I had the problem of oil in the coolant but no coolant in the oil pan. The radiator has an engine oil coolant coil within it on the left had side of the radiator. Since the oil pressure runs at much higher pressure than the coolant, the oil (if there is a leak) gets pushed slowly into the coolant and then because it is lighter than coolant if floats to the top of the rad and then into the reservoir. I have since replaced my rad (about $350 CAD) and thermostat and this has taken care of the problem. Since then I have had to replace the overflow hose, the upper rad hose and the water pump to intake hose because the oil swelled the hoses and destroyed them (they were old anyway). I wasn't too worried about the oil leak because as long as coolant wasn't getting into the oil pan, the engine wasn't in danger. I would consider this car if the rest of it is in decent condition but do realize owning an older SSEi is difficult monetarily!!

definately a possibilty, i'm just not sure i want to take my chances isn't it the tranny that has the cooler in the radiator? i remember seeing a seperate auxillary cooler up behind the grille and just assumed that was for engine oil.

there is still a chance i could end up with it, albeit a slim chance. if the guy changes his mind i guess i'll hear about it from my brother.

The radiator is a three core type. Engine coolant, engine oil and transmission oil. Most of us have added an additional (or two) auxiliary transmission coolers in front of the rad. Also in front of the rad is a smaller cooler for power steering coolant.

The cooler in front of the radiator/AC condensor is the tranny cooler. If you look at the engine cradle from the right side of the car (looking under it you will see a little cooler (approx. 4"x6") -that is the power steering cooler.
The engine oil/coolant/tranny cooler combo radiator was an option on some of the earlier SSEi'*. Not all had that radiator.
Also, I would not advise buying (or driving for that matter) the car without putting the sc belt on -it drives the water pump. You might start the car to see if it makes any engine noises, but I wouldn't run the car for more than 1-2 minutes without the water pump churning coolant through the engine.

Since the belt isn't on the sc grab ahold of the sc pulley with your hand(*) and see if you can turn it. Turn it back and forth and see if it makes any noises. If it makes a light clunking noise when you turn it by hand it might be the coupler gone bad (not expensive, but not cheap if you have someone else do it).

If it runs decent I'd be willing to pay up to $1000 (that is if I was in the market for one -after driving my modded Series II -I'd feel way underpowered -at least the 1995 SE SC that I just test drove 30 minutes ago did).

Good luck.
P.*. For $1000, you aren't going to find a very nice SSEi. Heck, for $1000 you'll be lucky to find a decent SE.

The 2.8/3.1 and 3100 use the same block, but 3100 heads are MUCH nicer. He probably just modified the original engine to a 3100 using the parts.

Is the SSEi worth it.... hell yes.

no, it is actually a modified M-code 3100 in a Fiero mated to a Getrag 282 5-speed. fwiw, he is the site admin @ gmpcm.com forums (aka Mick) really helpful guy, he really knows his stuff! yeah, the 3rd GEN 60* V6 heads and intake flow sooooo much better than the 2nd GEN MPFI crap! i wouldn't mind doing a top-end 3100 swap to my TGP engine, but then i couldn't use ANY of the Turbo Grand Prix (TGP) turbo-specific engine parts i have and i would have to do some custom fabrication.

well i finally got a really good look at that hunter green '92 SSEi here in town. i had previously offered $1000 for it, but that was because the guy selling it was going to let me make 5 payments of $200 AND transfer the title to my name when i made the first payment (he'* my brother'* boss). well the deal never went thru because i never heard the engine run....i was suspecting engine damage and quickly forgot about the car.

well tonight delivering pizza i spotted the green SSEi again parked across town. it was behind an apartment building with tags that expire at the end of this month. i found the owner of the car and he seemed pretty cool. previously i had dealt with the owner'* girlfriend'* dad (my brother'* boss), who was trying to sell it to me because his daughter owed him money (long story). so this time i got to talk to the actual owner. he started the car up and the L67 ran and sounded GREAT....started right up, revved nice and smooth and quiet. i noticed some smoke coming from the firewall area and i'm not sure what that was about - bad valve cover gasket or possibly head gasket probably. one of the pulleys made a knocking sound but only when the engine started up and again when it was shut off. it was DEFINATELY a pulley, and not a rod bearing or anything internal. he told me he quit driving the car when it got hot once, and replaced the thermostat and it was fine....then the belt broke and they quit driving it altogether and it'* been sitting since. when i looked at it today i noticed it had a new belt. i didn't drive the car but he said the transmission has never been a problem (of course i'll look into that before i agree to buy). the fluid was nice and bright red tho. i ran a carfax on the car back in May and it had a little over 100,000 miles and was clean as a whistle. no rust anywhere on the car, it needs a new hood, and the front bumper cover is ripped. the interior is a little dirty but would look great after a good cleaning. fully loaded of course being an SSEi...power moonroof, HUD, leather blah blah.

i really want this car....BAD. i can easily fix the pulley problem and i'd probably replace the head gaskets, intake gaskets and otherwise do a reseal job on it. i know the engine is healthy and fairly low miles. what do you guys think? $200 for 5 months, title in my name right away, and of course....that ever important "new car high" i really need a project car with some enthusiasm....something i very much lack when it comes to my Cutlass.

i will get some pics....

I have a great idea. Why don't you buy this really nice blue 92 SSEi that doesn't have any problems?!?!

cuz i couldn't afford it the last thing i want is another car loan lol. i need a cheap and easy way to get an SSEi.

i went and took a few pics of the SSEi this morning:











it looks like **** without the body side cladding, messed up hood, and the donut spare....but really that stuff is minor. the other crosslace wheel is in the trunk.