I bought a nice 95 that had a bad 3.4 engine (bad rapping noise). I followed the instructions on removing the engine that I found here an on other related sites with no [major] problem(s) (I had access to a lift and have tools). It did take me about 8 hrs just to remove the engine. A mechanic friend of mine told me later that its really about a 3 day job to remove, replace and reinstall the engine in this car. Alldata indicates that it is a 13 Hr Job. I'm sure on the next one I can do it quicker

Question is, what should I do to prep the new (junk yard) motor before I put it in?

I was already planning to install:
- new valve cover and oil pan gaskets
- new front/rear main seals
- new intake gasket
- swap in injectors from old motor
- new plugs and wires
- New Thermostat

Should I put a new oil pump in? Any other suggestions?

Thanks...

 

new water pump, oil pump couldnt hurt. How many miles are on it? Did you see/hear it run before it was pulled? if you did, did you check the oil pressure? If your going through the trouble/spending the money on replacing all the other stuff, a few more $$$ for piece of mind and getting the oil pan gasket out of the way too wouldnt be a bad idea. However, these seem to be great engines with proper maintenance. I have 199,500 miles on mine right now. havnt been inside the engine YET...... better stress the yet, dont wanna be tearin into it tomorrow. lol. It will still run to the speed limiter and burn the tires on command without a problem. These engines, from my experience like A/C plugs also. Just in case you didnt already have a preference.

 

I've got 241,000 hard miles on my 3.4 and haven't been inside the engine yet. These are def tough engines considering this was my first car so you can just imagine how it was driven back then lol.