smoking 3.0

[rebel]

im new to this fourum...i see im right at home! love my 91 sho...fast and fun... the problem im havin g is the engine is getting a little tired...has 172k on it now...when im pointed down hill the engine wants to smoke when i get close to red line it wants to smoke...any ideas?? are there any engines avalible for this car???

 

[jayro]

If you check in the for sale section or post in the wanting to buy section you should be able to find a good used engine if you decide that is what you want to do. 172K isnt extremely high milage for these though. My 3.0 had a little over 180K and it still has the cross hatch in the cylinders and runs strong. What kind of smoke is it? Have you done a 60K on the engine? Rod bearings? There could be some fixes for your issue without a new engine. If you r swapping in a new one you might as well go with a 3.2 instead of a 3.0.

 

[rebel]

the smoke is str8 oil....i still drive the car daily...it burns thus a quart every other day...still runs strong and i redline it on a daily basis....im not sure whats been done to the engine...someone told me possibly the bottom set of rings...i considered everything...looked for re build kits ...had very little luck...ive been hunting for a decent used replacement ....but still not much luck...ive seen alot of 3.2 engines? is it possible to mount the 3.2 to a five speed from a 3.0???? thanks!!

 

[jayro]

is it possible to mount the 3.2 to a five speed from a 3.0???? thanks!!

Yes, I am in the process of swapping a 3.2 into mine. The only difference in the displacement is the bore. Basically you just take the 3.2 rotating assembly
(block, crank, rods/pistons) and swap all the 3.0 stuff to it. If you do a search on here you will find tons of info about it....pretty common.

Have you tried switching to high milage oil? There is also AutoRX that can recondition seals ect to help with smoking. I have also heard of people running a quart of ATF fluid in there gas, though I have never done it. If you dont know the maintenance history of the engine I would suggest a full 60k if you keep it.

 

[jayro]

Also, Area91 is in your area. Shoot him a PM or post in the contacting members forum. Never delt with him personally, but have always heard good things about him and his shop.

 

[zach44102]

172K isnt extremely high milage for these though./QUOTE]

Are you kidding me!?!?!?! 172? now that any v6 sho is at least 16 years old thats not rare to have 172k. Maintence is key. I have 191k on my turd and i beat the snot out of it every day since i had to start using it as a dd. Kevinspann had 294k iirc and his still run great and up untill a week ago was on the original rod bearings. These engines will run forever if you keep up on your maintenece.

Also run a quart of ATF in your oil. ATF has extra detergents and softners to soften up front and main seals and cam seals and valve seals which seem to be your problem. I run a quart of atf in my oil 800 miles before a oil change.

 

[AREA 91]

Also, Area91 is in your area. Shoot him a PM or post in the contacting members forum. Never delt with him personally, but have always heard good things about him and his shop.

You have options.
It depends on how much you are willing to spend.
Keep what you have going.
Swap in a rebuilt engine.
Go all out and 3.2 it.

Drop the car off with your check book. I'll take car of you.

 

[jayro]

172K isnt extremely high milage for these though./QUOTE]

Are you kidding me!?!?!?! 172? now that any v6 sho is at least 16 years old thats not rare to have 172K.

That is why I stated that 172k ISNT extremely high mileage. I have 180K on my 3.0 and it runs like a top and there are alot of people over that mark. Yes, these engines are very durable. I agree with you that maitinance is the key, that is why I recommended a full 60k and rod bearings if he decided to stay with the 3.0. Did you miss read my post, or did I misunderstand yours?

 

[rebel]

Where are u in pa??? I'm just north of Pittsburgh. ..I would like to have someone look at this car someone who knows the Sho.....the car runs great!! Just a smoke issue..

 

[rebel]

I wouldn't mains a Rebuild. ... I'm running synthetic oil...seems to burn less..but still goes thru 3 quarts a week....seems to b worse when going downhill...

 

[jayro]

but still goes thru 3 quarts a week...

Are you sure that it is all being burnt and not leaking out somewhere? Front or rear main? Cam seals? Oil Pan ect? That seems like alot to loose. Even if it doesnt leave spots on the ground, it could be leaking onto the exhaust and then burning off. Either way it needs a little help.

 

[rebel]

Most definitely being burnt....comes directly out of the tailpipes

 

[rebel]

Ya str8 out the pipes...

 

[rebel]

Where in pa??? About how much we talking for a rebuilt engine....seems like there hard to find and no 1 wants to touch this engine

 

[jayro]

You could try some AutoRx and see how that works for you. I would also try some high mileage oil ( I like Castrol GTX) or try the ATF thing. If that doesnt help it then I would say you are looking at some more involved work. Good luck.

 

[Biggs]

Valve stems are bad,thats what everone here says,mine burns oil the same way