That would explain why , my manual says nothing about the side bolts!! Good thing I didn't try whacking on them with a hammer before! Thanks to all for the help , it is greatly appreciated!!!

Oh, and if you are wondering about this comment:

The information is there all right...I just did not find it at first because I was looking under L engine code. The FSM categorizes engines by VIN codes. Although the Series II '95 Bonnevilles is an L-36, its VIN code is K.

Wow , I was wrong!! It wasn't the rods knocking , it is something on the top end of the motor at the rear of the motor. It is loudest just to the right of the alternator? I'm thinking valvetrain related. I pulled the rear valve cover and lossened up all the rockers and went back through the torque process by the book. I think it was 18 ft lbs + 90 degrees or something like that. Well , That didn't help so after driving it back home to Kansas City from Kokomo Indiana just after thanksgiving I changed the oil and substituted one quart of castrol for one quart marvel mystery oil. The noise seemed to go away at 35+ mph. Then I changed the oil again 200 miles later and put all reg. castrol 10-30 back in it.

Well it started back up again making the same noise after about 50 miles so I drained 1 quart and added 1 quart lucas oil stabilizer and within 2 miles it started the death rattle. I knew the lucas might quiet it down , but I was still gonna have to tear into it regardless.

All that said , could the balance shaft bearings "pop" out of the carrier or am I looking at cam bearings/bad cam/bad lifter(*)? The rocker arms upon visual inspection looked normal and the pushrods were straight.

I'm looking for another bonneville after tax refund time so I can give the in-laws their back up car back to them until I fix my current bonnie. Anyone in the K.C. area that knows of a 95 or newer bonnie for around 15-2500$ please let me know!

Sorry for long post , just need any ideas of what repairs I'm looking at! TIA , Matt.

Maybe it'* a collapsed lifter?
Did you soak them for a while before you put then back in?

I've never had the lifters out? I wonder if when the upper intake failed , if I got all the coolant out of the block?

How do the springs and keepers look... just tossing out general ideas here.

I haven't tore into it yet , waiting to get my tax refund so I can afford the 460$ cam and lifter kit if I need it. I hope I don't have to pull the motor out , but it sounds to me like it is inevitable.

You won't need a new cam unless your lifters are grinding the crap out of it.
I have 2 stock series 2 cams in good condition collecting dust in my garage that I could send you for little more than the cost of shipping.
And for lifters, you may want to get low mileage L32 or L26 (series 3) ones off of Ed Morad (GTPMORAD on here). I had a lifter tick before my head install this summer but I got some low mile L32 lifters off ed, soaked them for 24 hours, and the tick was gone after install.
I think I got them for 50 or 60 bucks.
You may just want to take it down to the LIM and replace the lifters. You won't have to remove the timing cover or the engine it'* self.

well the engine is out and I found 1 dead lifter and some wiped rod bearings. problem is some salvage yard said that 95-02 3.8'* will interchange , NOPE!!!! I bought a L code motor off ebay with tranny went to switch my heads onto new motor because of different intake and exhaust manifolds , head intake bolt pattern is diff , exh bolt up is different and on one the exh valve is the last on the back head pass side and the other intake is last! So I can't put the motor in because the P/* bolts low on mine and the new one bolts high , right where the a/c stuff is. and I cant use any parts off it either! How do I get ahold of this guy on here that sells lifters cause my cam and bearings are still good and I need some standard rod and main bearings and piston rings if anyone has some useable lifters or new of the other stuff please let me know.

Also if anyone is looking for a "L" motor out of a 95 regal and or the 4T60E from it please e-mail me: mbrown1700@kc.rr.com they have 115,000 miles on them.

End rant and thanks if anyone can help me find some parts! All local parts stores : mains , 77$ rods 24$ rings 145$ cam and lifter kit , 435$

Machine shops arent any cheaper.

All 95-03 L36 3800'* interchange. There were a few L27'* made in 95, but primarily, the L36 took over that year.

You really want the newest engine you can get if you're going to do something like this.