3.6 For Sale

Doug Zielke · 01-26-2002, 03:46 PM

I just returned from a field trip, looking at a 3.6 motor a local guy has up for sale. It came from a 91 C4 that took a very bad hit from a head-on crash.

While I have no interest in replacing my perfectly excellent 3.0 with it, I may buy it as a contingency against future and unforseen mechanical disaster.

All the bits are there. Has an expensive Ruf sport exhaust system. Approx 82,000 kms when it was pulled. It runs. Is priced at $7500.00 CDN or a bit less.

The price seems cheap, maybe too cheap. But I could afford to buy it, and put it away for the time being.

Got my thinking cap on.....

pwd72s · 01-26-2002, 03:51 PM

$7,500 Canadian? How much is that in US buks?

Doug Zielke · 01-26-2002, 03:56 PM

Around 4k USD, according to Mrs. Z (who's a banker).

pwd72s · 01-26-2002, 04:11 PM

Hmmmm. That IS a good price. And it would make any SCWDP car turn into a beast! I saw an SC in Rothsport running a 3.6...also had a front valance oil cooler & turbo brakes. According to the shop owner, those should not be considered options for anyone contemplating the swap. With that much go, you'd need the cool and the whoa! I was told it was a pretty easy swap, fitment wise...only had to beat the rear shelf upward a bit to get things to clear.

MRM · 01-26-2002, 04:23 PM

Doug, that's a steal if it's a good engine. At that price, if it checks out, it's a deal you can't pass up.

Doug Zielke · 04:57 PM

I have one (for now, anyway) concern....
The motor appears to be *quite* leaky. The seller was honest when he told me it has the dreaded "leaky cylinder base" problem. From what I've read here, and also, after a quick chat with a pro-wrench I trust, I gather this can be expensive to fix.

As I don't have any immediate plans for the motor, I was thinking of making a 'hobby' out of it, by that I mean rebuilding it as time and funds allow. 2 or 3 years should be about right, given my methodical nature.

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

'91 964 3.6L engine, leaky = $$$$$

You can probably find better ways to spend your money, Doug.
Just must .02 cents,

Randy Wells

RoninLB · 01-26-2002, 06:43 PM

I think[some times] that the few $$ you save to get it correct will be minor compared to the whole package price, suspension, brakes, etc, etc.

scca_ita · 01-26-2002, 06:56 PM

There is a doctor down the street from me with a 91 C2 motor in his SC. It leaks bad. He is on vacation right now and everyday I drive by his car and see two oil spots just getting bigger. They are about six inches round after a week.

Stay away from this unless you plan on rebuilding with a 3.8L conversion. That is what I have been told.

I would give him $3000 usd. That would be a good deal.

Jack Olsen · 01-26-2002, 07:53 PM

Yeah, Doug, for a 3.8 conversion, it might be worthwhile, but the 3.8 part of the deal is expensive.

If you decide not to buy it, could you email me with the information? Crazy as it might be, I've also thought about a 3.6-based side-project.

Doug Zielke · 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RoninLB
I think[some times] that the few $$ you save to get it correct will be minor compared to the whole package price, suspension, brakes, etc, etc

As he usually does, Ron makes good sense here.
Though I stated I have no immediate plans for putting the motor in the Blue Bomber, I can well imagine how it could turn into a costly project.

Yes it's leaky. But it wouldn't leak very much, harmlessly bolted to an engine stand in my workshop. Leland's and Superman's rebuilding sagas have got me wanting to do the same. Just not on my 3.0!

And what the heck, Waynes rebuilding handbook is just around the corner. Do I hear opportunity knocking, or is that just a bad bearing?

Jack Olsen · 01-27-2002, 12:52 PM

A simple rebuild will not fix the leakage problem. I believe the pistons and cylinders need to be replaced, in addition to a fair amount of machine work.