Engine replacement

My son's 95 with the 3.1 motor has a blown head gasket. Since the oil is badly contaminated with coolant, our mechanic is more or less refusing to repair the head gasket, saying it's pointless to put $1000+ into a car that will likely throw a rod in the near future. I tend to agree. However, we have to fix this car for reasons not worth going into.

My choices are to either have a remanufactured engine installed for $2500-$3000 or to try and put a junkyard engine in myself. I can get one at the local pick 'n' pull for under $150.

Has anyone removed this motor from a Monte Carlo? How hard is it? I've swapped engines before - in a Triumph Spitfire and a Plymouth Neon and I do have an engine hoist. How does this one compare? I'm thinking it doesn't look too bad with the exception of actually getting the engine/transmission unit out through the top.

Also, when I'm going through the junkyard, what other cars will be a direct bolt in without changing mounts, computers, wiring etc? Can I at least count on Luminas?

Thanks!

That one is easy,same as a Lumina.One out of a Monte Carlo, Grand Am,Lumina,Grand Prix,Century,Regal and Skylark will fit.The ones out of a Grand Am,Skylark,Century,you will have to do some changes.If you get one out a 1996 and up,change the upper plentum,EGR valve and tube.They are differant.A used 3.1 goes for $500-$600 depending on the miles.If you want to make it easier,Get one out of a Monte Carlo, Lumina,Grand Prix or Regal with less changes to do( same body style).

That one is easy,same as a Lumina.One out of a Monte Carlo, Grand Am,Lumina,Grand Prix,Century,Regal and Skylark will fit.The ones out of a Grand Am,Skylark,Century,you will have to do some changes.If you get one out a 1996 and up,change the upper plentum,EGR valve and tube.They are differant.A used 3.1 goes for $500-$600 depending on the miles.If you want to make it easier,Get one out of a Monte Carlo, Lumina,Grand Prix or Regal with less changes to do( same body style).

Thank you for the reply, that was very helpful! I've gotten a Haynes manual and I'm going to try and do this myself. I'll let you know how it goes.

My local junkyard will sell any engine for under $100 if you pull it yourself. That's without "accessories", but I'm willing to pay extra for the manifolds, water pump and stuff like that. It's purely caveat emptor with no way to test it, so the trick is to find a motor that's still good. I had seen a 95 Monte Carlo in there a couple weeks ago that had obviously (and rather nastily) been rolled, so that's probably a good candidate.

Thanks again. I appreciate the great reply!