GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 1997 🢒 Firebird 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 3.8L 🢒 Engine Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  2. Disconnect the positive battery cable.
  3. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  4. Relieve the fuel pressure.
  5. Remove the A/C compressor and condenser hose from the accumulator. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  6. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to SECTION 0A.
  7. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to SECTION 3E.
  8. Drain the coolant. Refer to SECTION 6B.
  9. Drain the engine oil.
  10. Remove the 3-way catalytic converter. Refer to SECTION 6F.
  11. Remove the front fascia lower deflectors. Refer to SECTION 10-5.
  12. Remove the stabilizer bar bushing bolts. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  13. Remove the radiator inlet hose from the radiator. Refer to SECTION 6B.
  14. For automatic transmissions:
    15. • Remove the transmission converter bolts. Refer to SECTION 7A.
    • Remove the transmission fluid oil cooler lines from the radiator. Refer to SECTION 7A.
    • Remove the transmission range selector lever cable from the transmission. Refer to SECTION 7A.
    • Remove the left and right transmission support brackets. Refer to SECTION 7A.
  15. For manual transmissions:
    16. • Remove the transmission control lever handle. Refer to SECTION 7B.
    • Remove the clutch actuator cylinder line from the actuator. Refer to SECTION 7B.
  16. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to SECTION 4A.
  17. Remove the torque arm from the transmission. Refer to SECTION 3B.
  18. Remove the steering gear coupling shaft from the rack and pinion. Refer to SECTION 3F.
  19. Remove the electrical ground strap from the engine block.
  20. Remove the starter motor. Refer to SECTION 6D2.
  21. Remove the A/C compressor and condenser hose from the compressor and from the condenser. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  22. Remove the battery negative cable from the rear compressor bracket mounting stud.
  23. Remove the engine coolant heater cord from the block.
  24. Lower the vehicle.
  25. Remove the A/C compressor and condenser hose from the vehicle.
  26. Remove the heater hoses from the drive belt tensioner. Refer to SECTION 1A.
  27. Remove the air cleaner outlet rear duct. Remove the resonator duct.
  28. Disconnect the fuel lines at the fuel rail.
  29. Disconnect the cruise control cable from the throttle body. Disconnect the accelerator control cable from the throttle body.
  30. Remove the radiator outlet hose from the thermostat housing. Refer to SECTION 6B.
  31. Remove the brake booster vacuum hose. Refer to SECTION 5D1.
  32. Remove the brake lines and the clips from the ABS hydraulic modulator. Refer to SECTION 5E1. For vehicles with traction control, refer to SECTION 5E2.
  33. Remove the right-hand body hinge pillar trim panel. Refer to SECTION 10-5.
  34. Remove the engine wiring harness connectors.
  35. Remove the forward lamp wiring harness connectors. Refer to SECTION 8B.
  36. Remove the powertrain control module (PCM) and the harness. Refer to PCM Replacement in Engine Controls.
  37. Place the PCM and the harness on top of the engine.
  38. Remove the engine wiring harness through the front of the dash.
  39. Place the harness on top of the engine.
  40. Disconnect the positive lead at the generator. Refer to SECTION 6D3.
  41. Remove the lower shock attachment nuts from the lower control arms. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  42. Remove the lower shock attachment bolts from the lower control arms. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  43. Remove the upper control arm ball stud from the steering knuckle. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  44. Use the upper control arm in order to secure the struts to the outboard.
  45. Remove the electrical connectors to the wheel speed sensors at the engine frame.
  46. Position the engine support table under the engine and frame.
  47. Remove the engine frame and transmission support bolts. Refer to SECTION 10-3.
  48. Raise the vehicle from the engine, the transmission and the engine frame.
  49. Remove the transmission.
  50. For manual transmissions, remove the clutch housing.
  51. For manual transmissions, remove the clutch.
  52. Remove the engine mount through bolts. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement .
  53. Remove the engine from the engine frame.

Installation Procedure
  1. Install the engine to the engine frame.
  2. Install the engine mount through bolts. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement .
  3. Install the transmission.
  4. Position the engine lift table. Lower the vehicle to the crossmember in order to install the engine, the transmission, and the engine frame.
  5. Install the engine frame and transmission support bolts.
  6. Remove the engine lift table.
  7. Install the electrical connectors to the wheel speed sensors.
  8. Install the upper control arm ball stud to the steering knuckle. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  9. Install the lower shock attachment bolts to the lower control arm. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  10. Install the lower shock attachment nuts to the lower control arm. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  11. Install the positive lead at the generator. Refer to SECTION 6D3.

    12. Important: When reinstalling the engine wiring harness through the front of the dash, the rubber grommet must be installed properly. Proper installment ensures correct sealing. Replace the grommet if the grommet is damaged.

  12. Install the engine wiring harness through the front of the dash.
  13. Install the powertrain control module (PCM). Install the PCM harness. Refer to PCM Replacement in Engine Controls.
  14. Install the forward lamp wiring harness connectors.
  15. Install the engine wiring harness connectors.
  16. Install the right-hand body hinge trim panel. Refer to SECTION 10-5.
  17. Install the brake lines and the clips to the ABS hydraulic modulator. Refer to SECTION 5E1. For vehicles with traction control, refer to SECTION 5E2.
  18. Install the brake booster vacuum hose. Refer to SECTION 5D1.
  19. Install the radiator outlet hose from the thermostat housing. Refer to SECTION 6B.
  20. Connect the cruise control cable to the throttle body. Connect the accelerator control cable to the throttle body.
  21. Connect the fuel lines at the fuel rail.
  22. Install the air cleaner outlet rear duct and the resonator duct.
  23. Install the heater hoses to the drive belt tensioner. Refer to SECTION 1A.
  24. Install the A/C compressor and condenser hose to the vehicle.
  25. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle suitably. Refer to SECTION 0A.
  26. Connect the engine coolant heater cord to the block. Refer to SECTION 9E.
  27. Connect the negative battery cable to the rear compressor bracket mounting stud.
  28. Install the A/C compressor and condenser hose to the compressor and to the condenser. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  29. Install the starter motor. Refer to SECTION 6D2.
  30. Install the electrical ground strap to the engine block.
  31. Install the steering gear coupling shaft to the rack and pinion. Refer to SECTION 3F.
  32. Install the power steering gear inlet and outlet hoses to the steering gear. Refer to SECTION 3B.
  33. Install the torque arm to the transmission. Refer to SECTION 3D.
  34. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to SECTION 4A.
  35. Connect the shift linkage to the transmission.
  36. Install the radiator inlet hose to the radiator. Refer to SECTION 6B.
  37. For manual transmissions:
    38. • Install the clutch actuator cylinder line from the actuator. Refer to SECTION 7B.
    • Install the transmission control lever handle. Refer to SECTION 7B.
  38. For automatic transmissions:
    39. • Install the left and right transmission support brackets. Refer to SECTION 7A.
    • Install the transmission range selector lever cable to the transmission. Refer to SECTION 7A.
    • Install the transmission fluid oil cooler lines to the radiator. Refer to SECTION 7A.
    • Install the transmission converter bolts. Refer to SECTION 7A.
  39. Install the stabilizer bar bushing bolts. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  40. Install the front fascia lower deflectors. Refer to SECTION 10-5.
  41. Install the 3-way catalytic converter. Refer to SECTION 6F.
  42. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to SECTION 3E.
  43. Lower the vehicle.
  44. Refill with engine oil.
  45. Refill with engine coolant. Refer to SECTION 6B.
  46. Connect the positive battery cable.
  47. Connect the negative battery cable.
  48. Bleed the brake system. Refer to SECTION 5E1. For vehicles with traction control, refer to SECTION 5E2.
  49. Charge the A/C system. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  50. Align the wheels. Refer to SECTION 3A.