Now everything is over. :( After putting all this time,money and effort my engine is GONE. The 6th rod and piston are shreded to pieces and block granaded into pieces.There are no words to describe my feelings, but I need to come up with a right decission.
So what do I do now? The car is '97 SE had 100000mi on it. Should I go with used engine or reman.
Here are the options I was given:
Used 50000mi $1895 installed
3/36k warranty reman $2895 installed
3/75k warranty reman(Jasper) $4295 installed.

is this right price. Maybe somebody have idea of what is the best to do in this situation?

I'd go with the middle choice if you have the cash. Don't bother with the Jasper... they are crap and seriously overpriced. Ask them if you can buy an extended warranty for a few bucks more.

Jr has got it Bang on!! about the plastic upper intake. Its a huge design flaw, cuts down on weight, but the trade off is usually tragice, and usually 100K miles after a Bonne'* owner fall in love with it!!.

Go for the new engine and get a 180 T-stat, it will help.

Good luck, keep us up to speed on the progress

(I'm sorry, are we a bit biased here? LOL)

I'm in the middle of a big decission. Put another 3 big for a new heart for my Bonnie or just give up on it. Don't forget that I've already spent 2300 in the last month. My wife is sceptical. She is talking about putting those money as down payment for a new reliable car ( something like Accord). What is chance that tranny not going to go bad on me after I replace the engine?

If I'm going to go with 50000 engine, mechanic agreed to swap new manifolds from broken engine to a new one.So I guess at least I should not have a problem with that. This 50000 engine is from junk yard, so unfortunetly there is no guarantee that it'* really 50000 and not more plus I have no idea how long it'* been there, so all rubber parts could go bad on me pretty soon.
I don't know If I'm abusive to the car but I like driving 90+mph. When I changed tran oil a month ago it was really smelly and a guy told me that something is not right. Do you have idea how much complete rebuild of tranny might be?
She already have one and so far just changing oil. It'* not a bad car, but Bonnie feels big and powerfull .( at least before )

I did a search of salvage yards in New Jersey and this is what I found. There is one with 39,xxx miles for $700 and salvage yards are always willing to deal. But always look at the car (gas/brake pedals, seats, steering wheel, and odometer) to see if the miles are accurate. If it is then offer them -say $550 cash for this motor (make sure to count out the $550 big ones so they see you are serious, besides they need to move their products to make room for newer ones).
You should also be able to find a shop that will swap the motors for under $700. I have been thinking about swapping in a sc'ed engine into my 1994 and have been quoted as low as $450 for the standard swap.


1997
Engine
Oldsmobile REBUILT 3YR WARR 195 CORE XDB55 $1694 Auto Parts Connection USA-NJ(Montville) E-mail 1-800-894-0073

Engine
RBLT 3YR UNLTD XDB57 $1694 Auto Parts Connection USA-NJ(Montville) E-mail 1-800-894-0073

1995
Engine
Buick LeSabre NEW 1 YR UNLIMITED 300 CORE DRESSED GP01 $1675 Auto Parts Connection USA-NJ(Montville) E-mail 1-800-894-0073

1998
Engine
Buick Park Ave. ROAD TESTED NOF $1000 America II Inc. USA-NJ(Mays-Landing) E-mail 1-866-883-4799

1996
Engine
Buick LeSabre 1-11,3.8L,AOD 108K 022652 $850 Manuels Auto Parts USA-NJ(Williamstown) E-mail 1-800-422-7784

1997
Engine
Buick LeSabre 3.8L,AOD,CLEAN-LOW MILES 50K 023124 $850 Manuels Auto Parts USA-NJ(Williamstown) E-mail 1-800-422-7784

1997
Engine
Pontiac Bonneville 3.8,AOD,W-AC 62K 043047 $800 Stadium Auto Wreckers USA-NJ(South-Amboy) E-mail 1-800-624-0529

1995
Engine
Oldsmobile 98 145k rg/br com/120/acrs 146K 3055C5 $753 PRP - Cosmos Ocean County Auto Parts USA-NJ(Bayville) E-mail 1-800-773-2925

1998
Engine
Buick LeSabre 3.8L,ATO,NOT STARTED,39KMILES 013023 $750 Pro Auto Recyclers - Egg Harbor USA-NJ(Egg-Harbor) E-mail 1-800-962-7337

1998
Engine
Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8L,ATO 013062 $750 Pro Auto Recyclers - Egg Harbor USA-NJ(Egg-Harbor) E-mail 1-800-962-7337

1998
Engine
Buick LeSabre VIN K,RUNS EXC,50K 030153 $700 PRP - Leesville Auto Wreckers, Inc. USA-NJ(Rahway) E-mail 1-888-879-5573

1997
Engine
Buick Regal RUNS EXC, 030131 $700 PRP - Leesville Auto Wreckers, Inc. USA-NJ(Rahway) E-mail 1-888-879-5573

1997
Engine
Pontiac Grand Prix RUNS EXC,74K 030012 $700 PRP - Leesville Auto Wreckers, Inc. USA-NJ(Rahway) E-mail 1-888-879-5573

1996
Engine
Pontiac Bonneville VIN K,RUNS EXC,40K 030150 $700 PRP - Leesville Auto Wreckers, Inc. USA-NJ(Rahway) E-mail 1-888-879-5573

1998
Engine
Buick Regal VIN K,RUNS VG,118K 030145 $600 PRP - Leesville Auto Wreckers, Inc. USA-NJ(Rahway) E-mail 1-888-879-5573

1997
Engine
Buick LeSabre 9-96,3.8,OD,CLM 02307 $Call A. Micciche Auto Parts USA-NJ(Voorhees) E-mail 1-800-310-4460

1996
Engine
Buick Regal 3.8L, 96K,COMP-180,OIL-40, NO.48629 C0689 $Call PRP - EL and M Auto Recycling USA-NJ(Hammonton) E-mail 1-800-624-0987

Martin

Is it exactly the same engine for Buick,Old,GranPrix and Bonneville. How usually is swap being done and who will bring the engine to the shop I mean how even to lift if on the truck?

Boris, I soooo feel your pain. I just posted a message today that I think you could relate to! I was laffing reading your message. I thought I was reading my story! My bonnies heart is gone, my wife was skeptical, do I fix it or don't I!
Anyway, I looked at new, rebuilt and used as well. The best dollar value for me was to go with used. Whether or not it was the right decision, we will have to wait and see.
Good luck with yours

The L67 and L36 engines are "GM Corporate" engines. They are used in all divisions. The basic design was by Buick, way back in the 60'*.

You can order one of the used or rebuilts and the yards will usually ship these straight to the shop that you are using. The engine is usually shipped on a palette and dropped off using a palette jack. The shop will handle everything. Just give them the info on where it'* coming from and when it'* coming. You'll need them to send the old engine back in most cases for a core return.

Make sure the shop will allow you to order/use your own parts. Don't ever use a shop (outside of a dealership) that doesn't. They will ALWAYS rip you off. Also...request your old parts back. That way you'll know they've been replaced.

What should I look for in the engine from the yard to help me understand real miledge and condition. Do yards give the warranty at all? I suspect that if engine been on the junk yard for a while it gets rusty, plus if engine dismounted from the body I have no way to tell real age and miledge.
Please advice...