I have a 1995 camaro witha 3.4l engine. It started running hot and i notice water in the oil. I'm not sure if it is just a blown head gasket or a cracked head. I have a couple of questions. It has been sitting up for about 6 years now can these motors be rebuilt or would it make sense to purchase another engine?

 

^Start a thread in the V6 tech section, they'll help you out.

 

moved post and started thread for the op, thanks vanquish. welcome to the forum ms ella

 

Blown gasket or cracked head, either way the engine has to be opened up. These engine are rebuildable, but it may not be cost effective, especially if the work is done by a shop. Although these engines are geing pretty old, you may be still be able to find a good used one in a junk yard

 

Considering all the work involved, I wouldn't take a junkyard engine (not knowing how it's been cared for) and just slap it in and then keep my fingers crossed. While it's out, it would make a lot of sense to take the upper end apart and do the head gaskets and other stuff anyway. Sure would suck to go through all the work of replacing the engine as is, only to have something let loose some months down the road (like your present engine just did).

 

I have finally purchased an engine for my camaro but i wanted to find out what is the best way to take out the old engine? Also I purchased the engine from an individual and the engine looks good, doesn't look to have any problems. Should I change the timing chain/belt on it?

 

the best and easiest way to pull the engine is to drop it out of the bottom. the whole subframe engine suspension transmission comes out as one, than you can unbolt the trans and pull the engine off the subframe. now bolt the new engine in place bolt up the trans and lift the subframe back into the car.

this is for a LS1 engine so it wont be exactly the same but its still a camaro

 

My car has been inoperable since 02. I purchased a engine for it and will make some changes to make sure it is running properly. With the car setting up for so long do I need to replace the radiator, clutch and brakes. I know it will be best to replace the fuel pump and fuel filter. Is there any other items I might need to look at when getting started with this project.

I need to replace the steering wheel, do you know the best place to get a part like that other than the junkyard.

 

If it has been sitting for 11ish years, you are going to want to replace the brakes, tires, serpentine belt for sure, and inspect every other rubber part you can find for cracks and drying. Rad and clutch should be fine, but you are going to want to flush the rad as said the old engine had the water and oil mixing...

The rest of the fluids should be changed too. Oil and coolant of course with the new engine, but I'd look at the brake and PS fluid too.

Good luck. Post pics of the engine swap as you go.

 

For steering column parts the junk yard is your best bet. Most of the parts in the column are dealer only parts. I am not sure how many are discontinued but when I used to repair stolen cars with broken columns it was easy to rack up $600 in parts depending on how much of a hack job was done.

Your bake system needs gone over. You really should rebuild or replace the caliper/wheel cylinders and the master cylinder, also replace the flexible hoses and flush the brake fluid. The brakes may stop the car now but since it was stored not used the seals and rubber should be considered unsafe.