[jbroxton]

Great link for the 3.8 engine! Looks like the block, crank, cam and heads are all interchangable from 1996 to 2000!

The engine was tight before it started knocking, no exhaust smoke, even at cold cranking, so I feel the rings and valve guides are OK. I had thought about changing out rod and crank bearings only, that is if the journals looked OK. I really don't have the time to spend on a complete rebuild!

I think I found what may have caused the problem in the first place........coolant drip @ the timing cover! From post I have read, coolant can get into the oil from the faulty gasket.