that finding a replacement engine is gonna be more difficult than anticipated, so I'll be rebuilding this one. I'm still having some issues getting this stand to fit, and it looks like I'll have to pull this whole thing off. I suppose it'll be coming off anyway.


Since I've gone to all this trouble of pulling the engine out, it won't be going back in stock. I haven't found a whole lot on a complete teardown and rebuild of one of these, and I'd like to get as much as I can out of this while keeping it all motor and reasonable for a weekend cruise/show or whatever. I'd like to have it bored out to 3.2L and maybe some headwork if it's worth it. I'd be more than happy to see anywhere from 240-260hp.

I need to get some kind of plan together first or else this thing is just gonna sit in my garage way longer than it needs to. First and foremost I'd like to replace everything that can be replaced on it, as full a rebuild as I can do before anything else. I have the factory service manual and the electrical/vacuum troubleshooting manual on its way. That being said, I'm going into this pretty blind. I've done plenty of minor mechanic work here and there but never anything this complicated. This will be a fun learning experience and any help the master techs and SHO veterans here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and I look forward to this fun, though sometimes slow ride I've chosen to embark on.

 

[luigisho]

THis will be an awesome learning project. Your goals are realistic as is your outlook on projects sitting. I thought there were a few projects covered over the years that sort of cobbled together enough info to get a good sense of it. I can't believe you couldn't find a good 3.2 short block to work with. It's been so long since I was in the market for one.. I should not be surprised.

I only ever did a refresh on a 3.2 swap so I am curious to follow along. Some of the guys with larger stables should have good info. A few have done some of this or (even smarter) bought one that became available.

 

[Toolman]

Are planning on stock 3.2 pistons or high compression?

 

[rubydist]

Are there sources for head gaskets, rod and main bearings now?

 

[Irish Pride]

Depending on the year of that engine you might be causing more problems down the road if you bore it out. The early engines had less material to work with. If boring it out is definitely your plan then you really need to consider going to a 3.3 with high compression pistons in order to get close to your goal. If you are wanting to do a complete teardown then you better start looking for main bearings and 3.2 headgaskets. Both of which are extremely hard to find. If the mains in that engine look good then I would just reuse them. No harm in that.

A lot of "Ifs" to think about.

-Chad

 

[Irish Pride]

Are there sources for head gaskets, rod and main bearings now?

Rod bearings can still be had although the prices have gone up in the last couple of years.

-Chad

 

[zoomlater]

Shosource still show cometic 3.2 head gaskets
I would think finding a good 3.2 engine would be easier to source than all the parts to do a complete rebuild

 

[PastaPirate13]

Are planning on stock 3.2 pistons or high compression

Are planning on stock 3.2 pistons or high compression?

Originally I was just planning on putting stock 3.2 pistons in it, but in the interest of power how much higher could I go while still being able to run 93?

 

[PastaPirate13]

Are there sources for head gaskets, rod and main bearings now?

I know shosource has quite a lot of engine rebuild stuff.

 

[PastaPirate13]

Rod bearings can still be had although the prices have gone up in the last couple of years.

-Chad

I've got a set of rod bearings that I got from rock auto of all places.

 

[PastaPirate13]

Shosource still show cometic 3.2 head gaskets
I would think finding a good 3.2 engine would be easier to source than all the parts to do a complete rebuild

I've kept my eyes open on the marketplace, craigslist and other places for SHOs or SHO parts but most of them end up being pretty far away. That being said I haven't really been to many scrapyards around here so there may be one or two floating around somewhere. I'll have to get out there sometime this next week while I'm off work and have plenty of time to search.

 

[luigisho]

I've kept my eyes open on the marketplace, craigslist and other places for SHOs or SHO parts but most of them end up being pretty far away. That being said I haven't really been to many scrapyards around here so there may be one or two floating around somewhere. I'll have to get out there sometime this next week while I'm off work and have plenty of time to search.

Yeah. I usually had to drive a distance or pay for shipping to get one in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Toolman]

I've kept my eyes open on the marketplace, craigslist and other places for SHOs or SHO parts but most of them end up being pretty far away. That being said I haven't really been to many scrapyards around here so there may be one or two floating around somewhere. I'll have to get out there sometime this next week while I'm off work and have plenty of time to search.

Where you at?

 

[PastaPirate13]

Where you at?

East TN