I have a clicking valve issue that just appeared. I was thinking i should just replace the heads rather then tear down and replace the valve. Is this logical thinking? Also, are there certain heads that i should avoid? I read on here about the 3.1 aluminum swap but is this reliable?

 

No, that's not logical thinking.
The clacking noise you hear (if you're hearing what you think you're hearing) is a noisy lifter.
It's not part of the head at all.

 

Lifters are easy to fix... If you're not running synthetic oil, I would go ahead and try that

 

thanks for clearing that up for me. i'm not much of a engine man outside of the bare basics. my mechanic didn't suggest replacing the lifter, he put lucas oil treatment in and quieted it down but the noise is way too much to deal with. plus im feeling a definate hesitation while accelerating.

 

To me personaly after doing a little bit of research the blocks are throw aways. When your mileage get up there the motor starts to tick and exc... The motors cost about 300.00 from salvage yards around here (Wisconsin) and you can probly hagle down to 200.00 because no one realy wants them and last time i checked scrap metal prices are at a low so no is crushing them either...

 

Umm actually those motors are VERY durable... A sticky lifter has nothing to do with a bad motor. I wanna know where you've been getting your info Shawn... I can hardly ever find replacement motors here because people buy them like crazy.

Lifters will definitely hurt performance. It'll feel like a plug is loose at times. DO you run synthetic oil? And lifters aren't that hard to replace... It won't be fun and will take some time but it's nothing super hard

 

Kal, hes talking 3.4, not 3.8

But as far as replacements go, there are tons of series 2 3.8s in junkyards around here lol, if you need one theres a u-pull it yard in Omaha NE with over 200 FWD misc 3.8 cars.

 

Still easy to get

 

every where you go they have 3.4 and there slow as a dog... there not fast and mines an auto so its not even fun to drive... I sold my old saturn SC2 5 speed CAI and custom paint to a friend of mine we raced and he ****ed on me... Yes a camaro...

 

Ok so you like to go fast... That still doesn't make the info you have correct. The 3.4 wasn't meant to go fast. If you wanna go fast, sell your 3.4 and buy an LT1 car.