99 Park Ave. coolant in No.1 cyl

[Waynezo]

Good evening new friends.
Here's a long story that I'll try to shorten so I don't time out. That happens a lot.
99 Park Ave. 3800 Series II, 91K. Drove it 30 miles and parked it for 3 hr. Started to crank about 1-2 turn then locked up. Discovered starter tail shaft housing broken off and laying in bell housing later on. Replacement starter wouldn't turn it over.
1-2" drive ratchet on harmonic balancer bolt allowed 1-4 to 1-2 turn then solid lock-up.
Pulled the front side plugs and No. 1 had about a pint (guess) of coolant in it so I know it was hydrolocked. I don't think it was running with this condition because I didn't notice any smoke cloud.
I pulled the throttle body to check the EGR tube area of the upper plemun and it looks fine. HOWEVER, I'm reading about these plenums warping. I hope that's the problem. I just did my 97 Olds plenum and now feel qualified.
BUT, what I've been reading also leads me in the direction of a head gasket. I know it could be an intake gasket also.
Question..How the hell do you get at the rear plugs on this engine? The older ones had a dog bone linkage that allowed the engine to rock forward. I don't see anything similar here and there's a crossmember that prohibits easy access from underneath. Any help here?
I know I need to do a compression check and will when I get the plugs out, but if it holds pressure in the cylinders would I be safe in assuming it's the intake gasket? Here's hoping it's either the plenum or the lower intake. Naturally, I need to get it back on the road quickly, I work 35 miles from home one way and the Mrs.35 miles the other direction, one of us might need to start walking to work and I'm thinkin she won't like that much. Maybe she'd like a new pair of sneakers.
All replies are appreciated. Thanks, Waynezo

Here's a good quote to live by.
"Live your life in such a way that the preacher won't have to lie at your funeral"

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by Waynezo

Good evening new friends.
Here's a long story that I'll try to shorten so I don't time out. That happens a lot.
99 Park Ave. 3800 Series II, 91K. Drove it 30 miles and parked it for 3 hr. Started to crank about 1-2 turn then locked up. Discovered starter tail shaft housing broken off and laying in bell housing later on. Replacement starter wouldn't turn it over.
1-2" drive ratchet on harmonic balancer bolt allowed 1-4 to 1-2 turn then solid lock-up.
Pulled the front side plugs and No. 1 had about a pint (guess) of coolant in it so I know it was hydrolocked. I don't think it was running with this condition because I didn't notice any smoke cloud.
I pulled the throttle body to check the EGR tube area of the upper plemun and it looks fine. HOWEVER, I'm reading about these plenums warping. I hope that's the problem. I just did my 97 Olds plenum and now feel qualified.
BUT, what I've been reading also leads me in the direction of a head gasket. I know it could be an intake gasket also.
Question..How the hell do you get at the rear plugs on this engine? The older ones had a dog bone linkage that allowed the engine to rock forward. I don't see anything similar here and there's a crossmember that prohibits easy access from underneath. Any help here?
I know I need to do a compression check and will when I get the plugs out, but if it holds pressure in the cylinders would I be safe in assuming it's the intake gasket? Here's hoping it's either the plenum or the lower intake. Naturally, I need to get it back on the road quickly, I work 35 miles from home one way and the Mrs.35 miles the other direction, one of us might need to start walking to work and I'm thinkin she won't like that much. Maybe she'd like a new pair of sneakers.
All replies are appreciated. Thanks, Waynezo

Here's a good quote to live by.
"Live your life in such a way that the preacher won't have to lie at your funeral"

I'd pull the upper plenum off and look at the egr tube where it joins the lim first, the rear plugs are a get behind it deal, just tight. Although you may want to pressure test the cooling system first and see if coolant comes out of a cylinder before any disassembly, that would usually indicate a hd gskt, but intake issues are way more common.

[Waynezo]

Thanks Maxwedge. I pulled the throttle body and checked in the tube area. I replaced the plenum on my 97 Olds awhile ago so I know of this. I didn't see any "bad spots" in the tube area, but there is coolant in the plenum. Best guess?
I probably need to replace the plenum anyway, I don't want to have to do it again later. Thanks. Waynezo