My 3.4 is pretty old. It's got almost 206,000 miles and has never been rebuilt or even taken apart to any degree. It feels like it's slowly running out of steam and I know the rings are starting to go because I get a decent amount of blue smoke on start up. I was just wondering if and where I can get a rebuild kit for my engine. It's my baby and I want to restore her powerplant. I'm not interested in increasing any performance. I've already got a Z-28, so no v8 swap suggestions guys.

I'm not sure on how extensive of a rebuild I want to do, can anybody give me any suggestions on that as well? Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

if it just smokes on startup its valve seals, if its constant its rings
you can get about 80% of the stuff to rebuld it from most auto parts stores, or a whole kit from PAW

 

Got over 234,000 on my 3.4. It's been a good one. Smokes a little on start up but that's it. I'll rebuild when I have to. Got 2 Z28s to go in while I'm down with 3.4. Getting 28MPG average with my 3.4. 17MPG on Z28s.

 

I'd rather find a cheap low mileage motor to put in. They are ALOT cheaper then a rebuild.

 

It really depends on how much you want to spend on it. As noted above, it would be cheaper to buy another used engine with lesser miles and swap it out. A rebuild would guarantee you a completely refreshed motor, but it may end up costing more, especially if it needs machine work.

 

Finding lower mileage 3.4's is becoming pretty difficult these days considering they're all at least 12 years old. I've got the Z-28 to drive in and if it's going to be down for a long time, I can always buy myself a little beater. I've kinda been wanting to do that anyway. I plan on driving it until it just doesn't have any more gumption in it...I'm not the type to fix something before it breaks.

 

if 3.4Ls are hard to find, and you want a v6 maybe look at 3.8L swap? I mean I have seen motor/tranny/PCM go as cheap as like $400 but will likely be like $1k.

not sure on what exactly is needed on the swap. But therre are plenty of low mileage 3.8Ls around.

I jsut see a full rebuild running like $2k, which you are putting into a car that is probably not worth $2k.

 

It's not whether the car is worth 2k in book value or not. I've dedicated 3+ years of my own time and a healthy amount of money into the car, so it would be worth it to me. There's nothing like the love you have for your very first car. And as far as a 3.8 swap goes, it's the same amount of work as an LS-1 or LT-1 swap.