OOOpps.......silly me, I've been reading too many swap posts, they're all blurring together!!??! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Just when I was beginning to trust the sage advice of sir Ed Mc..... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> j/k. But here's the gloomy update. Ran a compression check, #6 cylinder is 30 pounds lower than the other 5, running at 150 lbs. 4 of the 6 spark plugs are showing a very minimal amount of antifreeze, #6 cylinder showing the most. HOPEFULLY <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> it's from a leaking intake gasket. This is something those numbskulls put on and I generally feel they were just throwing it together to get me out of their hair. That could explain why the compression is low on #6. This weekend the heads should be close to taken off dependant upon the weather. Toaday it's snowing back home so as long as it's withes teet cold, dad says he won't get to it. Not quite sure how I'm gonna show my gratitude to him for this one. Worse case scenario...the guys at the salvage yard sold me a junk engine. If I find that the #6 cylinder is scarred from long term abuse, and needs overhauling, I believe I'm screwed. The cost and labor of pulling this 3.4 to be overhauled just isn't worth it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> Hopefully I've gotton enough good karma built up to learn that the head gasket is just leaking, and will just have to have the heads checked and worked a little.

JC

The antifreeze in the cyl's could be coming from the intake, that's true. It could also be from a blown head gasket. See if there's antifreeze in the oil, if so it's a sure bet either the intake is leaking or head gasket blown, or both. If you've no (or very minimal) coolant in the oil, I'd be more inclined to think maybe you've got head gasket issues.

The 30 psig less compression in #6 could be due to head gasket however could also be due to a burnt exhaust valve so you may have more issues. You probably won't be able to tell much until you tear into it.

At this point, if might not be a bad idea to pull the intake then both heads, with what you've got to pull off to get at the intake, the heads aren't that much more.

I wouldn't be surprised if the shop that did the intake R&R cut the new manifold gaskets instead of doing it the right way, and loosening all the rocker arms so you could pull the pushrods and do a clean install on the gaskets. The "lazy man's" way is to cut the intake gaskets so they'll go around the pushrods. You can get away with this if you do it right, but there's also a lot of potential to mess it up.

Check the gaskets out carefully when you pull them, for signs of a botched installation.

G'luck and let us know what you find..........ed

Here's the update. In taking the front cover off it was discovered that the guys who installed the 3.4 didn't swap the lower timing gear. He used the timing chain (less than a year old) from the 2.8 but apparantly didn't have a gear puller or was too lazy to pull it. So that explains all the noise coming from that area. Found a headbolt broken atop one of the heads. That could explain where the water was escaping to. As well as how 4 of the 6 plugs had antifreeze on them. So, got the heads off and thank the heavens above that the cylinder walls all look ok. Will have the heads checked and surfaced, re-installed, new head bolts, correct the timing gear problem and all should be well. Hopefully... within the next two weeks, this will all be over and I will be beind the wheel of my truck again!! Then maybe I can even meet up with some of ya'll at a run somewhere close. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The 3.4 out in my shop (waiting patiently) also had a snapped head bolt. I wonder if it's a "common" problem on these engines ?

Those head bolts aren't to be re-used, by the way. They are the "torque to yield" type and need to be replaced with all new ones.

From what I've learned, heat is a common problem of these engines. Overall design of the Camaro, limited airflow etc. When one gets up to operating temp, the head bolts expand then resume shape/size when cooled down?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Soemthing like that. Anyway, when they get TOO hot, the expand TOO much then the bolthead snaps. I know I got mine pretty darn hot on the drive home. My fanclutch was shot so it ran fine as long as my speed stayed at 50-55 mph (reminded me of that movie Speed). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> When I slowed down the temperature steadily climbed. So I think I got this one hot enough at some point and snapped the headbolthead. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> The same scenario could have caused yours too snap. Something I would be aware of anyway. The jury is still out on the condition of my 3.4 heads, as they are still at the machine shop being inspected and surfaced.

Update... Just got word that one of the heads are in in fact suffering from DCHS (Dreaded Cracked Head Syndrome). BUT!! I have the heads from my 2.8 ready to slap on there. Does anyone know if these are interchangeable?? Can you put 2.8 heads on a 3.4? Any problems in doing this?? Anyone? Beuller? Beuller?

According to Ed up there ... they're the same heads.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

You'll find the casting # on rocker arm/valve spring side of the head, it should end in "884" on both the 2.8 and 3.4 heads. There were some other casting #'s used but the most common are the "884" heads; all have larger valves than the older heads used in carb'd versions of the 2.8.

At any rate, you should be able to use the cast-iron heads from any '86-up GM injected 60-deg V6.

Too bad we can't bolt up a TBI intake to the FWD aluminum heads, used with the right pistons they'd be quite a performance boost.

Maybe we need a a-dap-tor kit!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Anybody up for an MPFI alum head swap???