Some good news. I had about 30 minutes tonight and jumped under it. Pulled the #6 plug and it's fine. However, the wire is not so good. It basically crumbled in my hand including the wire falling from the boot and the boot coming apart in a handful of pieces.

I found it was fairly easy to remove from under the car using an box-end wrench on the socket. A ratchet would have been iffy. Now to pick up wires.

 

New Wires on. 3 and 4 are a bit of a pain. Not very simple on the 3.8L and I don’t think they’re possible from above. Lucky I have scrawny arms.

Drove about 3 miles and into mile 1 knock started. Thinking I may drain the new synthetic oil and change to Dino or blend for a bit. I put in 10w30 full synthetic and the noise started. Any advice appreciated. Oil pressure reads good on gauge (steady at 60) Maybe add an engine additive And run it a while?

Now know I have to change the brights switch. I’ve never had to do that, but know it’s well documented.

Anyone know if it’s possible to get the door/trunk key made If you don’t have one without a locksmith getting involved? T-Tops are same key, right?

 

This seems pretty clear. Look right? Sounds wrong.

 

download to youtube then post link to it.

 

 

Do the knocking seem louder under the car or under the hood?

 

I have a ~3’ chunk of cooling hose. I listened through it and touched it to various parts of the motor and trans. Sounds like it’s coming from right on the bottom of the motor. The sound is as if I was using a small metal hammer to tap on a metal table.

I'm going to call around and see if I can't find an L26 or L36 per this thread: https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...nt-info-57568/

 

There should be plenty around I am sure they are getting harder to find with low miles. Newer is better. Under 50,000 miles for under $500 was the norm. I paid a little more then that but I got one out of a camaro with 48,000 miles on it. They just gave me the whole motor with all the stuff still bolted to it. I was able to use most of the low miles parts, you will not be about to do that with a FWD engine.

 

I’m going to look around. I have access to some 96 LT1s and might think about an LS1. If I find one of those with a manual for cheap I may be persuaded. Mostly I’ll look for 3.8s though.

that LS is calling to me though.

 

I found a 06 Buick engine with great oil pressure and compression for 400 bucks not that long ago. here's a link to the engine change https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...-change-80747/