Hey Bonneville fans!!!
I have a 98 SE and was wondering if there is any way to lift engine out rather than drop it out through the bottom? What steps would I have to take to be able to pull the engine out from the top? I noticed in one of the posts there was a link that included picts...and tips, but it wouldn't load on my computer..(Access forbidden),,,, Any ways thank you. For your help!!

Overall it'* easy. I've done a couple writeups if you search on me for it.

It is much easier to pull a Bonneville engine out the top than dropping it out the bottom.

Since the engine in my 98 Bonneville is seized, I am looking for a replacement motor at some of our junkyards here in town...My question here is what should I replace when I buy this used 3800 II Non super charged engine???? Keep in mind this engine has sat for many years and one of the junk yards even offers a 90 day warranty. The replacement engine has around 100,000 miles (give or take)...One thing that I will replace is the valve cover gaskets...I have seen plenty of these engines leak oil from the valve covers...,,,THE KEY HERE IS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENCE.....Another question I have, is $600 a reasonable price for this engine???? Thanks RYAN

Ryan... check car-part.com for local yards and prices.

Replace the LIM gaskets with aluminum dealership ones. Replace the UIM with a new APN or Dorman. Consider blocking the coolant passeges to the TB.

Ok I am getting ready to install engine...3.8 L came out of a 98 Buick Lesabre with 52000 miles on the motor......All for $400.00........Now the transmission question...This Bonneville has been sitting since June of 2006...the tranny has 97000 miles on it...I pulled out the tranny dipstick and noticed that it was way over the max mark(3inches)....Now I know that you have to have the vehicle warmed up and running to get a correct reading, Is it normal for this type of reading for a car that’* been sitting for 3 years??? The fluid doesn't look to healthy (Darkish Brown with a hint of red) and it also smells like power steering fluid...I will replace the transmission filter before running engine.

The engine was seized when I bought the vehicle...Took off the oil pan and noticed at least 3 to 4 inches of sludge(no metal shavings)......The pickup screen was completely clogged with this sludge...I looked up and noticed the rods and pistons were covered in rust....Since I couldn’t turn the engine at all, I decided to take off the intake manifold and get one of the heads off and pound the **** out of the pistons...The intake manifold was flooded with water and gunk....I don’t know what would cause the engine to seize?? Could it of overheated and caused all this to happen.

If the engine overheated, could it cause the transmission fluid to be burnt??
Thanks Ryan

I would think the fluid in the converter drained back into the trans/leveled off causing the overfill view, which is why the trans must be running. To fill the converter and have the pump running.

With that color fluid etc, I would probably drop the pan, change fluid and filter, rotate the converter by hand to ensure it moves freely. Fill the trans with 7 quarts of trans fluid. It will probably want 3-4 more once you get it running, until then you'll have no idea and it shouldn't be an issue to run like that for 10 minutes when you get the motor up and running.

Other than that...I don't know there'* much you can do to check it over.