92 3.8L wont turn over

[01EB5.0]

Originally Posted by KimMG

Have you tried removing the starter, then turning the motor over by hand. If the rings have seized, be careful about the amout of force you are using. Broken rings means replacing or rebuilding the motor. Another thing to check, remove valve covers and look to make sure that a valve didn't drop into one of the cylinders (that can cause a motor to lock up). Do you know if there were any problems on how the car was running before it was parked?

I was told they drove the car until the day it was parked. They "don;t know why the engine would be stuck". the previous owner can;t tell me why the starter was missing. I appriciate the suggestions but I don;t know if I am ready to tear apart the engine I don;t have a garage to work in and don;t have the proper tools to tear up the engine.....I just wish I could make it turn.

[01EB5.0]

Originally Posted by maspoon

also I had a car that wouldnt turn over before some situation as you the repair manual said something about the starter pinion gear being stuck on the flywheel and said to put the car in gear and try to rock the car. im not responsible if you do this and damage the tranny though. I dont know if it would but im just saying if it does..

also was there any shims or anything on the old starter that you might have forgot to put back on?

if all the advice that everybody has given does not solve your problem then it sounds to me like the engine is locked.
let us know what you find out

DOes anyone know if this works with an automatic trans? I was under the impression only a manual trans would work for this type of thing...

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by 01EB5.0

DOes anyone know if this works with an automatic trans? I was under the impression only a manual trans would work for this type of thing...

How far are you willing to drive? I have a 1993 3.8L that runs good. The tranny went in it so I am looking to junk it. I believe the head gaskets were replaced recently, but I cannot remember how long ago. It has 202,000 miles. If you think the tranny is still good I might buy it off you. If you want this engine, I'll sell it to you for next to nothing. It drives, but the tranny makes a KLUNK! at random and makes the car nearly undriveable. It's almost as if someone just slammed on the brakes. You can only go about 35mph or else it does it real bad. I live 45 minutes from the Michigan border in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

I would like to replace the transmission, but I am afraid that I am going to put in something that will fail again in a couple months. Is there a better transmission I can drop in this piece?

Pete

[bdog_840]

don't be surpised that after market parts can be defective, i've ran into that many times.

[01EB5.0]

Originally Posted by Psychopete

How far are you willing to drive? I have a 1993 3.8L that runs good. The tranny went in it so I am looking to junk it. I believe the head gaskets were replaced recently, but I cannot remember how long ago. It has 202,000 miles. If you think the tranny is still good I might buy it off you. If you want this engine, I'll sell it to you for next to nothing. It drives, but the tranny makes a KLUNK! at random and makes the car nearly undriveable. It's almost as if someone just slammed on the brakes. You can only go about 35mph or else it does it real bad. I live 45 minutes from the Michigan border in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

I would like to replace the transmission, but I am afraid that I am going to put in something that will fail again in a couple months. Is there a better transmission I can drop in this piece?

Pete

Pete,
Would you be interested in just buying the entire car from me? i can;t tell you if th etrans works or not since i never have even got the engine to work, but the previous owner said he never had trans trouble. The trans pan has some oil residue on it and has a small dent on the front, but it's not cracked or anything and the previous owner said it drove to it's resting place where i picked it up from. I would love to put an engine in this car, but i don;t have the proper tools or garage to do it. i live in an apartment complex so anything beyond an oil change or new spark plugs is too much for me. i have a clean indiana title in hand since the previous owner was from indianapolis area.