Newbie with a z34

I just picked up a 1997 z34 with 75,000 miles at a real good price. I am about to do a T/belt on it (with rollers and tensioners and a serp.belt) I have know prior experince with this motor and it looks like a nightmare. I do really like the car though. It has a Muscle car feel to it. Any advice you guys might have would be real helpful. there is an oil leak comming from the front (maybe right bank? not real sure havent taken a good look yet) And a short in the ABS system that comes through the radio(when it's on AM) and you can hear the relay making noise at the same time. Other than that is pretty nice. 

welcome to the forum ....

Welcome to the forum

welcome and post pics soon

Yes welcome to the forum. HOPe to see pics soon! :)

 Welcome to the forums. there's a few of us z/34 guys kicking around. already sounds like you know more about the engine we're running then i do. :D
 
can't wait to see pics

Thanks for the warm welcome! I will post some pics as soon a I take some.
Glad you guys like the artwork I need all the pub. I can get!

Welcome to the group.  We just bought a `97 LS and love the car. Only 83 grand on it.  Lots of good stuff in these rooms so check `em out.

Hi Preston.  Great artwork!
A '97 with only 75,000 on it.  Nice find.
As couch already mentioned, we have a number of '95-'99 models lurking around here.  Chris (SCC24540) is another one.

Phoenix (David S.) is a guy you should hook up with.  He is a walking encyclopedia, especially wih the 5th gen.  Try sending him a PM with your questions:

z34phoenix

His Cardomain page is really informative too!! Z34Phoenix on Cardomain.

quote:

ORIGINAL: RAPTORZ34

I just picked up a 1997 z34 with 75,000 miles at a real good price. I am about to do a T/belt on it (with rollers and tensioners and a serp.belt) I have know prior experince with this motor and it looks like a nightmare. I do really like the car though. It has a Muscle car feel to it. Any advice you guys might have would be real helpful. there is an oil leak comming from the front (maybe right bank? not real sure havent taken a good look yet) And a short in the ABS system that comes through the radio(when it's on AM) and you can hear the relay making noise at the same time. Other than that is pretty nice. 

 
Welcome to MCF Preston!!  Sorry about the oil leak, but I hear these are common on this engine.  I beleive it is typically either a head gasket or lower intake gasket....  I'm pretty sure it is the lower intake.
 
Just look real close where the oil is or if dirty, use some engine gunk cleaner or a rag to clean it up a bit.  Then when the oil starts leaking again you will see it and know where the problem is.

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES!  I haven't been on the forum in a awhile (just moved) I still haven't got the t\belt fixed yet. Most price quotes are very high for a 3.4. I have some pics of My car but they are still in the camera. I have been driving the car  more in the winter than I would like to but it's so much better in the snow than my 98 civic. The stick on mouldings on the side are starting to come off, I did not deal with this yet (not sure if I want to stick them back on with double sidied tape or remove them all together.) Also I have been reading some of the other noobie posts on 3.4 engines. As far as the t/belt goes you don't want to go cheap with this repair. It is an interfearance motor and the timing is very hard to get right with the dual cams. If the belt does brake most likley it will cost you an engine. 

Welcome back Preston from Pa.  Hope you get your issues fixed soon, and can get some pics up for us to see. Always happy to have someone new around our MCF family.

quote:

ORIGINAL: RAPTORZ34

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES!  I haven't been on the forum in a awhile (just moved) I still haven't got the t\belt fixed yet. Most price quotes are very high for a 3.4. I have some pics of My car but they are still in the camera. I have been driving the car  more in the winter than I would like to but it's so much better in the snow than my 98 civic. The stick on mouldings on the side are starting to come off, I did not deal with this yet (not sure if I want to stick them back on with double sidied tape or remove them all together.) Also I have been reading some of the other noobie posts on 3.4 engines. As far as the t/belt goes you don't want to go cheap with this repair. It is an interfearance motor and the timing is very hard to get right with the dual cams. If the belt does brake most likley it will cost you an engine. 

There is a tool that aligns and holds the all cams in place to get the timing belt back in the right place.

http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Camshaft-Timing-Tool-Set--J-38613-A.HTML Maybe a little pricey but worth the cost vs trying to set any other way and big time cheaper than reworked heads, gouged pistons.

The proper GM procedure: http://chevrolet.justanswer.com/chevy/8up9-timing-marks-3-4-liter-chevy

It all looks harder than it really is. Intake gaskets and oil pump drive o rings are the main source of oil leaks then come head gaskets. As with ANY engine oil leak the weathered and deteriorated gaskets are the source of the leak but the majority of the time the ROOT CAUSE is a problem with the PCV system not functioning properly will point out the weak gaskets and seals for you.

Thanks Bilms! very helpful indeed.