3.6 timing chain

[cavell]

Found an 08 sport w/3.6 and 74k miles. Owners says it jumped time. I can get a “good” motor for $300. Should I redo timing chain on “new” motor? The kit costs more than $300. Or just redo the timing chain on existing motor? Is junkyard definition of good means it runs?

 

[cavell]

A 20 yr old rust free car w/74k miles is worth saving. Even though it has bad motor. And sketchy trans. If I just look at it and don’t drive it I don’t even have to fix it. Ha

 

[PoManNox]

I think only you are going to know the answer to this one. If you have the time and resources to do all the work yourself, the sky is the limit. I'd try to do some diag work on the "jumped time" 3.6 first. Pull the cam covers, pull the cam solenoids, cut open the oil filter and check for metal glitter. If it's a rust free vehicle and nothing is crumbling in your hands in the process, life is good.

Installing an unknown junk yard engine as-is, is always going to be risk. If a shop has to warranty it, that's one matter, they'll need to open it up. For a DIY'er, if you can tolerate the risk, go for it.

 

[cavell]

Working on this now. I got a used 3.4 last motor yr for $275 and it ran warm. So I had to do heads. Like I’m dong now on new rig. People seem to like the 07-09 3.4 equinoxes. I really prefer to not work on a 3.6. Due to ohc setup.