driveway overhaul?

[gmman]

thinking of buying a 98 bonn se. body and interior in excellent condition. ac compressor is junk. 143000 miles. owner wants 1800. my problem, the oil pressure on this car varies just below 40 at crusing and just above red line at idle. i could be tempted to think it is merely a sender problem but i also heard a muffled thumping mixed in with all the other noises. could this be crankshaft bearing. sort of confirms low oil pressure if it is.

so, i am thinking of offering 1000 with the assumption i will be doing engine work. is a driveway bottom end feasible? has anyone ever attempted a driveway limited overhaul. can oil pan be dropped while up on ramps. would simply putting in standard rod and main bearings (or oversize if warranted) be feasible. can rod and main bearings be replaced without removing heads? can they be tapped out if engine is rotated to bring rod bearings within reach. engine seems to have normal power other wise so top end overhaul doesn't seem necessary. i don't know what oil consumption is.

i don't have garage so engine replacement is not an option.

thoughts and opinions appreciated.

[glorkar]

I just sold my car for those same reasons (low oil pressure, rod knock.) The main culprit of low oil pressure is worn bearings. I'm not sure if they can be replaced while engine is still in the car. I've never tried but I don't think it would be too fun. Honestly, I wouldn't pay more than $500 for the car. I WILL need engine work. Bottom end rebuild for sure, engine replacement possibly. While you're in there, you would want to tear the top end down and replace the intake (upper and lower) anyway. They are more than likely the root cause of the bearing failure. Coolant got in the oil and bye bye bearings.

[alec_b]

Just below 40 at cruising most likely just means it needs an oil change and a new filter. Going into the red and back down is CLASSIC sending unit failure.

I'd offer $750.

Yes, you could do rod bearings in your driveway, but it's not easy. Main bearings, no. The engine and crank have to come out for that. But rods you could do, it'll just be quite a challenge lying on your back, uncomfortable.

[GoldenBullet]

Those are pretty tell tale signs that the engine is on limited time IMO. Don't buy it unless you get it at a good enough price that an engine rebuild/ replacement is reasonable.

[willwren]

Why is a driveway engine swap out of the question? That's the best place to do it. We did Zilla's last year in 23 hours flat, start to finish.

[Jrs3800]

Doing another driveway swap here...

Did Sandrocks 3800 in his 93 SSEi a few years back... Did my 95 after that... Did a Mustang 3.8 recently and am now swapping my 95 Transports motor... All in the driveway..

[gmman]

thanks a bunch for all your thoughts!! gives me alot to consider. most of all you saved me from possibly offering too much (1000). will give more thought to engine replacement. what is best source of rebuilt/used engines?

[Jrs3800]

I think your best source for a used engine would be an LKQ... And even then I would tell you to look for the series III L26... You can look up cars like the 06 Pontiac Grand Prix that will have the L26( I think its a Vin 2, don't quote me on that )

I have yet to see if my L26 is a good motor but so far it looks really good.. I'll have to get it installed before I know for sure tho...

I believe that the L26 Series III is not in high demand as people are looking for the series II engines.. All you have to do with the series III is yank the drive by wire stuff and install your L36 parts on top.. This is exactly what I am doing, but it getting parked in a bay that used to house a series I 3800....lol

[alec_b]

Just a SIII? Why not an L67! Supercharged van... no one would know

[00Beast]

LOL. We (mostly Andrew) swapped a Junkyard engine into Harofreak00's (Andrew) Park Avenue Ultra in appx two days, and that's a harder swap than a bonneville, IMO, due to the side mount.

[willwren]

The L67 swap will cost you far more work. Engine, Trans, axles, PCM, and wiring harness. You'll need factory manuals for both your vehicle and the donor vehicle.

[carl]

Quick question on the L26, isn't the the UIM a bit longer than the L36? How much more is there to it than swapping out the TB? Just curious.

[willwren]

L26 TB is 'fly by wire', not cable controlled.

[00Beast]

Easy way to swap a L26 is to use an L36 upper and lower intake. Then use the L36 TB.

[carl]

Ok thanks. If I had to swap it out fast I would do the manifold swap and then later figure out how to get back to the aluminum UIM. Personally I would prefer to keep the aluminum manifold and fly by if at all possible. Would it be alot of mods/time involved?

[willwren]

The aluminum manifold is no advantage if you properly repair the nylon upper or purchase an APN or Dorman replacement.

The fly by wire is far more trouble than it's worth.

[GoldenBullet]

The fly by wire is far more trouble than it's worth.

very much agreed, not sure about others, but of the FBW equipped cars ive driven, its much more laggy than the traditional setup.

[carl]

Ok, thanks again. On that, I was thinking in terms of safety rather than performance, but the fly-by doesn't sound like a good design. And come to think of it my current plastic UIM never has exploded... so far.

[willwren]

Don't use an old one. Unless you sleeve the EGR.

[gmman]

if you snooze you lose. while i was checking out availability and prices of used/rebuilt engines for the 98 bonn se, someone met or negotiated a price on the car. so i have to start over but this time i am better prepared thanks to members. i was looking for daily driver and i still have an 88 bonn se with over 325000 on original engine and transmission. tranmission is beginning to show signs of slipping and body needs paint and door gaskets. so that is an option but will likely need transmission work or replacement. again, merci beaucoup to the many members who responded with advice and suggestions. can't imagine any other source with the knowledge and experience of the bonnieville club.