Peeeed

Well not even 3,000 miles ago, I had the heads and intake done on my 2001 Silhoutte. Last week experienced a somewhat loss in power going over the mountain to my house. I at first thought it was the converter stopped up. Same day, (Friday last week) heard odd noise coming from under the hood which was determined to be a lifter sticking (actually 2). Parked it and took to shop on Monday. I got the van back on Wed. Thursday morning, it died on me pulling into the baby sitters house. Went to leave to go to work and it would not start. Had to pump the gas pedal to get it started and once started it would not run worth aything. Oil Pressure alarm was going through the roof. So I killed it and left it. Just got word today from a mechanic that went to look at it, "Better start looking for another motor, bottom end is coming out of it". OMG in the last 3,000 miles I have already spent $1,000 bucks on it and now have to look for a another motor??? This thing is killing me..... I GIVE UP!!!!

I wonder what, exactly does that mean? Bottom end coming out of what where? Kinda of nebulous statement to be basing ditching the van over.

If you had the heads/intake repaired 3k miles ago, then you should be able to tell us how long you drove the van while it was overheating/leaking coolant. That can kill an engine real fast.
Find out what is really wrong with your engine. There is no bottom end to come out, whatever is meant by that comment. Bearings fail after gasket replacements often enough, or cam shaft snaps (due to bearing failure).
I don't know what your issue may be, but if you like the van and the body is good (no rust), buy a rebuilt engine (with a warranty) and have it installed.

I bet that means that lifter tap was really a rod knock...

Not many people know that the 3100-3400 generation of engines like the 3800 and Chevy 4300 will crap out gaskets... And if not looked for or paid attention to the end result will be the oil will become acidic and pit the bearings in the bottom end..

I have heard stories of people fixing these 3400's time and time again to only end up with a paper weight later down the road.. If you can catch it early on when it first starts to use coolant and fix it these engines can run to 300k easy...

The only problem with a 3400 is that they are in demand... In my area a cheap 3400 is $800-$1000 and thats with 100,000 miles on it...

Not sure how this will all play out for her, but even a reman 3400 is not cheap, then paying someone to install it isn't either..

I guess the real question is what is she going to decide to do?