mchanic?

[Warborg]

IMO, you are better off buying a crate engine than attempting to repair that engine by bits and pieces. with a crate engine you get a warranty and if your mechanic is reputable he will stand behind his installation 100% and you will drive away happy.

I agree the cost may end up being the same with less time behind the create motor

 

[dmopar74]

Don't think I could trust a mechanic that told me the engine has a blown rod, what the hell is a blown rod anyways? I've seen thrown rods, but blown rod is a new one.

 

[Knowdafish]

Don't think I could trust a mechanic that told me the engine has a blown rod, what the hell is a blown rod anyways? I've seen thrown rods, but blown rod is a new one.

 

[Warborg]

Don't think I could trust a mechanic that told me the engine has a blown rod, what the hell is a blown rod anyways? I've seen thrown rods, but blown rod is a new one.

I've aways accepted the term "blown" rod as meaning it's broke/cracked/chipped/loose/ etc...

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

Did someone say something about blowing a Rod?...

-RamRod

 

[ryverrat]

Most of the 1998 Malibu had 3.1 Gen III - any 3.1 engine from 1997- 1999 should work . Easy way to tell which engine- look at top of engine- Quad 4 is a 2.4 (crappy engine) 3100 is 3.1 and 3400 (not common then) is 3.4. 3.1 was used in the following and would fit your Malibu

1994-1999 Buick Century
1994-1996 Buick Regal
1994-1996 Chevrolet Beretta
1994-1996 Chevrolet Corsica
1994-1999 Chevrolet Lumina
1997-1999 Chevrolet Malibu
1993-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1993 received both LH0 and L82 3.1 L motors)
1994-1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
1994-1998 Pontiac Grand Am
1994-1998 Buick Skylark
1994-1998 Oldsmobile Achieva
1995-1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Depending on how much the car is worth to to you you might want to consider a used engine in a car that old - best way would to get one you can here running in a vehicle before you buy (if possible). Used engine should be $400- 600 vs. $1000+ for a crate engine.