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95 SSEi Engine/ Trans Replacement

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 11:57 pm
by flatlander745
Ok, it's time for a motor....approaching 190k and oil pressure has been floating up and down the scale for months now. I was on the interstate a few weeks ago and oil pressure slipped to 25 psi on the gauge and would not come back up so I knew something was up, and I was right.
When came to a stop in town the gauge dropped like a rock into the red and I heard the bottom end starting to knock lightly, so I parked it and am now planning a full engine and trans swap.
Was this bearings or oil pump? I know the oil pump is unheard of here, but ZZP sells a rebuild??
I am trying to find a motor and trans under 100k and had a few questions.
As far as the motor goes I am planning on swapping my new pulleys, exhaust manifolds and other newer odds and ends. What would I want to replace on the motor at that kind of mileage before installation? I was thinking water pump, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket etc. Would I want to do an oil volume kit from ZZP? I was also wondering about oil pump/ timing chain, like just do whatever i can while it is easy? I will be driving the car daily for a few more years and want to address anything possible now. I never had any intake gasket leaks or anything else really go wrong with the original motor.
Same question with transmission...shift kit? Transgo, Sonnax Sure Cure (Kinda expensive with reamer and all)?
Should I do TCC solenoid or any shift solenoids? The original trans never failed me but was showing signs of age and I don't know if it is all original miles or if had been done somewhere along the way.
Any info would be great, thanks!

Re: 95 SSEi Engine/ Trans Replacement

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:46 am
by MattStrike
As for your old motor, I'd bet rod bearings

At 100k, might be a good idea to change the timing change and damper, the supercharger oil, in addition to what you have above. I don't know if the oil volume kit works with the series 1, but if it did I would use it. For the trans, the adjustable modulator works good as a shift kit. I wouldn't mess with anything else unless the fluid was never changed; if that were the case I'd be tearing it down to get all new seals and clutch plates (and inspecting everything else).

If you can find a drivetrain with only 100k... If not IMO you're better off with getting your engine/trans rebuilt.

Re: 95 SSEi Engine/ Trans Replacement

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:15 pm
by flatlander745
Yea I was in there a few months ago for an oil pan gasket and there was plenty of slop in the timing chain and rod caps had some good side to side movement (190k). I found a matching set at a yard with under 70k but obviously no idea of engine or trans history. I wasn't sure if there was too much that needed to be addressed on the motor at that mileage. I was thinking water pump, sc oil like you said and oil pan/vc gaskets.
As far as the trans goes thought maybe good to address tcc/ lock-up stuff early before it went in the car.