Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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HOMESERVICE MANUALSCHEVROLET2002MONTE CARLO V6-3.8L VIN KREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISSPECIFICATIONSMECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONSENGINECYLINDER BLOCK ASSEMBLYSYSTEM SPECIFICATIONSENGINE MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS
2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo V6-3.8L VIN K
Engine Mechanical Specifications
2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo V6-3.8L VIN KSECTION Engine Mechanical Specifications
| Engine Type | 90 degrees V-6 | |
| Displacement | 231 cu inch | |
| Liter (VIN) | 3.8L(K), (1) | |
| RPO | L36, L67 | |
| Bore | 3.8 inch | |
| Stroke | 3.4 inch | |
| Compression Ratio | 9.4:1 | |
| Lubrication System | Oil Capacity with Oil Filter Change | 4.5 quarts |
| Oil Capacity without Oil Filter Change | 4 quarts | |
| Oil Pressure - Operating Temperature (1850 RPM) Using 10W-30 Oil | 60 psi min | |
| Oil Filter Type | Throw Away Element and Can | |
| Gear Pocket Depth | 0.461 - 0.4625 inch | |
| Gear Pocket Diameter | 3.508 - 3.512 inch | |
| Inner Gear Tip Clearance | 0.006 inch | |
| Outer Wear Diameter Clearance | 0.008 - 0.015 inch | |
| End Clearance | 0.001 - 0.0035 inch | |
| Valve-to-Bore Clearance | 0.0015 - 0.003 inch | |
| Type of Lubrication | Main Bearings | Pressure |
| Connecting Rods | Pressure | |
| Piston Pins | Splash | |
| Balance Shaft - Front | Splash | |
| Balance Shaft Bushing - Rear | Pressure | |
| Camshaft Bearings | Pressure | |
| Timing Chain | Splash | |
| Cylinder Walls | Splash | |
| Oil Pump Type | Gerotor | |
| Oil Pressure Sending Unit | Electrical | |
| Oil Intake | Stationary | |
| Oil Filter System | Full Flow | |
| Cylinder Bore | Diameter | 3.8 inch |
| Out-Of-Round Maximum | 0.001 inch | |
| Taper | 0.001 inch | |
| Piston | Used Piston Clearance (41 mm from Top of Piston) | 0.0020 - 0.0036 inch |
| New Piston Clearance (41 mm from Top of Piston) | 0.0004 - 0.0020 inch | |
| Piston Ring Groove Depth | Top Compression | 0.158 - 0.163 inch |
| 2nd Compression | 0.0166 - 0.171 inch | |
| Oil Control | 0.150 - 0.155 inch | |
| Piston Ring End Gap | Top Compression | 0.010 - 0.018 inch |
| 2nd Compression | 0.023 - 0.033 inch | |
| Oil Control | 0.010 - 0.030 inch | |
| Piston Ring Side Clearance | Top Compression | 0.0013 - 0.0031 inch |
| 2nd Compression | 0.0013 - 0.0031 inch | |
| Oil Control | 0.0009 - 0.0079 inch | |
| Piston Ring Width | Top Compression | 0.0463 - 0.0471 inch |
| 2nd Compression | 0.0581 - 0.0589 inch | |
| Oil Control | 0.073 - 0.079 inch | |
| Piston Pin | Diameter | 0.8659 - 0.8661 inch |
| Clearance in Piston | 0.00008 - 0.00051 inch | |
| Fit-In-Rod (Clearance) | 0.0003 - 0.0009 inch | |
| Crankshaft | Main Journal Diameter-All | 2.4988 - 2.4998 inch |
| Rod Journal Diameter-All | 2.2487 - 2.2499 inch | |
| Main Journal Taper-Maximum | 0.00035 inch | |
| Rod Journal Taper-Maximum | 0.00035 inch | |
| Main Journal Out-of-Round-Maximum | 0.00025 inch | |
| Rod Journal Out-of-Round-Maximum | 0.00020 inch | |
| Main Bearing to Journal Clearance | 0.0007 - 0.0016 inch | |
| Main Bearing to Journal Clearance 2, 3 and 4 | 0.0009 - 0.0018 inch | |
| Rod Bearing Clearance | 0.0005 - 0.0026 inch | |
| Crankshaft End Play | 0.003-0.011 inch | |
| Connecting Rod | Rod Side Clearance | 0.004 - 0.0200 inch |
| Connecting Rod Large End Bore ID | 2.37378 - 2.3745 inch | |
| Camshaft | Journal Diameter | 1.8462 - 1.8448 inch |
| Bearing Inside Diameter 1 and 4 | 1.8428 - 1.8492 inch | |
| Bearing Inside Diameter 2 and 3 | 1.8481 - 1.8495 inch | |
| Bearing-to-Journal Clearance | 0.0016-0.0047 inch | |
| Intake Maximum Lobe Lift | 0.258 inch | |
| Exhaust Maximum Lobe Lift | 0.258 inch | |
| Balance Shaft | End Play | 0.0 - 0.0067 inch |
| Rear Journal Diameter | 1.4994 - 1.5002 inch | |
| Radial Play-Front, Bearing Clearance | 0.0 - 0.0010 inch | |
| Rear Bearing to Journal Clearance | 0.0005 - 0.0043 inch | |
| Drive Gear Lash | 0.002 - 0.0049 inch | |
| Bearing Bore Diameter-Front | 2.0462 - 2.0472 inch | |
| Bearing Bore Diameter-Rear, In Block | 1.8735 - 1.8745 inch | |
| Bearing Inside Diameter-Rear | 1.5007-1.5037 inch | |
| Valve System | Lifter | Hydraulic Roller |
| Rocker Arm Ratio | 1.66:1 | |
| Face Angle | 46 degrees | |
| Seat Angle | 45 degrees | |
| Minimum Margin | 0.025 inch | |
| Seat Runout-Maximum | 0.002 inch | |
| Seat Width-Intake | 0.060 - 0.080 inch | |
| Seat Width-Exhaust | 0.090 - 0.110 inch | |
| Stem Height-All | 1.93 - 1.975 inch | |
| Stem Clearance-Intake | 0.0012 - 0.0028 inch | |
| Stem Clearance-Exhaust | 0.0014 - 0.0029 inch | |
| Valve Spring | Free Length | 1.960 inch |
| Load-Closed | 75 lbs. @ 1.72 inch | |
| Load- Open | 228 lbs. @ 1.277 inch | |
| Installed Height | 1.690 - 1.750 inch | |
| Approximate Number of Active Coils | 4.48 | |
| Approximate Number of Total Coils | 6.60 | |
| Flywheel | Runout-Maximum | 0.015 inch |
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.