PENNY IS UNDEAD

[MattStrike]

Hey,

I noticed you said the engine was turning again. Check the oil. If there is no babbit (it's like metallic paint, you need a really bright light to look for the sparkles) then your bottom end is fine and it only hydrolocked.

[sethjamesrimrodt]

I took all the plugs out and tried to crank the motor and she wouldn't turn.

[SSEiMan01]

It is supposidly cranking now. I'm going there tomorrow to see for myself what's going on and what we can do.

[yonkerse]

Interested in hearing what you find out with this one Will/Carl.

[nos4blood70]

Last time I removed the plugs and the fuel rail, so it was pretty open and it refused to crank. I heard the starter motor attempting to go. There was a hum.
I put everything back together and left it be. On the way back from school the next day, my dad calls me and says he got it cranking again. Hopefully the motor isn't toast. Tomorrow we will see more.

[sethjamesrimrodt]

Last time I removed the plugs and the fuel rail, so it was pretty open and it refused to crank. I heard the starter motor attempting to go. There was a hum.
I put everything back together and left it be. On the way back from school the next day, my dad calls me and says he got it cranking again. Hopefully the motor isn't toast. Tomorrow we will see more.

Unless something is wrong with the starter I'm afraid the engine will probably seize up again once it gets warmer...

[nos4blood70]

Seth, you know what's up. Installed the new UIM today, and replaced oil and filter. Attempted for the better part of an hour to start the car. The L36 is gone. She most likely has spun a bearing.

[MattStrike]

Check the oil. If there is no babbit (it's like metallic paint, you need a really bright light to look for the sparkles)

This check hasn't let me down yet.

[Jrs3800]

What you had described was a perfect description of a bearing failure... I was talking to Will about that.. That upper intake is the one downfall of the 3800 II engine.. I have been there and done that as well...

My 03 has had almost 40,000 miles added since I did the intake and lower gaskets.. 40 Psi at idle and 70 Psi at road speed.. I like to think I caught it before it really became a problem.. At the time I installed the APN intake with the reduced diameter stove pipe and used the GM aluminum frame gaskets..

I hope everything will work out for you Carl..

[Jrs3800]

Check the oil. If there is no babbit (it's like metallic paint, you need a really bright light to look for the sparkles)

This check hasn't let me down yet.

I do agree with that Matt... If the oil has a sparkle( like super fine glitter ), or like a graphite color then the motor is done...

[nos4blood70]

Thanks Don. We'll see what happens. I think everyone is too busy in my family to think about this right now.
Anyways, I have a magnetic oil drain plug, and there was no sparkle on it nor in any of the oil. However, the 2 day old oil was black like the devil's heart. The engine will only crank continuously if you keep the pedal floored. Otherwise it catches and makes gut-wrenching noises. Will made a video.

[SSEiMan01]

I say Don is right, after talking to him on the phone and seeing it in person myself. Sounds like she spun a bearing. You can hear it catch and make a horrible metal on metal pounding noise. :(

L26 hopefully, it's all up in the air at the moment. I hope our boy Carl here doesn't have to keep riding the Ghetto 500 RedLine to school.



EDIT: It's a lot more of a knocking noise in person, the video almost makes it seem like a starter issue, but I can say sadly it's a LOT worse in person. It makes me cringe if I'm honest.

[nos4blood70]

My father refuses to accept that this motor is dead. I don't know what else I can say or do or prove or show him that this *shoot* is dead.

[dz09x]

Honestly, Buying a a used engine will come out cheaper(and more time efficient) and significantly safer. God knows what else has been damaged in all those attempts at getting her to run. It is not a question of whether it can be fixed, because it can be fixed. The question is whether it will hold up after being fixed(and for how long) Best bet is look for a low mileage engine, do the necessary gasket work and typical maintenance procedures and it will be like a fresh start. Long run, a better investment.

That is assuming you are like me and plan on being the only guy on the block with a pontiac ten years from now... my $0.02

[nos4blood70]

I would love to keep her going 10 years from now. I even found an L67 and trans combo for 800 dollars. 89k miles. Apparently he switched two ignition wires today and he got her running for 40ish seconds. But now I have just finished trying again and nothing...

[xrob]

I would love to keep her going 10 years from now. I even found an L67 and trans combo for 800 dollars. 89k miles. Apparently he switched two ignition wires today and he got her running for 40ish seconds. But now I have just finished trying again and nothing...

THE L67 AND TRANS COMBO seems very nice

[sethjamesrimrodt]

It always worries me buying junk yard parts and just putting them in.. this is the reason I had my transmission out a few times. 90,000 mile transmission and it had a bad 4th gear clutch hub.

[nos4blood70]

I was gonna keep my transmission. And sell the HD.

[sethjamesrimrodt]

I was gonna keep my transmission. And sell the HD.

Are you going to do anything to your transmission?

[nos4blood70]

A shift kit for now and leave it be. I won't beat on it at low speeds to save the diff. In the future I'll swap the diff and axles if I feel like it. Besides, the GP guys turbo and topswap their L36/L26's all the time and the trans hold up fine.