From this previous post:
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=851

I started tearing it down today. Got as far as removing the intake manifold and valve covers. Tomorrow I will have the front cover off. Currently the waterpump and everything else is off the front. I need to drain the oil and remove the pan next.

Here are the pics:

Before the work started


Looks like I need a new grommet (haven't looked for the other half yet


TB removed


Fuel rail


Inside the intake


Bottom of intake


From the top


The good stuff:

Looks like there is room for some porting. There is also a question of this motor being apart before. Did Felpro make OEM gaskets? There is also evidence of these plastic gaskets deteriorating also. Here are the gasket pics. Will try to get better ones tomorrow.

Looks like the LIM gaskets were over-torqued at some point.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

I was looking at them a little closer today and it does seem like they were over torqued. I remember now that there was a couple of bolts a little tight.


It's too early for you Bill, I don't have the UIM and LIM set-up. I just have the IM. Have you had your second cup yet?

please hit the Macro button on your camera before taking anymore close-up shots

_________________
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

Sorry, wasn't thinking. Late night trying to get to a certain point before I went to bed.

You know what I mean by LIM gaskets. ;) They're the same regardless of the 'unified' LN3/LG3 setup. I've seen so many of these gaskets, the 'mashing' around the coolant ports really jumps out as over-torquing because there's no erosion anywhere. Other than that, your gaskets look great.

(on the third cup now)

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Hmmm... Someone has been in there before... The gaskets you took off are Fel Pro... And GM did not have the Orange lower gaskets stock... They should have been gray..

You know any time I can give you some crap I will. I know you know what you are talking about, ya know.

Here are some better pics with the camera set right. The head to gasket match is about the same. I think I'll get the dremmel out.

I need to do this to both of my cars!! The inside of the engine looks really clean though

I'm getting ready to pick up an extra UIM and LIM to port them in advance of swapping them out. Are you going with Fel-Pro as replacements?

Looks like I need to buy a torque wrench too...

_________________
-Eric
"Energy and Persistence Conquer all Things" --Benjamin Franklin
-1989 Buick LeSabre T Type: 220k miles
-1987 Fiero GT: 224k miles
-2012 Honda Civic (boring, but its a good DD)

Ok guys, on to the questions.

1. Should I replace the bearing and spring on the end of the cam shaft?
2. Should I replace the oil pressure valve and spring?
3. Should I just replace the oil pump, take measurements, or leave it alone?

I have the front cover off and the filter housing removed but the pump is still assembled. I want to make sure this lasts for a long time and there is not a big rush to get it done.

As for the pressure before I started, it is an LE with just the idiot light no gage.

I'm thinking since the springs and the plunger is the same as the S2 believe it or not, order an oil pressure kit from INTENSE to bump it up a few psi.

Don't replace the pump unless you got lots of scoring. Even then, the timing cover side needs to be smooth. Otherwise, stick with the stock stuff.

Not sure about the bearing and spring thing...never heard of them being in there.

_________________
2005 GXP - White Gold Pearl, no mods...yet.
2000 SSEi - Resurrection in progress. Built L67 w/L32 fuel rail, ported heads, and cam. Camaro front brake system, GXP cluster, and much more in planning.

Wonder if he's talking about the cam button bearing? Rides on the timing cover to help keep the cam from "walking" forward.

Just my 2 pennies...

_________________
Glenn
1990 LE 215k L67 starter, Delco Ignition (sold and gone to a new home)
1995 SE 259k Stock for now (Sold and gone to a new home)
1999 SLE 70k Stock for now
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/593472

Yes, that is what I am talking about. That is what they call it in the fsm.

Sent Scott an email at intense to see what he thinks about the compatability with the 89 the spring is.

We'll see.

Update....................

Todd (intense) just informed me that Bill Wren used this kit in his series 1 and it worked. All the kits I look at for mine say they are the same for the 88-94, so I think I'll try it.

Yes the intense oil pressure kit should work for you.... Make sure your original plunger has no hole in it... I don't think it will

Yes the button and spring should be inspected.... Mainly you are looking for wear on both the button and the timming cover face... If they are not that bad you will be fine..

On the oil pump, if you have had no issues at all with oil pressure, I'd leave it well enough alone.. Its not too common to have one of these pumps fail

Works great on the Zilla. I can't imagine the LN3 being different.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Any updates on the progress?

Wow. great thread. Good to see a good ole LN3 being taken care of.

Read through some..well most of the thread...and didn't see much to what I'm wondering..

I see you're replacing the cam sensor magnet? Are you replacing the timing chain? New cam? Mild-moderate cam sure would be nice to spunk up an LN3. Lifter valley looks pretty *dang* good and clean.

Ever find the rest of that grommet? Mine did the same thing...never leaked because it just was sucking and already made a good seal...if you get one..could you post the part number for the replacement? I obviously don't need one anymore, but the information could be valuable to me as I wasn't able to find one.

Oil pressure kit should be excellent! That'll keep that thing alive for years to come....and it doesn't seem like the body is going anywhere soon...since you guys don't have salt there...nor do you have the intense sun of the south...perfect place to keep a car...as long as you're not trying to keep it dry!

Best of luck! I'll definitely be following this one.

_________________
John
Now: '15 Toyota Prius III | 134 hp 2ZR-FXE | Silver | 36k
Now: '03 Honda CR-V AWD | Slow 4-Cylinder | Dirt | 180k
Then: '07 Ford Fusion SEL | 221hp Gen I VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Tungsten Silver | 150k
Then: '99 Toyota Avalon XL | 200hp 1MZ-FE 3.0 V6 | Diamond White | 189k | Sold: July 2015
Then: '11 Ford Fusion SEL | 240hp Gen II VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Ingot Silver | 84k | Totaled: Oct 23 '14 (Rear-Ended)
Then: '96 Buick Park Avenue Ultra | 240hp Series II L67 | Medium Dark Lichen | Bought: JAN 11 @ 135k | Accident: FEB 3 '12 | Crushed: MAR 1 '13 @ 153K
Then: '98 Pontiac Bonneville SSE | 205hp Series II 3800 L36 | Topaz Firemist | Bought: NOV '09 @ 74k | Accident: MAY 28 '10 | Crushed: MAR 15 '11 @ 84k
Then: '93 Pontiac Bonneville SE | 170hp Series I 3800 L27 | Dark Yellow Green | Bought: JULY '07 @ 92k | Sold: JULY '12 @ 118k
Then: '89 Pontiac Bonneville LE | 165hp 3800 LN3 | Medium Garnet Red | Bought: JAN '05 @ 117k | Sold: SEP 30 '07 @ 152k

Had my last week of classes this week and finals on Monday. I work all weekend, so I plan on hitting it hard over the next couple of weeks. Just mainly cleaning things up right now.

I don't plan on doing anything with the cam or crank. There were no issues before I started and don't want to cause any now. This is going to be my daughters car and I want it to be in top shape. (well, she will be learning to drive in it, but it will always be mine)

Yes, I am putting a new timing set in it. I did disassmble the oil pump and there are no marks inside the housing at all (actually surprised me) and all the castings have date codes of 89 on them. The cam button doesn't even look like it was touching the cover.

The grommet for the valve cover: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=DOR&MfrPartNumber=42316&PartType=738&PTSet=A

Wasn't hard to find, just typed in grommet in the search bar.

I will keep this updated as I go along. It has just been a busy week.

I got most of my parts cleaned up and ready to do some Pand P (paint and polish). What would be a good paint to use on things like the timing cover, oil pan and such? I know the thermostat is 180, but I want a paint that will last. Along the same lines, what is a good temp range to look for on wire loom? I have been seeing a lot rated at only 200 degrees.

For the paint
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/engine.html

And I haven't found a good loom yet either, the Taylor stuff I have now is sub par.

_________________
Bone Evil

Mods: Tog Headers, cat delete, Al 104's gapped .050, 1.9 rockers, 105 springs,
Intense FWI, DHP Power Programmer PCM, Intense tranny with gen2 lsd,
Aeroforce scan gauge, Clear front and back, N* TB & LQ4 Maf,
Hoosier slicks, ZillaMotorsports P/P GenV & LIM

Pisco_Paul wrote:

Every time you pat my head, you pat a piece of my valve retainers.