Spun Rod bearing 3.8

[ctesla]

Jeff,

maxwedge is on the money..

pull that engine for later, and just find one running to swap in..
trying to piecemeal yours back will as you say,
"..bite me in the backside a year or two down the road.."
and it won't take a year; with tighter tolerances you could put together and
within a week or a month an oil pump suck some leftover debri, or a weak ring
crack after your summer trip at highway speed; and everyone is camping on the side
of highway 11 or 63: not cool, well, except at night; really cool/cold, because with a tanked motor, you can't even run the heater..

jokes aside, finding a serviceable engine to swap will be least expensive as DIY cost
stand point..
--- and even if you go rebuild now, a cam kit is an extra 88-130 usd, so if teardown becomes the option; do not cheap out, a whole engine rebuild kit gets you another 150/160/220+K of miles of non-service..

and, if you are still thinking of servicing send me an address, and i'll mail you an alldata dvd for it..

[Jeffrv]

Thank you all for your input, that is what I was hoping to find when I posted this thread.
I have been beating the bushes hard to come up with a new to me engine. So far absolutely nothing seems to exist here in Canada, nobody seems to keep them. I have located a couple in the US, but neither will answer if they will infact ship to Canada, just keep repeating they offer free shipping anywhere in the US, and have to buy today as their offer is valid only for one day.
If it seems unlikely that, once the old engine is out and dismantled, that there isn't a good chance to be successful in flushing all the debris out, then it doesn't make much sense to proceed with a rebuild of the existing engine. Last thing I need is a loud ' I told you so' from the better half...

[ctesla]

now see, the 'i told you so' would then become a challenge;
"..don't tell me what i can't do.."
but honestly, since it is spare, you have time; AND- you'll need to yank, regardless of rebuild or swap out..
as to finding one: LKQ online is a recycler in america; and lo and behold, haha, the first one on the list is 120mi. from me in denver--
https://www.lkqonline.com/1995-ponti...ly/-h3P3DjcnnP

i do believe they offer shipping to the north..
and, at only 500-700 for the whole assembly, you could buy two for cost of rebuild..
then you'd be covered for another 20yrs; or until a kid fell through the rotted out floor pan..

[Jeffrv]

Thank you for the reply ctesla, I appreciate you looking out here. I have been dealing with another seller, which I think is listing those exact engines in OR and CO, but they will not confirm if they will ship to Canada.( They also want more, but offer free shipping anywhere in US) Sadly the site you sent specifically states they will not ship anywhere but the lower 48, mentioning they will not ship to Canada, Mexico or Europe.
Will still keep looking
Jeff

[ctesla]

if LKQ does not ship to canada;
first- might email them and see if they do not ship residential, if they ship commercial?
i had them ship an audi trans. once to puerto rico, but i could not 'receive' it down there for the customer.. i had to have it shipped to a shop there and pay the freight..
two- if that is not option, could get it shipped to shop in buffalo.. then go pick up; i know, its couple hundred miles each way, but still, if you cannot find up there, might be an option..
3- find a complete other Pontiac (i have 2 S10s and 3 Fieros specifically for spares out here in the outback, while i find replacements) and have a transport company deliver; or fly down and drive it back.. i know that sounds extreme, but if you are attached, then it might be worth..
one in dayton, ohio:
https://www.jdpower.com/detail/1994/...du06l7rt222386
HOWEVER- the newer TransSports are similar priced, less miles, and easier to find..
97-99 are found down here with 77-180k for $1000-1500 fully running:
https://www.iseecars.com/used_cars-t...d=100493059923

i do not know up there, where the magical date/year was that everything starts becoming obsolete, but when i rebuilt a 196" Allis-Chalmers/AMC 6cyl. engine for a '63 Nash Rambler, i could've built 3 small block chevy engines..

the last option, might be to find a Buick/Olds/Pontiac from pre-94/95 with your 3.8, and buy the whole car; knowing it is in the drive for a swap and rebuild??

[Jeffrv]

So far nothing seems available here in Canada, getting negative replies from my inquiries. ( including remarks second person to request same part-not sure if that was a dig). At least it is getting out there.
I have emailed a freight forwarder in Buffalo who has a terminal in Toronto to see if they could bring the engine there and I pick it up, no reply yet. It may all be moot as it is rumoured the government will be issuing a stay a home order later this week for at least 4 weeks or until covid cases subside significantly. As it stands now, I don't believe even travel to Buffalo to pick it up without having to endure a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon reentry into Canada.
Strange times we are living in. Can get the engine across country, but the final 300 or so miles seemingly insurmountable. It is looking more and more like I might be redoing the original engine after all

[ctesla]

nothing like an earthly endemic to keep an Indian from running..
i wonder if you should just find any GM powerplant that'll bolt to
your transmission; and go carbed.. no ECM needed; except you'd
still have to power your gauges..

[ctesla]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/29396806306...w_wcB#shpCntId

wow.. even ebay only gets it to the border...

[ctesla]

maybe fly into newark; and drive home before re-shutdown?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...52e-5%7D%22%7D

[Stealthee]

The problem lies in there is added difficulty in international shipping. International freight is even worse. Then you have the added ability for scammers to scam when things go internationally making sellers very cautious and as you've seen even flat out refuse to ship internationally.

[ctesla]

ok.. forget international wall hopping.. how about a drive:

https://www.theparking-cars.com/used.../3KWYK761.html

OR:

https://www.theparking-cars.com/used.../EELEY8WB.html

is that close enough for you??

[Jeffrv]

Ctesla:
Thanks for pointing out that site, was unaware of it.
I am aware of the first one, been sitting out in a field for 10 years..and its a 3.1
Not sure about second one
Jeff

[ctesla]

VIN D - 3.1 LG6,
VIN L - 3.8 L27
i think the 94/95s had greater chance of the 3800.
the 3.1 does use different intakes and heads..

[Stealthee]

The 3.1 and 3.8 are totally different engines. The 3.1 is based off the 2.8.

[ctesla]

yup. 3.1 and 3.4 will swap all day into 2.8 60deg. engine bay with same ECU/ECM and no re-wire.. (naturally have to keep whatever vehicle's upper manifold/TBI/FI set-up, but bolt swap is quick).. 3800 is a different buick/beast..