A "regular" at my store talks to me about my plans for a 3800sc (L67) fiero swap. He has a SSEi, year unknown by me, and they got an axle stuck in the tranny and it won't come out. So they asked me if I want to buy it for $400. It sounds good but the deal breaker is the mileage 225k. Does the mileage almost guarantee it will fail soon? I mean those bearings and rings have got to be worn. I could save a buck now, but spend more later replacing it if it fails. Yet keeping costs down is a main priority. What do you think? Could I just install new rings and rod bearings to ensure a margin of safety. I'm sure granny driving it would be ok, but who does that when they swap motors?
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08:58 PM
PFF
System Bot
Spoon Member
Posts: 3762 From: Sadsburyville, PA. 19369 / USA Registered: May 2004
Dont waste any time in accepting that offer. Your talking about the whole car, right? If so, yank the engine and goodies and rebuild the motor or at least the bottom end. If compression is good then go for broke!!
If you know the car and know it has been maintained properly then buy it and just put her in, I have installed engines with as much as 370,000km on them and they are still running ok. Dan
I don't know if the car was maintained properly or not, I can ask. It is the complete car. I figure "U-Pull It" should give me at least $150-200 for the car, so I can get a chunk of change back. I plan on checking dry/wet compression and oil pressure. If those check out I will "do the do". I don't get deals I just work at a parts store, so it comes with the territory.
My local wreckers will give me $100 as the bottom dollar so even at $300 it is a killer deal for a complete donor, but I will check with Ed to see what I can get.
edit - I just checked Ed's ebay store and he wants $200 just for a pcm.
[This message has been edited by goatnipples2002 (edited 08-02-2007).]
Go for it. I've got a 3800 in a Pontiac Transport with 265,000 plus that runs like new. I was talking to the local scap yard not long ago & the guy told me he couldn't figure out why he never sold very many 3800 s until he bought a car with one in it & found out they run forever ! Good luck.
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08:09 AM
fierobeel Member
Posts: 109 From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Registered: Aug 2006
It sounds like its capable of running but not driving, at this point, so you can do a compression/leakdown test, which will give you a pretty good idea of its condition. Some others can probably let you know if these engines suffer from poor intake manifold gaskets like other GM V6's. Mine seemed okay when I pulled the supercharger but a lot of the coolant channels were partially blocked off. This was an engine with 140,000 miles. It might be worth changing the gasket anyway.
Yeah i think I am going to take the chance IF all the checks are good. Hell the super and car itself will get me back my money if need be. With this deal I will have my swap cost to about $1700.
[This message has been edited by goatnipples2002 (edited 08-03-2007).]
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04:10 AM
ohio86se Member
Posts: 1308 From: akron, ohio, summit Registered: Mar 2002
A "regular" at my store talks to me about my plans for a 3800sc (L67) fiero swap. He has a SSEi, year unknown by me, and they got an axle stuck in the tranny and it won't come out. So they asked me if I want to buy it for $400. It sounds good but the deal breaker is the mileage 225k. Does the mileage almost guarantee it will fail soon? I mean those bearings and rings have got to be worn. I could save a buck now, but spend more later replacing it if it fails. Yet keeping costs down is a main priority. What do you think? Could I just install new rings and rod bearings to ensure a margin of safety. I'm sure granny driving it would be ok, but who does that when they swap motors?
Id say do the checks on and if all is good buy it. I woouldn't depend on the sellers says...Hell! he can't get the axle out? WOWW!!
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" DRIVE IT LIKE YOU LOVE IT"
[This message has been edited by ohio86se (edited 08-03-2007).]
