So I picked up a 97 with a knocking 3.8 for my wife. It's an automatic. I got a motor out of a 99 5 speed yesterday. Before I start pulling everything. Can I just swap the automatic flexplate onto the new motor in place of the manual flywheel?

 

so long as its a series 2 or 3 3.8 it should fit fine. 99 is a series 2. i think series 3 starts in 04

 

I am not sure bout the automatic but the manual bolts are use once and through away. You will want to verify that for the automatic.

 

Shouldn't be a problem, and replace the TTY bolts with new, just to be safe. And since the replacement engine is out in the open, think about replacing the LIM gaskets and intake gaskets too. If the LIM gaskets failed on the old engine then that may be why it's knocking, milkshake for oil (when those fail they can leak coolant into the engine oil).

 

Ordered new upper and lower intake gaskets, oil pan gasket, valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, fail safe thermostat, plugs and wires from rockauto.com, so I'll be swapping that stuff onto the new motor this weekend, and then starting to pull the old motor. Does anyone know where to find TTY bolts?

I think you're right about the intake gasket on the old motor. it doesn't knock when you first start it, but it knocks when you let off the gas while rolling. Wife was following me in the jeep and sprayed oil and coolant all over the windshield and front end. We bought it expecting to replace the motor though.

 

TTY bolts are dealer only item to the best of my knowledge.

You need a guide to pulling the motor?

If you check the oil and it is a milkshake collor then it was the intake. If the oil looks back then is was either run dry due to the leak or over rev'ed.

If it was over rev'ed you may want to keep it for parts or repair. If it has the milkshake oil its scrap.

I bought my 96 needing a motor also. I have almost 70K on it since the motor was installed. These motor are very dependable as long as you keep them maintained and don't rev the crap out of them.

 

Definitely not my first time dropping a cradle. I think I can figure it out but a good guide never hurts, so if you have a link for me, awesome. The oil didn't have coolant in it. But they did have way too much oil in it. I drove this thing a good 20 minutes down the freeway before it stalled on me, and we pulled it the rest of the way home. soon as it cooled down it fired right back up though! lol. already have the other motor anyway. May go through this one after the other is in, and have a backup.

 

The oil could be way high because coolant is sitting on the bottom of the pan (oil floats). Its very likely the engine didnt stall, but it locked up since coolant isn't a very good lubricant. That would also explain why the engine started again after it cooled off and internal tolerances opened up. You'll know more once you pull the drain plug.

 

Just got done with a 4x4 Yukon tranny today that came back from rebuild last night. Was hoping to start on the Camaro tommarow but it's supposed to rain the following day and I'm working outside. It's next on the list though Monday because then we've got a week of nice weather here in Columbus. I'm not new to dropping cradles in front wheel drive cars, any tips to make this swap go smoothly, now's the time

 

consider changing head gaskets. would hate to see it blow one in the first year. way easier to do when engine is out.