Girls car blows a head gasket...

[Project96]

Can't find them around here for that cheap. But I can get one on ebay for about 5-600. Still doin a bit of looking around to see what I can find. Leaning toward replacing it, probably the cheapest route.

[firebird_1995]

I think before I spent the time and money on replacing the engine, I would put a new head gasket on it and let her rip. Then start saving up for a low mileage replacement with a warranty from a salvage yard.

[harner]

3.8's are great motors. I'd try running that with a new gasket (as firebird_1995 said) and check compression and oil/coolant.

[Project96]

So, I'm about to start going back together with this thing today. My question now is, which way do the pistons go in? There are no marks indicating front of engine on the pistons once cleaned up. I had a few during dis-assembly & wasn't paying attention to the direction of the rod bearing notches. I'm pretty sure the last one I pulled had the notches in. I have been looking at the pics I posted & it looks like I should be able to read the stamped numbers on the pistons once installed, but that would put the notches out. Any ideas before I start? Thanks.

[gojo83]

First off welcome and second This motor is the back of my hand when it comes to knowledge. here is your best bet go to moradparts on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-03-GRAND-...item51a96a7e14
this guy is legit and a good guy on top of that. I will tell you that with remans you have a higher risk of spinning a rod bearing depending where you get the rebuild from. third I will say that for not much more money you can toss a SC on it and have a fun car. I am actually building a hi compression block motor like that was in the intrigue with ported heads and bigger cam and intercooled and bigger blower. They are fun to drive and not horrible on gas if the foot is kept out of it. If you have more questions you can get them answered at regalgs.org we are a good group over there and help anyone with about anything. if you head over there give me a shout if you have any questions I am in the middle of a motor swap and build as we speak on my white regal. hope you can get it running but whatever you decide MAKE SURE you get the aluminum framed lower intake gaskets. I have had 2 motors die on me and a buddy thanks to the craptastic plastic gaskets failing and dumping coolant in the crank case and spinning a rod bearing.