A lot to think about. Crate engine is peace of mind and has the warranty. I couldn't tow her home after I got her to work so I drove it home and kept pulling over to put more Lucas oil and motor oil about every 20 minutes. She made it home sounding not much worse than she already did. 1 hour trip home.

 

Every time I stopped there was about 1/3 of a quart of oil on the pavement by the time I left. Dead center behind the engine near the transmission. I'm guessing it's the rear main.

 

Sounds like the rear main, but they don't usually fail suddenly and catastrophically like that. I wonder if maybe the cam plug came out or something?

 

It got super cold here the last few days. Like 6 and lower. Some one said extreme cold can take a leaky gasket and make it significantly worse.

 

That could be. Thankfully, I have limited experience with those temperatures.

 

Sounds like the bottom end of the motor is wiped out. If you're considering rebuilding the 2.8. I'd stroke it to 3.1 with a newer crankshaft. The 3.1 crank from a mini van is stronger than one from a passenger car. There are casting numbers to tell them apart. You'll need the flex plate with it because in 1987 GM went to neutral balance crankshafts on the 60 degree v 6s. The flex plate on your 84 has a counterbalance weight welded on it. I'll have happy fiero flashbacks the rest of the day!

 

Another idea....
the 3.4 can directly replace the 2.8 correct? If I was to buy a remanufacturered 3.4 long block, would all the old 2.8 stuff bolt right up to the 3.4? Like the intake manifold, starter, water pump, etc etd???

 

And will I be able to keep her carburetored using my old intake and carb off my 2.8???

 

According to these guys it looks like I can!! 2.8 carb to 3.4 carb - S-10 Forum

 

But it's an additional 400 bucks to go from getting the remanned 2.8 to the remanned 3.4 thru advance auto. But it's a more than 50hp increase.... hmm