The decision has been made by BuckWheat to replace the engine. He will pay for a new engine. I will provide the technical supervision and detail work, cleaning etc..

Haven't decided for sure where to source the replacement engine but it will be a crate or rebuilt long block.

Engine will come out over the next couple of weeks with help from you guys.

What do we do next?

How does the power steering reservoir and hose come off? Do have to drain it all?
Do I require any special tools :?:











Oh darn....look at where they put that temp sensor.

Don't even talk to me about hidden trani mounting bolts until I get close to that after the Easter weekend.

Not to question your decision, but I hope you can get that motor awfully cheap. Even with the motor replaced you have no gaurantee on how long it will last, and you still have the T/C and ABS issue. Not to mention a transmission that will inevitably fail one day even if it doesn't have crazy high mileage.

I mean, if the motor is going to cost you $900-1000, and you can get an entirely different Bonneville for just under $2000, you can part out the old one, avoid all the labour and hassle, and spent just a few hundred bucks more.

I really feel for Victor. I took out a $5500 loan to buy my second Bonne, and I don't even know what I would do if it outright died on me. I can't even sleep when I know there is something wrong with my car. I wish you guys the best of luck in whatever decision you make, I do like seeing a Bonne being saved from a wrecking yard.

Bad luck aside, it looks like fun, wish I were there to help out.
The power steering res has a small bolt at the bottom backside. Its bolted to the throttle cable bracket. No you don't have to drain it the cap should stay on tight.
Power steering pump needs to be removed and placed to the side, remove the passenger side tire and fender well skirt to see it. Remove the fans altogether, connectors are a pita but you will see how it comes apart.
Remove a/c, engine starter, alternator, hoses, wiring and fuel lines.
Remove that little black elbow tube that goes from the heater fan into firewall now before you break it off.

The car is actually pretty sound for being 14 years old.
Being a Vancouver car and garage kept all its life, it has no rust at all.

I think the ABS fault is as simple as a wheel speed sensor.

We haven't dropped the trani pan yet.....tomorrow.....but it shifted and operated fine.

The car we sold was twice as old and in so much worse shape body wise and we got $4,500 for that one.
Finding this one for $1,700. seemed too good to be true.....and it was.
Investing another $2,500. in a new crate motor long block doesn't sound unreasonable for the car he should have in the end with a 4 year warranty.

If the trani goes next year than that'* next years project.

Much better than the alternative of a wrecking yard, yes, I agree.

Thanks for the hints O'Neil.
Ya, I know I can research various old threads here but this old man takes too long to find things these days.
Running advice is much appreciated.

I plan to take plenty of pics of the progress and don't expect record breaking times because we are picking away at this slowly, particularly since Victor is working (to earn enough to afford it) and I am not taking this project on by myself. I am the supervisor and assistant

So tomorrow Buckwheat learns how to remove an alternator, trani pan, wheel, wheel well, power steering pump and fans..........if he can pry himself away from the computer.

.....so someone must have experience breaking that little black elbow tube. Thanks for the warning.

Engine removal continues on page 4 of your original topic:

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...95543&start=60