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Because I'm not able to get any information from the previous owner, how can I tell if the engine is original? Thx!

Newer 3100's have large port intakes. As for the small port 3100's I have no idea. GM put them in many cars, so casting numbers would not be much help.
Your 95 throttle body will not have coolant lines attached to it. If it does then the TB could be from another year or it could be that the engine was changed.

Big port intakes have "3100" only, small ports have SFI 3100 (or is it 3100 SFI?).

Small port is 3100SFI.

I doubt a large port engine was put in there, because then the original owner would have had to install an ERG adapter or bypass it and have an SES light... but regarding basic checking, there isn't much you can really go off of.

Whats the need to know if its original or not? just want to know possible condition vs mileage listed on the car?

95 had black plastic valve covers for one, also 95 may not have had the TB coolant tubes... IIRC it was only OBDII cars that had that option, I know my original 95 did not. Next would be just to inspect all the engine mount bolts and see if anything looks like it's been on and off a few times.

I forgot about the black ABS valve covers. I put metal ones on from a older engine. Damn ABS ones cracked. No coolant lines on a 95 TB for sure, my car didn't have them.

Yeah the big port is a long shot, but hey, some people put a 3400's in these cars(lol).

3X00-Modified wrote:Small port is 3100SFI.

Whats the need to know if its original or not? just want to know possible condition vs mileage listed on the car?

Yeah, I just don't have much confident to driving this 20k miles car. Here is a photo of the engine. Is it a small port engine?

It's a small port for sure... but what do you mean you dont have confidence? I'm confused on that statement... Your not confident in driving it 20k? or you dont think it only has 20k on it?

3X00-Modified wrote:It's a small port for sure... but what do you mean you dont have confidence? I'm confused on that statement... Your not confident in driving it 20k? or you dont think it only has 20k on it?

sorry for my typo. the car has 200k miles. also found a little oil leaking too.

Then why did you buy it, unless you plan on doing a swap and the body is in remarkable condition.

Asylum wrote:Then why did you buy it, unless you plan on doing a swap and the body is in remarkable condition.

Yeah both the body and price are good.
Now I need to bring it back home from the auction site. Is it easy to mound a tow bar on the front?

Red paint on the throttle cable?
Just so you know that thing is way over due for a timing chain. No mounting a tow bar will not be easy. Most use a trailer.

Money pit Beretta wrote:Red paint on the throttle cable?
Just so you know that thing is way over due for a timing chain. No mounting a tow bar will not be easy. Most use a trailer.

What do you mean red paint on the throttle cable? Does the timing chain need to be replaced? I have not paid it yet but I would loss $100 deposit if I don't get it. Is this car worth $450?
Here is a larger photo.
[img]img823.imageshack.us/img823/7214/00000001py.jpg[/img]

Don't even think of a tow bar on that car!!! JUST DON'T!
Trailer or at least a dolly tow truck!
Not sure about the timing chain issue. Likely a good idea but at 200K a motor swap is probably a better idea.
If you bought it for a great body and the price was right, great! If you bought it otherwise and have these concerns now,,WHY???

Logic, it's always logic with you. It's nice to have you back.

Engine swap for sure!

Asylum wrote:Don't even think of a tow bar on that car!!! JUST DON'T!
Trailer or at least a dolly tow truck!
Not sure about the timing chain issue. Likely a good idea but at 200K a motor swap is probably a better idea.
If you bought it for a great body and the price was right, great! If you bought it otherwise and have these concerns now,,WHY???

I gave up the tow bar idea and drove the car back this morning. The car needed a jump start, half qt of power steering oil and 6 qt of coolant. I don't see any leak of coolant. Don't see strange smoke either. Why does it need so much coolant?