The reason the motor turn over slowly is because it is no longer a free spinning machine. It is now ripping itself apart. The starter is not strong enough to rip whats left of the bearing apart as fast as it could spin a good motor. So it sound just like a weak battery. The mechanics where not wrong, what ever piece of metal that was lodged in the wrong spot just fell out or broke off. The next time you crank it it might lock up again.

Here is a test. Pull all your plugs. Now spin the motor over. It should spin 3 to 4 times faster then it use to. (make sure you disable the fuel and spark) If it still sounds slow or not fast like it should be then the motor is toast. I have seen the exact situation before almost to the letter. These oil pump kits will not repair a major failures. In many cases the front cover is damaged and will need to be replaced. Maybe before you spend the money on the pump kit you should drop the pan and pull all the caps.

 

Gorn,
Thats what I figured. I couldnt accept that the engine could be repaired so easy considering the trouble it has turning over. I'm just gonna have to find a junkyard engine and hope for the best out of that.
Considering that I will be buying a used engine would it be wise to just replace the oil pump parts on that engine or would that cause problems?

I seen you replaced your waterpump and I will do the same there also aswell as plugs and wires to avoid the trouble later.

Let me know what you think about replacing the oil pump parts on the used engine I get.

Thanks,

 

just me but i would change the oil pump and oil pan gasket. i dont know how hard it is to do the front or rear seal but i would also seriously concider doing. rear has not been easy on any of the engines ive changed so have not done that. gorn would know more on that with the v6.

 

This is just my opinion. I am not a mechanic anymore. So when I post tect information about 4th gens its just what I have seen with my car and what I have read about on this and other forums.
The oil pump on the first design 3800 was a weak spot. That is why I was so sure of your issue. I had see a few time before back when I was a mechanic.

I do not think the 3800 II oil pump is a common issue. I know intake gaskets are and I have seen a fair amount of 3800's on craigs list with blown head gaskets. If you download the parts manual on the sticky on these forums you will see the two main componets of the oil pump is the crank and the time chain cover. I have also read that when you rebuild these motors getting the oil pump to prime can be a problem. You have to follow the process to the letter. I not saying you should not replace the oil pump I can just say I am not on my 40K 2002 motor.

 

I suggest looking around at local wrecking yards like the other guy said. I have an engine also because my cars heads are warped. i found on for $500!!! thats a really good price. i have a 97.

 

Gorn?! Great feed back!! Guys Gorn just hit the nail on the head. You'll need another engine. Sorry dude. Hey CPL!! When have you ever heard of a finance company doing anything to help you out?!? lol.

 

have you gotten a motor yet or figured any thing out. i was wondering because you mentioned fliteline and that is not far from where i lived so i figure you may be close if so i have a 3rd gen camaro with the 3800 in it . last i knew it ran fine we just use the car for parts because all of ours are v8 camaros. if interested i could probably part with it for 250 dollars. if you are interested feel free to email me at internaldifference@ gmail .com

 

3rd gen with a 3.8? that is a very rare car. I think maybe its a 2.8

 

OK guys, you really need to be careful when you are talking about all the 3.8s being the same. I can tell you that the older odd fire have different cranks and cams than the even fire engines but they share the same block and the heads are interchangable. The series 1 and series II and series III engines ARE NOT THE SAME. and Series II RWD and FWD engiens are not the same, the decks are at a different height and the engine mount points are also different. I ran into an issue when assisting my friend in putting a new 3800 in an 88 Lesabre T type. We bought an 87 Lesabre T Type for its engine and found neither the blocks were the same and we could not use the 87 engine in the 88 car. Both cars were the same in every other respect. The spacing between the cylinders was longer on the 87, the knock sensor was located in a different location and even the flywheels were not interchangable. What we found out is the 87 engine was based off the RWD even fire engine and the 88 was the first year of the 3800 and was slightly redesigned for FWD and better performance. The 88 Engine is the first year of the Series I, 87 was the last year for the even fire engine. Oh and the 87 had a provision for a distributor in the block were the 88 did not. Be careful when choosing an engine for your car. There were also some subtle differences from the 96 3.8L to the 02 3.8 even if they were all "K" series engines. This is not as big of an issue since the blocks and cam profiles were the same but the injectors and heads did change for better emissions over the years.

Massey

 

This was the only statement on interchangablity. Are you saying thats not right? I do not think anyone said anything about the old 3800's. If the above stament is incorrect its because it should read 94-04 K motors.

If you check the GM part number for replacement long blocks the 94-2004 K 3800 are the same part number. They may not be idenical but they are 100% interchangeable. That is also not just based on the GM part number it based on a dozen or so build thread where FWD motors where used. I am not 100% sure but I think Musicmans current motor is from a FWD. I myself have 02 in my 96. It was a direct bolt in.

Edit: if this is in about the 3rd gen 3.8 that is just a cluless poster. GM never put a 3.8 in a 3rd gen Camaro. The only 3rd gen Fbody that got a 3.8 was the turbo firebird. That was the GN setup. I seriously doubt he has one of those as a parts car.