3.8 v-6 i'm affraid it;s history

[johngreen]

my engine overheated while driving with no warning,it got hot enough to stall motor,which restarted after 10 mins.drove a block to where i let it cool 45mins.before adding water and driving 4 miles home,where it stalled as i pulled in driveway.next day checked radiator and it and it was empty...when i tried to start it it would not turn over...i rotated engine backwards by pulling belt,then tried starter and it turned over quickly then clunked to a stop..engine wont turn over unless i back up the rotation,the more i reverse it by pulling the belt the more it cranks over before stopping.can anyone give me any ideas as to what the problem might be,or any things i might try before calling the junk yard.thanks all

[Steve Moran]

If you have to reverse rotate your engine before it will turn over then you could have a pile of spare parts under your hood.
It could be a rod out or a head gasket (I lean mort toward the gasket.) but if you got it that hot twice it is very hard on piston rings to get that hot they loose there tension. Pop the radiator cap off and smell down the radiator. It should have a “sweet” antifreeze smell, if it smells a “sick burnt” smell then even if it is a head gasket it will be to late if you do the work your self then just for kicks then pull the heads and look before you pull the whole engine then have them checked at a shop to see if there is any hope of saving your engine.
Sorry to say if what I read is correct then you will more then likely need a different motor.
:(

[johngreen]

thanks steve,i'll let you know what i find after i pull off head..can the head casket be replaced without removing the motor?thanks again

[Steve Moran]

Yes the head gaskets can be changed with out removing the motor. You can possibly tell that if you pull the spark plugs out and look for traces of antifreeze.
BUT, (That is an awfull big butt) :eek:
Have the cylinder head checked at a machine shop for cracks and warping. Then if things look good check out the lower end as in cylinders for wear, cracks, or scuffing.

Cylinders should look good and clean all around no scrapes you can turn the crank back and forth a little and see if all the pistons move immediately as you turn.

Listen for any strange sounds, slight “Thunking” noise could mean a connecting rod bearing is warn out and if that is so then you will need the engine replaced or rebuilt.

P.S. An extra clean piston or antifreeze on top of a piston is a sign of a bad gasket and/or cracked head.