Engine

[soreny]

Hey,
I have a 1992 Chevy Lumina Z34 with a 3.4L V6 DOHC. Last spring i blew a rod bearing. Now the mechanics i took it to said that i needed to get a used engine. Now the questions- Do i really need a used engine or is the rod bearing replacible? I was told it would be better to get a 3800 engine instead of another DOHC engine, cause i guess the dohc's prone to problems. Will that fit on the motor mounts or will i have to get new mounts? I have a 5-speed on the floor, will that match up with the 3800? I love this car, and i really want to drive it again, so any of these ??'s you can anwser i would appreciate. I dont know alot about this stuff, but i am currently in college in the auto tech program.

Thanks again,
Ryan Soren

[Manny_boy]

Check out this side for the L67 swap: http://www.l67swap.com/

Spun a bearning huh? It can be fixed, but you will have to basically dismantle the engine.

The 3.4 is no more problematic than the other 60Degree V6 engines, its just that you cannot ignore the regular maintenence (and by regular, I mean be almost anal about it), or it will bite you in the arse. The only difference between the 3.4 and the 3.1 is the top half, the bottom is practically the same. Don't buy into the myth that the 3.4 is harder to take care of, I love mine. IMHO its easier to work on the top end of a 3.4.

People who have major problems with the 3.4 have usually ignored the required maintenence, like most cars.

The only person I know of who has a 3.4 with a destroyed bearing is because like you he has a 5 speed and he was winding it out at 7000 rpm for just a little too long (high volume oil pump sucked the pan dry).

If you do swap to the 3800 get the L67 (3800 II supercharged) instead of the L36 (3800 N/A) - the L67 is a BEAST. (I should know, I've had my doors blown off by enough of them )