Want another Bonneville, which ones to avoid?
01-16-2004, 12:54 AM
#21
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hehe...yes ours is column shift too. Its my wife'* primary driver and she keeps a small trash can where the shifter SHOULD go, but at least the car stays neater LOL. I didnt pay attention to the trim level but I had seen a Bonney with a floor shift at the junkyard a few months back and had a passing notion that it would be neat to convert it. Don't they just have a cable running from the console to the column and the shifter level is merely removed from the column?
01-16-2004, 12:57 AM
#22
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Originally Posted by BCKINBLK
Oh the humanity! I've lost all respect for the early base model bonnies
The column shifts i drove, were nasty, could barely feel the "gates".
The L36 engine (Vin k) is fixable and preventable. There is a preventative kit for less then $100 online, and we can walk you thru a complete dissassembly. Don't buy one that'* low on coolant though. Other then that, make sure the wheel bearings are good, and it doesn't run warm or anything and you should be set.
01-16-2004, 01:13 AM
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is it the metal tube? the prevent kit that is?
The price would have to be right on that model of engine lol. But I think I could do it, with the knowledgable bunch here. My Royale spun a cam bearing at 100k and I took the engine out, stripped it to the short block and let a shop handle the block. In hindsight, I think I would have gone all the way to bare block myself and let the shop just install new cam bearings and handle the balance shaft.
My 99 Malibu is currently down and in a state of reassembly in the driveway. intake gasket went and let the crankcase fill up with Dex **** . ran a compression check before taking it apart and had one cylinder at 60 lbs, another at 90 lbs, the rest were 170 ish. So I went ahead with new head gaskets and let a shop check and vat the heads too. I am not a pro but I tend to turn my own wreches LOL
Still, I wish it was a 3800 instead I was wrenching!
The price would have to be right on that model of engine lol. But I think I could do it, with the knowledgable bunch here. My Royale spun a cam bearing at 100k and I took the engine out, stripped it to the short block and let a shop handle the block. In hindsight, I think I would have gone all the way to bare block myself and let the shop just install new cam bearings and handle the balance shaft.
My 99 Malibu is currently down and in a state of reassembly in the driveway. intake gasket went and let the crankcase fill up with Dex **** . ran a compression check before taking it apart and had one cylinder at 60 lbs, another at 90 lbs, the rest were 170 ish. So I went ahead with new head gaskets and let a shop check and vat the heads too. I am not a pro but I tend to turn my own wreches LOL
Still, I wish it was a 3800 instead I was wrenching!
01-16-2004, 01:33 AM
#24
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Column shift in a Bonnie??? that should be a felony charge
It'* just downright WRONG
That would be like having an automatic in a Vette
ken
It'* just downright WRONG
That would be like having an automatic in a Vette
ken
01-16-2004, 08:01 AM
#25
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Originally Posted by Jim W
Originally Posted by zzzzzeke
Originally Posted by Jim W
get a 2000+ SE or SLE, at least you can prevent upper intake failure 
Just looking at all the options.
i've seen plenty of 2000+ k motors needing the air plenum. My gf'* 2000 with 70K for one, along with plenty under 100k at my dad'* shop.
Granted this is still pretty common I'd say, i'm not bashing the 3800 in any way. I would way rather see you get another bonneville then get some foreign POS
01-16-2004, 08:43 AM
#26
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All engines have their problems. Going with the 3800 will cut down on many.
I have never had a major problem with my car. The worst that has ever happened was my starter connections got dirty and it wouldn't start.
I have never had a major problem with my car. The worst that has ever happened was my starter connections got dirty and it wouldn't start.
01-16-2004, 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by crzydmnd72
is it the metal tube? the prevent kit that is?
The price would have to be right on that model of engine lol. But I think I could do it, with the knowledgable bunch here. My Royale spun a cam bearing at 100k and I took the engine out, stripped it to the short block and let a shop handle the block. In hindsight, I think I would have gone all the way to bare block myself and let the shop just install new cam bearings and handle the balance shaft.
My 99 Malibu is currently down and in a state of reassembly in the driveway. intake gasket went and let the crankcase fill up with Dex **** . ran a compression check before taking it apart and had one cylinder at 60 lbs, another at 90 lbs, the rest were 170 ish. So I went ahead with new head gaskets and let a shop check and vat the heads too. I am not a pro but I tend to turn my own wreches LOL
Still, I wish it was a 3800 instead I was wrenching!
The price would have to be right on that model of engine lol. But I think I could do it, with the knowledgable bunch here. My Royale spun a cam bearing at 100k and I took the engine out, stripped it to the short block and let a shop handle the block. In hindsight, I think I would have gone all the way to bare block myself and let the shop just install new cam bearings and handle the balance shaft.
My 99 Malibu is currently down and in a state of reassembly in the driveway. intake gasket went and let the crankcase fill up with Dex **** . ran a compression check before taking it apart and had one cylinder at 60 lbs, another at 90 lbs, the rest were 170 ish. So I went ahead with new head gaskets and let a shop check and vat the heads too. I am not a pro but I tend to turn my own wreches LOL
Still, I wish it was a 3800 instead I was wrenching!
01-16-2004, 08:06 PM
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My neighbour'* LG3-equipped '87 has a column shift.
Wouldn't '88 thru '91 be the same? :P
get a '88 SSE, they are the best looking IMO
