No the 3.8 heads will not fit on a 3.4 engine.

 

kinda figured as much..

also have a line on a set of heads form a 1999 3.1 Malibu...would those work?

sorry for all the Q's but im at the point now where i might need some backups in case this this is trashed. i have the valve covers off etc and ready to time it, but i want the backups just in case.

also, while im here...

i have C1 (rear bank, pass side) at TDC and the rear cams so both sets of valves are closed (lobes UP). but what about the front bank? what position does the cam need to be at? say C2 or C6

 

If I recall, the 1997 3.4 is a 3.4 DOHC (Dual Over Head Cam) and is not part of the 3100/3400 series family. This is a more unique engine. I don't believe it shares much if any interchangeable parts with the 3100/3400 series engine (which are over head valve).

 

No the 1999 3.1 heads won't work either. You have a oddball engine with heads that are probably year specific but I'm not sure if a 96 set would fit. As for cam position without a diagram in I can't help sorry. Pretty sure there's a bunch of marks you need to line up . And I remember there was a special J tool we used that held the cam in place when I seen it done last. That was a long time ago, wish I could help more . Good luck

 

Just wondering about the status of the car were you able to replace the pulleys and tension-er and will it run?
There are a few engine companies out there that re-manufacture engines that may be an option to the whole problem just replace it with a 3100 or a 3800 for the 5th gen.

 

well...i tried to get it to fire.. timed it as best i could without knowing (wanting to know maybe..) the valve damage with no luck (pure hope, thats all). Im pretty certain now that the valves are trash and i have no compression. talked to my engine builder and to redo the heads is just north of $1000 depending on how many valves are damaged.

now i have the opportunity to address the leaky gasket issue too