questions about Shadows

[john51md]

A 94 Shadow, 3.0 with the funky auto tranny.
Thinking about buying one, its real nice shape, just turned 100k looks sounds excellent.
I just wondering about how good/reliable these engines/trannys are mostly.
weak points of either.
Does the 3.0 have a chain or belt for timing?
Or any other thing you can think of that would help in buying decision, i know nothing about these cars. thanks

[KManiac]

I know a little bit about Shadows, having owned my 1991 ES Turbo Convertible for the last 14 years. But I have never had a Shadow with a 3.0L.

Now I do have experience with a 3.0L with electronic 4-speed automatic in a 1989 Grand Caravan. A weak point on the 3.0L is the valve guide seals. Always got cold start up oil smoke from the 3.0L. But the rest of the engine was good. It was running great at 207,000 miles when we sold it. The 3.0L has a timing belt. This belt drives the two overhead camshafts and the internal water pump. Replacing the water pump and timing belt (always do both together) is a 4 hour job per flat rate manuals. The electronic transmissions are good as long as they have been serviced every 30,000 miles and fed nothing but ATF+3 or ATF+4 transmission fluid.

I hope this helps.

[john51md]

Originally Posted by KManiac

I know a little bit about Shadows, having owned my 1991 ES Turbo Convertible for the last 14 years. But I have never had a Shadow with a 3.0L.

Now I do have experience with a 3.0L with electronic 4-speed automatic in a 1989 Grand Caravan. A weak point on the 3.0L is the valve guide seals. Always got cold start up oil smoke from the 3.0L. But the rest of the engine was good. It was running great at 207,000 miles when we sold it. The 3.0L has a timing belt. This belt drives the two overhead camshafts and the internal water pump. Replacing the water pump and timing belt (always do both together) is a 4 hour job per flat rate manuals. The electronic transmissions are good as long as they have been serviced every 30,000 miles and fed nothing but ATF+3 or ATF+4 transmission fluid.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply, this 3.0 doesnt seem to smoke at start up or anytime.yet... Tho if its just valve seals, and they are like most cars, that isnt a big deal to me. Nor is replacing a timing belt unless it take any special tools i dont have, that was my main concern, i just want to replace it because it probably never has been changed.
And i cant say the tranny has ever been flushed either, but the fluid does look and smell good, if ya know what i mean.
So does anyone know if the 3.0 is a interfearance engine?
And last. when i ran the car, i could hear the fuel pump running real loud, i mean more than just a little bit, could hear it plainly while on the road, is this normal for a Shadow? or was it only because they gas tank was almost dry, i mean dry too,as in empty.

[KManiac]

From what I have read and recall on the forum, the 3.0L is an non-interference engine, like the 2.2L and 2.5L. But proactivity is better than reactivity. If anyone else agrees or disagrees, please chime in.

[john51md]

Originally Posted by KManiac

From what I have read and recall on the forum, the 3.0L is an non-interference engine, like the 2.2L and 2.5L. But proactivity is better than reactivity. If anyone else agrees or disagrees, please chime in.

yes i have been checking and it does seem to be non interfearence, just want to be sure because if i buy it i will have to run it a little before i can get to the belt change, and i can deal with a car dead on the road, but dont want to deal with bent valves at the same time.that would be .
thanks for the reply, again.