1998 SE getting fleeced from mechanic
 

long story short but I had to take my car to get the engine rebuilt.

I did my research and checked into a number of mechanics around where I live and thought that I had decided on a good place. (Guess I didn't) This place uses a rebuilt small block and reinstalls everything from my old engine (doesn't rebuild mine) The shop has told me that they need to replace the complete top end. Up until the engine siezed (didn't change the oil) there has been nothing wrong with how it's run. It hasn't gotten hot or anything.

I'm looking for infomation that I can print out that would back up a suspicion that I'm having. I think that since this in a K vin series 2 the shop doesn't have a small block that would fit my top end. So he wants to charge me for replaces parts to fit his small block.

I know this is a stretch but I'm trying to find anything that will help.

Thanks in advanced.

A small block for the 98 SE should be very common and easy to come by. As is the entire motor.

I agree.

It's just a gut feeling but I don't see how I need a complete top end for my engine when it went from running great to not running. Everything.

Maybe I'm just drawing at straws... but the quote almost tripled and I want to find ANY any information that I can find that would atleast alleviate some of my worries.

(Can most 3800's small blocks be interchanged... or must they use a specific one for the model? that's really what I think I'm trying to get an answer for and then some supporting information that I can print out)

Like Bill says, the 3800 SII are a dime a dozen. You could easily get a running, tested and warranteed one from one of the yards that does this. It's a simple engine swap. I have to believe it would be much less than what you're talking about.

Just what block are they trying to sell you?

What is the year and trim level of your car? SE, SLE, SSEi ?

BTW, welcome to BC. :D

hehe thanks for the welcome. Wish I had found this place sooner.

1998 SE.

I got 'the call' saying that my quoted price of 1595 to do all the work went up to 3985. This includes the complete top end and a few minor things (serpentine belt, water pump etc)

I know the place is trying to gouge me because they told me that the reason that the car siezed is that therer was furl leeking into the oil so it broke down faster. And I know it's from not changing the oil... hehe my wife drove it :(

So I want to go in with a ton of information and stick it to them.

For the series 2, there's an L36 (Non-aspirated primarily for SE and SSE models) and an L67 (boosted for SSEi model). They are somewhat different and don't share the same wiring harness or transmission.

What price are they quoting you?

points up to his previous post

furl in the oil? err what???

for your info... i got a used supercharged 3800 for $435... plus installation...

they are quoting u almost $4000 to put a used top end on your used bottom end?

Wow! :shock:

For that price you should almost be able to buy a new '98.

And I have this sneaking suspicion that you may have experienced a severe case of what we call the UIM/LIM failure. Upper Intake Manifold, Lower Intake Manifold gasket failure.

What were the symptoms before failure?

Yeah, lol. We posted at the exact same time.