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[WGoins88]

So here is the deal with my Catera. I bought it a few months ago, needing some repairs. The oil cooler failed, and was actually caught after the previous owner replaced the radiator. He heard a pop from the open coolant pipe, and came the oil! Luckily it happened this way, and no coolant made it's way into the engine. I figure since I have to do this, I may as well pull the engine and do a few other things, but here are my questions pertaining to the removal.

1. Can the oil cooler be bypassed temporarily? I only have enough money to take care of everything else that I want to do. I heard that it should be fine if properly bypass and doesn't leak.

2.Where on earth can I get coolant bridge seals without buying a actual new bridge? Mine is fine and I don't need a new one.

3. Will the later MLS head gaskets work with the 97 engine? I was told that they would, but I have to use the later tightening specifications. Just need to confirm this!

I believe that is all I need to know for now.. if I remember more I will post it up. Thanks!

[Martin_1962]

It needs the cooler, about £100 from the UK brand new.

Coolant bridge washers - about £2 each from a dealer in the UK.

All V6s are basically the same.

I would suggest making a FULL list of parts required and ordering them from the UK

[WGoins88]

Yeah, that's what I was told by a few people, that it is best to order all my parts from the UK. Any recommended places to order the parts from? I tried searching before, but only came across those generic sites that have nothing you are looking for. I figured I would have to replace the oil cooler, I guess I will go ahead and do it anyways.

[Gaffers]

If you want help bringing parts over from the UK I am coming over to the US in a couple of weeks and can post it internally in the US postal system.  Should save you a bit of money  ;-)

[Marks DTM Calib]

Going by the standard GM Eurpoe engine coding, you have an X30XE which has a lowered compression ratio to standard.

[WGoins88]

Ahh, I see. Thanks for the info!

As for my other question, does anyone know if the later MLS HGs work on the earlier engines? I'm assuming if they do I just have to follow the later tightening specs.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Ahh, I see. Thanks for the info!

As for my other question, does anyone know if the later MLS HGs work on the earlier engines? I'm assuming if they do I just have to follow the later tightening specs.

No, different bore sizes on the 2.6/3.2.

[WGoins88]

Nah, I meant on the later Catera (I think 99+?) the 3.0 had multi layer steel head gaskets, and the earlier Catera (97-99?) ones had graphite ones. All I know from experience is that MLS gaskets are by far better than graphite ones.