3.0 V6 ?

[Joe 1320]

I picked up an 88 Skylark cheap ($300) as a beater, my GN still isn't back together and my daily driver is down needing headgaskets. This is a black 2 door with a 3.0 V6. The car runs great, probably due to the low weight. Anyone know anything about this motor? It looks basically like the 3.8, but smaller and is transverse mounted. I'm just impressed with the acceleration for this little package and was wondering how durable these are. I call this the stealth bomber 'cause it is flat black with a grey interior that reminds me of the GN. It was previously hit in the right front, a few parts were replaced and the front spray can painted to match. It's not pretty.....but the air, radio, etc. work and the powertrain seems solid and gets me from point A to B just fine.

 

[Joe 1320]

Anyone?

 

[Little6pack]

Don't know about the 3.0 but I had a 92 olds ciera with a 3.3 in it & it screwed.. I got 181k plus out of it because someone paid me 1 k for it at 181k.. I saw the car for 1 more year so i assume it died well past 181k

 

[blackbuick87]

I used to know a guy with a Century T-Type, 86 I think, with a 3.0 that moved pretty good. I would say it went better than most 3.1's I have ridden in. Cant say much for longevity, since he moved to FL

 

[Tony sy2356]

Be carefull with a high mileage 3.0

They have the same problem the 3.8's do with timing chains.

Every 3.0 i've ever seen that lost it's timing gear teeth bent all the valves.

Just something to be aware of.

Tony

 

[Two Lane]

Joe,

The suggestion regarding the chain is critical, but otherwise with regular fluid changes/decent maintenance they are decent motors. Sometimes the valve train is a bit noisy, but a bottle of Lucas Oil Stabilizer will usually quiet it down nicely.

The primary component that can give probs on the car is the steering rack & axles. This is usually perceived early-on as the steering getting tighter, requiring more effort, as if the PS unit is going bad ( which it will ). Parts & labor to repair a bad rack might be more than you'd want to invest in the car.

Keep a watch on that process. Might be wise to sell it quick before it got pronounced, if you detect it early.

Otherwise, they are abused by many to the 200K mark & beyond!

Sounds like a stealthy "pair-of-shoes", as my Pop referred to a daily driver.

 

[Joe 1320]

Hmm..... occationally the steering gets hard on a left hand turn. Only intermittantly though. I'm going to drive the wheels off it, so to speak.