Well, I have an update of sorts. I was delayed waiting on a new MAP sensor and front valve cover (broke the spark plug retainer nibs on old one), so just got it all back together today. When I went to start it, there was a terrible grinding noise from the starter. It'* strange because it was turning over and cranking with the starter when I cranked over the engine the last time trying to push the water out of the cylinders.

I took the front plugs out and turned the engine over with a breaker bar on the balancer. I was afraid maybe the engine was locked but it does turn by hand although at first it seemed stuck (wondering if the pinion gear was still engaged at flywheel?). It will now turn over by hand CW. But, I tried to crank over again with the starter motor and immediate, god-awful grinding noise. When I would go back out and try to turn over by hand, I would immediately here a click or what sounded like maybe the pinion disengaging from flywheel and it will then turn by hand but still no dice with the starter.

Should I take the starter off and see if damage to the pinion gear? Still hoping no internal engine damage. If the engine was hydrolocked after sitting for 2 weeks, would the starter and flywheel make that kind of racket at the initial attempt to start? Or would it just engage the flywheel and not move the engine? It is turning over by hand although at first it almost felt like there was a "catch" at a point during the revolution by hand. Just wondering how the starter now seems to he clashing with the flywheel?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Thanks for any thoughts, I may have some time this weekend to get back on it.

I looked under the car where the starter is and it is fairly wet as it'* under the exhaust manifold. Maybe I did push more coolant out that I originally thought when cranking over. It'* just strange to hear the starter grinding when it wasn't before. If it'* turning over by hand, would it be worth trying another starter? I have never changed it and have had the car from 120K mark to present 220K so I assume it'* the original.

I'm guessing the Bendix went bad and it'* not engaging.

[QUOTE=CathedralCub;1636959]I'm guessing the Bendix went bad and it'* not engaging.[/QUOT

Yeah it was an ungodly clatter..

To update, I replaced the starter and it started up albeit with a ton of smoke for the first couple minutes. It settled down after it burned everything off but would not idle well (I had cleaned the TB and IAC when putting back together). I went ahead and replaced the IAC and it runs normal again so very happy the engine still has some life in it. The coolant reservoir is holding steady. I just have some clatter or whine somewhere in the beltline I'm guessing from the PS or compressor -- but that was there before. To be expected with 220K mi I guess.

Thanks for your help during the repair. Very happy to see the 3800 have some more life in it!

Best Regards

Great, thanks for letting us know how it turned out!