What Did You Do to Your A-Body Today?

[lemons bob]

Chances are either the spark plug wires are out of order or the fuel injector lines are. or maybe you forgot to plug the icm in all the way. Start with the basics, Spark Air and Fuel

[Papadopoulos]

Well, as it turns out, not only did I have broken valve lifters, I also had a blown engine... When trying to start her, I noticed a huge oil leak. As it turns out, one of the crankshaft bearings had come out and blown a hole in the side of the engine block. In short: this engine is 100% done for. I may use it as a donor for top end parts but that's it.
Now here comes my new question. What engines could I use to replace this engine with? Would a more modern (post 1988) 3.8 V6 fit in the car without mounting point or wiring issues? Pre 1989 3.8 engines are pretty hard to find in the Netherlands while there is a relatively good supply of (second hand) newer engines.
Just junking the car isn't an option due to severe emotional attachment, so I have to find a solution. The ultimate dream would be to put in a supercharged version of the 3.8, but I don't know if that would work with the car's electrics, let alone the fact that finding one for sale will probably be very hard.
As always, thanks in advance guys!

[lemons bob]

All 3.8 and 3.3 90 degree v6 engines use the same mounting points so fitting if yours is one of those isn't the issue. You will probably need the ecu and wiring harness out of the other car though

[Papadopoulos]

Replacing ECU and wiring harness sounds like a small nightmare, especially since I would love to keep my full gauge cluster. On the other hand, the little extra power, more refinement and no nylon timing gears of the newer 3.8 engines would sure be nice. I wonder if anyone has done this kind of engine swap and how much work it would take. It sure is a serious option for me, but only if it is manageable for a semi-skilled home mechanic.

[Ciera91]

Tested out my AC just now. Compressor didn't kick on, disconnected low pressure switch on the line from dryer to firewall and jumped it. Boom compressor kicked on. I'm assuming I'm low on refrigerant?

Found the blue AC conversion sticker on it from a AC shop converted in 2011. Says Refrigerant added 2.2 and Oil added Ester.

I was going to get DuPont r134A with none of all that additive junk and a charging hose with gauge and re charge it, think that's the problem?

[lemons bob]

Replacing ECU and wiring harness sounds like a small nightmare, especially since I would love to keep my full gauge cluster. On the other hand, the little extra power, more refinement and no nylon timing gears of the newer 3.8 engines would sure be nice. I wonder if anyone has done this kind of engine swap and how much work it would take. It sure is a serious option for me, but only if it is manageable for a semi-skilled home mechanic.

Its been done before and there should be some build threads here somewhere. A know there are a couple for the supercharged version because they are readily available here and if you are going to do it you might as well go all the way, but the non supercharged still has plenty of power for these cars since they are a good 500lbs lighter than anything else those went in, and they should get good mileage on the highway.

[Ciera91]

Did front rotors and pads. Napa had a deal on the kit so got the fronts done. Car stops nice now that it had new brakes all the way around and new fluid that I changed last month.

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

As it turns out

All that was needed was to drop the oil pan...and look skyward for trouble.

[Papadopoulos]

All that was needed was to drop the oil pan...and look skyward for trouble.

True, but it's not like I could have helped it at that point... The new valve lifters were not bought in vain, I'll use them in the new engine.

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

at that point...

When that oil pan is removed, there is a 99% chance there is SLUDGE within it. When pulling an oil pan, one inspects rod bearings with your hand, and also try to push-pull crank (thrust bearing) to see if slop exists.

If any slop in a rod bearing, or if thrust bearing is way out of spec...FIX IT

[Papadopoulos]

When that oil pan is removed, there is a 99% chance there is SLUDGE within it. When pulling an oil pan, one inspects rod bearings with your hand, and also try to push-pull crank (thrust bearing) to see if slop exists.

If any slop in a rod bearing, or if thrust bearing is way out of spec...FIX IT

I'll do that with the new engine! I'm going to buy a second hand engine, take both that engine and my old engine apart and use the best parts of both to build a nice, clean engine with all new gaskets, lifters, filters, lubricants and the correct torque on all nuts and bolts.

[a1veedubber]

Quick question: If something was wrong within the distributor (coil pickup or ETC) on my 86 2.5l coupe would that prevent the fuel injector from firing? Finally got around to fiddling with it again this last week and can find nothing wrong with the fuel or electrical system at all!

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

Quick,,,fuel injector

Dump some fuel into TBI...does it fire up?

See: What to do when 2.5 doesn't start

[a1veedubber]

I will have to read thru that link when I get home from work, whatever it is that is broken is causing the injector to not pulse & the ignition to not fire. It is looking more and more like the ignition system to me as the fuel system and ECM check out!

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

injector to not pulse

Iron Duke I owned would fire up with gasoline, so either TBI injector shot craps, or ECM shot craps; I've got the ECM for it.

Blue Streak Electronics: Production Broadcast Code: 862782

I don't recall vehicle's year....it was a parts car, and dude would not fetch the tittle...maybe 1988...freebie if you want it.