You guys have seen my bonneville, and it'* full of new stuff, like a new trans, new struts&springs, new headliner, new thermostat, and on and on...
But now the 154,xxx mile engine seems a little angry. Sounds like a spun bearing or something, it knocks a tiny bit and will squeak ocassionaly. So do I re-build the engine and spend alot of money, or sell the car, and loose alot of money, and spend more money to buy an ssei? I really really love the car and so does everyone I know, and the first gens are getting rare now.

What year is it again? Replacing the short block isn't that bad if you do the work. figure around $500 or so. A good L26 short block should be around $300 and another $200 or so for gaskets.

90', and yeah thats not bad. I thought id be more.

I saw a full series 1 long block on CL here, I think it was $450

Rebuild because you will just take it with even getting a kiss if you sell it in its condition now. If the buyer hears the knocking and so on he will want a couple grand knocked off because of the engine problem. Pull her out and rebuild it. I have pictures and video of when I rebuilt one of my buddies series 2 3800.

Knocking a tiny bit isn't a spun bearing. When you have a spun bearing, you know it. There'* no doubt what the sound is. Its loud, and you know your engine is completely done for. You aren't driving anywhere. Sounds more like a collapsed lifter in your case. Been there, done that.

If you drop the oil pan you will know if you lost a bearing. You will find metal in the pan.

I agree 100% with Danthurs

the lifter sounds more realistic because Ive herd the sound a tiny bit from the top end since day one, and could feel it almost if I put my hand on the intake. Now the question, do I rebuild the 3800 or swap in a 4.9 from the h-body cadillacs? That would be really cool. But would it even fit? Im no where near ready to get rid of this car yet and a dead lifter isint going to send it packing if I can help it. It turns heads 21 years later because the general population dosent know what it is.