While you have it apart, I would do it. I understand that's a lot of money, but my luck they would go 10K later after the rebuild.
The Rebuild, Ch. 1 "Parts list"
- Thread starter TheBac
- Start date
Rockin the "Cav"-bah, baby!!!!!
This is what Im driving for the duration:
1991 Cavalier Z24. 3.1 liters of V6 goodness! Perfect 3rd car for emergencies.
Wife bought the car new in 91, we sold it in 99, then bought it back in 2002, and its sat in the shop for over 7years. Still in solid shape. Everything works (well..havent tested the AC yet)
Manual EVERYTHING! Hell, I've had PW/PL/etc for so long I forgot how to roll windows down (chuckling). NO airbags, antilock brakes, traction control...no frills we take for granted now. wow.
Fixed the hole in the rear 1/4 and the rust spots on the doors. Just spraybombed it to match. I found out my 10-y/o daughter Hannah is pretty damn good at bodywork...has her mother's eye.
Got the intake gaskets and a few other odds and ends fixed and it runs damn good. Still gets 25mpg!!!
Tires have slight flat spots, and am working to replace them. Eh....it sat in the same spot for that long..who am I to bitch? Previous owners put the ricer wheels on. When I replace the tires, I'd like to find a set of OEM Z24 wheels to use from a wrecking yard.
This car is sooooo small, though. I feel like Im in a go-cart its so low to the ground. Kole had been geeked about this being his car in two years when he learns to drive...that is, UNTIL we test drove it last Tuesday. Got up next to a semi, and we're even with the tires. He says to me, "Dad, this car is too small for me. I think I'll find a truck." :rofl:
So now that the Cav is done...on to the Duramax. Wish me luck.
This is what Im driving for the duration:
1991 Cavalier Z24. 3.1 liters of V6 goodness! Perfect 3rd car for emergencies.
Wife bought the car new in 91, we sold it in 99, then bought it back in 2002, and its sat in the shop for over 7years. Still in solid shape. Everything works (well..havent tested the AC yet)
Manual EVERYTHING! Hell, I've had PW/PL/etc for so long I forgot how to roll windows down (chuckling). NO airbags, antilock brakes, traction control...no frills we take for granted now. wow.
Fixed the hole in the rear 1/4 and the rust spots on the doors. Just spraybombed it to match. I found out my 10-y/o daughter Hannah is pretty damn good at bodywork...has her mother's eye.
Got the intake gaskets and a few other odds and ends fixed and it runs damn good. Still gets 25mpg!!!
Tires have slight flat spots, and am working to replace them. Eh....it sat in the same spot for that long..who am I to bitch? Previous owners put the ricer wheels on. When I replace the tires, I'd like to find a set of OEM Z24 wheels to use from a wrecking yard.
This car is sooooo small, though. I feel like Im in a go-cart its so low to the ground. Kole had been geeked about this being his car in two years when he learns to drive...that is, UNTIL we test drove it last Tuesday. Got up next to a semi, and we're even with the tires. He says to me, "Dad, this car is too small for me. I think I'll find a truck." :rofl:
So now that the Cav is done...on to the Duramax. Wish me luck.
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It scoots more than a little. It flat hauls ass. :rofl: I figured it out, with 140hp and roughly 2750lbs with driver, its got roughly the same power to weight that an LBZ CC/SB has. 
I actually like this car. I always thought Roni did good when she bought it (we were dating at the time).
I actually like this car. I always thought Roni did good when she bought it (we were dating at the time).
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It scoots more than a little. It flat hauls ass. :rofl: I figured it out, with 140hp and roughly 2750lbs with driver, its got roughly the same power to weight that an LBZ CC/SB has.
I actually like this car. I always thought Roni did good when she bought it (we were dating at the time).
Do I see some compact car racing coming on the 20th?
The cav vs the wifes tdi?
the wife has a pretty heavy right foot
I should know,
its hit me in the rear a few times
:rofl:
It has stock exhaust, and these Z24's had factory CAI.
James....I could see that happening. The kids already want to take it to the track in April. :rofl:
Thanks for playing along guys. If you havent figured it out by now, even though I want to get going on it, Im nervous as all hell about tearing my truck apart.
James....I could see that happening. The kids already want to take it to the track in April. :rofl:
Thanks for playing along guys. If you havent figured it out by now, even though I want to get going on it, Im nervous as all hell about tearing my truck apart.
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Park the truck for the next 5 years while working on making the car quicker :hello:
Like how the car is blue to. Almost like it was meant to be.
Tom start taking pics and taking parts off. Get boxs for the big stuff and zip locks for the little stuff. Once you get the motor out get some gallon zip lock bags and little ones. And take alot of pics of were ground wires went or ant other nut or wire goes with a bolt. It's not going to fix it's self lol
And when Henry says got zip lock bags he means a whole box or two. You will be surprise how many bags you will use when you start pulling parts off
Thats the plan. Bag everything I can. Good call on photos...I didnt think about all the ground leads.
I have a big piece of MDF and hole saws...the kids will be making me "parts holders" as I go, too.
Yeah. Im stalling.
I have a big piece of MDF and hole saws...the kids will be making me "parts holders" as I go, too.
Yeah. Im stalling.
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Don't make me come to Mi I hate the damn cold weather here in Mo already to make you work faster. Parts fly fast hehe were did that bolt go hell with it extra weight off truck.
Im not so fond of cold weather, either. We just went thru a nasty cold spell this past week. Supposed to start warming up this week. "Best laid plans...." and all.
PM sent, There are tons of guys and gals on here who have had their motors in and out. Ive had mine out three times and many have had theirs out more.
Its really not too hard to get the motor out and everything. Just take your time and keep a sharp mind. I like to keep a tight ship too, some dont, but it makes things a lot easier. And give yourself plenty of light.
It only takes a seasoned duramax engine extraction specialist a couple hours to get the things out if they're determined. I'M guessing this is your first time and youll find that youll have it out in less than a day too more than likely.
They really designed these things well, the motor comes out complete wires and everything, I really like that design, makes things a breeze.
Personally what I do when i get my motor out is quick take the flywheel/flexplate off then remove a few bolts that hold the rear housing on and then bolt THROUGH the rear housing into the block. Then remove the oil pans, turbo and such and then sometime later on remove it from the stand and remove the rear cover, then put it back on the stand bolting to the block. Its a lot easier to do it this way versus standing on your head under a cherry picker to remove the oil pans and such.
Make sure you have a sturdy stand, IIRC assembled weight is 1100lbs. My 1250lb rotating stand still scares me when i put my motor on it.
If you take your time and keep things very neat and clean, everything will turn out fine. You might have some issues when you first try running it (i always do) but theyre usually minor fixes. Trash bags will be your friend when you leave the shop for the night, bag up everything to keep it clean. As stated above get tons of boxes, tons of zip lock bags, a camera, some masking tape to label stuff and some sharpies. One little ground will mess everything up, and leave you scratching your heads (been there)
I was in your scenario this spring, no more than got the motor in the truck and the rods were bent a couple miles later.
BTW nice cavillac :thumb: but im pretty sure a TDI could beat it, those things rip.
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Thanks Vinny! Appreciate the help! Your DIY does make it sound easy...but now Im wondering if that 1250lb Sears stand I bought will hold the motor. ah well...Ive got 4x4s :rofl:
So those block bolts ARE M12s. I had asked that twice and nobody knew.
So those block bolts ARE M12s. I had asked that twice and nobody knew.
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Im about to rebuild my 2001 lb7 with 245000. Just starting to do the research on it and found this post to be very informative. To the gentelman that started this forum i am thinking on the same type of rebuild as you how much $ did all the material end up costing.
Welcome what parts of Maryland I use to live in Cecil County. If I can help let me know.
Henry