The Oldsmobile Connection

Ian Szgatti · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 8

I know I'm not talking about carbed small blocks or anything that can produce any good power, but my rebuilding question is about the Olds 3300. I have this engine with a little over 175,00 miles on it that I think could use some freshening.
It's a real strong clean motor, but I think it needs to be bored, resleeved, and touched up on the heads. I'm just wondering if anybody has ever taken engine components in for rebuilding purposes from either the 3300 or the 3.8/3800 series and what the cost was.

88 Coupe · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: engine rebuilding

Ian Szgatti wrote: I know I'm not talking about carbed small blocks or anything that can produce any good power ........
If you are talking a simple rebuild, I would think this thread should be in the "Maintenance" Forum. If you are thinking of adding more power, you are in the right place.

Broken down to its basic form, you are talking about an "air pump" and as such, it is no different than any other Olds engine.

Quote: ........ I have this engine with a little over 175,00 miles on it that I think could use some freshening. It's a real strong clean motor, but I think it needs to be bored, resleeved, and touched up on the heads ........
Resleeved?

Why do you think it needs work?

Quote: ........ I'm just wondering if anybody has ever taken engine components in for rebuilding purposes from either the 3300 or the 3.8/3800 series ........
Turbocharged400sbc, has far more actual experience with 3800 Series Buicks, than anyone else on TOC, that I know about.

http://www.oldsconnection.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=886

http://www.oldsconnection.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1318

Quote: ........ and what the cost was.
Your local machine shop can give you prices on all the parts and services they provide. Your actual cost would be determined by the parts and services that were actually provided.

If your 3300 heads needed to be resurfaced, the machine used and the operation performed would be identical on 455 Olds heads. The cost would also be the same.

Likewise, the per cylinder cost of a cleanup bore would be the same for any engine, 1X. 6X for your 3300, and 8X for a 455 Olds.

Labor charges will vary from shop to shop, area to area, and region to region.

Regards, Norm

Ian Szgatti · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 8

I figured resleeved because if I had it bored 30 over or something I'd need to have different pistons... my pistons might be alright, but for the rings.
I just went down to my local machine shop the other day since I finally had time off and they were closed...

andrewk · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1246 Location: Ames, IA

Ian Szgatti wrote: I figured resleeved because if I had it bored 30 over or something I'd need to have different pistons... my pistons might be alright, but for the rings.
I just went down to my local machine shop the other day since I finally had time off and they were closed...

Cost of new pistons will offset the cost of resleeving, IMO.

A cylinder leakdown/compression test should tell you if you are in need of such work.

As the saying goes, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.

88 Coupe · Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: engine rebuilding

Ian Szgatti wrote: I figured resleeved because if I had it bored 30 over or something I'd need to have different pistons...........
Sleeves are cheap. The labor costs involved are anything but. Not practical unless one is dealing with a rare block that cannot, easily, be replaced.

Resleeve, by definition, would only apply if your block has sleeves already. I seriously doubt yours does.

If your 3300 only needed a .005" cleanup, you would still need replacement pistons. Anything more than that cleanup would be unnecessary, and the extra labor would be charged at an hourly rate.

andrewk wrote: ........ A cylinder leakdown/compression test should tell you if you are in need of such work ........
And should be done by the shop that does your regular maintenance.

andrewk wrote: ........ As the saying goes, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
Words to live by.

Regards, Norm

Ian Szgatti · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 8

thanks... very good points. I work in a shop and i've done a compression test, but no leak-down. Unfortunately I didnt keep the throttle full open when turning over the motor- and was told this could have made my compression appear lower.
the cylinders had anywhere from 95 to 115. I didnt put a little oil in each cylinder and retest either... I couldnt tie up the bay too long. It did satisfy my curiosity though.
it turns out my dad took in a tractor fuel pump to have it rebuilt at the same shop im going to, and it costed him 1400 or so... if thats any idication, it seems like its going to be... not very practical. Thing is though, I love this car. I have got it to almost 300,000 kilometers, and I want to be one of those people that throws over a half million on the clock.
im not even 100% on how long it will go without any major work. As it runs now, I'd say 350 to 400 thou. I change my oil every 3500 kilometers, and I've always flushed everytime. I dont let my plugs get dirty or too worn, and i freshen the o2 sensor every 30 thou... we'll see... i'll tell you's what I find out. As far as I know... I'm already dealing with a very solid and reliable motor. I just want that pep back, and that piece of mind... I only paid 500 bucks for this car quite a while ago... I laugh at the people who's buckets break down and they end up paying hundreds a month for years for a cavalier.

88 Coupe · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:59 pm Post subject: Re: engine rebuilding

Ian Szgatti wrote: ........ Unfortunately I didnt keep the throttle full open when turning over the motor .......
If you didn't do it right, you didn't do it.

Ian Szgatti wrote: ........ im not even 100% on how long it will go without any major work. As it runs now, I'd say 350 to 400 thou ........
Only one way to find out. If it don't leak, don't smoke, and hits on all of its cylinders, It don't need fixin.

Ian Szgatti wrote: ........ I laugh at the people who's buckets break down and they end up paying hundreds a month for years for a cavalier.
I laugh at a lot of people.

Norm

Ian Szgatti · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 8

I like the idea there about.. "if it don't smoke or leak don't fix it"

Makes sense. Actually, I was concidering that maybe the reduced compression will translate into extended engine life, concidering there isn't a lot of pressure to say blow out gaskets or something. Obviously, reduced compression means less power, less fuel economy, and possibly increased carbon build up as well... but I maintain it enough to keep it clean, and I can live with the economy... it's not that bad.

88 Coupe · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject: Re: engine rebuilding

Ian Szgatti wrote: ........ Actually, I was considering that maybe the reduced compression will translate into extended engine life ........
Would you consider an unneeded heart transplant at age 30, in order to prolong your own life?

Quote: ........ there isn't a lot of pressure to say blow out gaskets ........
Not possible to build that much pressure in a running engine.

Quote: ........ Obviously, reduced compression means less power, less fuel economy ........
OK, no compression means no power, no fuel economy.

There is a point where compression becomes an issue. When you reach it, you will recognize it without our help.

Quote: ........ and possibly increased carbon build up as well ........
Totally unrelated issue.

Quote: ........ I maintain it enough to keep it clean, and I can live with the economy... it's not that bad.
Proper maintenance should be your only concern.

Relax, and enjoy your ride.

Norm