I have a 2004 monte carlo ss. The motor is locked up I searched some and couldn't find to much info on this... mostly witch engines are interchangeable.....

What I am wondering is the removal process on the engine... its a 3.8

CAn I leave the tranny in place? CAn the headers stay on?

In my opinion basically the intake, radiator hoses and tank, throttle, fuel lines, Harness, exhaust, power steering lines, A/C, then mounts to motor and tranny bolts.. then she can come out??

Is there any thread on a how to.. I usually pull rwd 4 bangers... its a lil different..

Anyone know the ins and outs?

Any help would be appreciated....

 

Wow, yours blown and mines (well lets say its on its LAST LEG)...wtf! Im battling between what the insurance and the company who last did the engine on my car go decide. If its not going in my favor, then I will be hunting for a used engine (don't have the money for a rebuilt 3.8). Hope someone Helps you soon!!!

 

yes you can leave the trans in it..it ezer

 

You could slap another L32 (3800 NA) or go with an L67 (3800 S/C) or an LA1 (Lol 3400 which I doubt you'll do since the LS's have that motor). You can do a 3800/3900 hybrid i think it's called. Top swaps, motor builds...etc.

Remove anything that connects to the firewall, battery, the like, and radiator. Yes, you can leave the tranny on, remove the exhaust manifolds for easier removal. I suppose you could leave on the front and crossover pipe, but you would definitely have to remove the rear exhaust manifold.

Don't rush with the pull as you might forget to remove something and cause more harm then good. Don't forget to mark everything or pics or where things go so you dont end up with hoses that don't connect to anything lol. Good luck

 

you can find alot of l32 engines in used car sellers aka salvage yards that were taken car of from some people like a l32 out of a buick or a pontiac boniville. if you go that route i will replace all of the gaskets you can think of when the engine is out also swap out the spark plugs and do the oil when you get the engine in. if you have a chance see if you can get a little more insite on what happened to your engine it could be some thing really wiered to prevent it from spinning

 

Its an L36! The L32 is the series III supercharged motor. Your stock motor assuming its non supercharged is the L36. Check out morad parts company. He usually has a lot of used 3800s for sale. I would opt for a lower mileage stock unit. IMO the stock bottom end is just about as good or better than any rebuild you will find. I would trust the stock bottom end over a rebuild job anyday.

 

Not sure if your engine is supercharged or not- if it is, just get another L67, if its not, just get another L36. There are plenty in junkyards of each- so there is really no reason to go trying to find a different engine to put in. You could also do an L32 / L26- because those are basically the newer equivalents of each- but the L67/L36 will be far more common in most junkyards anyways.

I guess the main question is- what blew? If you spun a bearing or something- it would likely be a lot cheaper just to pick up a lower mileage bottom end, and swap all your old parts onto it- that way you can put fresh gaskets onto it while you're in there, so you know everything is good to go.

Either way will work.

You should be able to leave the factory manifolds on. Aftermarket headers are much harder- and IMO are easier to just install after.

No how to thread really- you could get a repair manual, they usually walk you through everything. Honestly, this is no different than RWD 4 bangers. Its all the same stuff- disconnect everything connecting the engine to the car, unbolt the engine & trans mounts- hook up to the lift points, and pull. If you've done it before on other engines- this is cake. Nothing crazy like dropping the engine out the bottom or anything unusual like that.

 

I'm curious as to what blew.

If you plan to keep the car for a long time, I've read putting a Series III 3800 in a originally equiped Series II is not big deal. The plus is the Series III has an aluminum upper intake, I believe aluminum LIM gaskets and a couple minor improvements.

www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com would be a good source for info on that topic.