3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

[ehennebury]

Ok,

So I acquired an old mid 80's Rinker that I discovered had a cracked block (after the fact). I had posted about it here before and the general (strong) consensus was to get rid of it and cut my losses. I'm terrible at letting go of junk though, and I can't help but wonder how difficult it might be to swap in a late model 3.8 automotive block. I doubt the intake manifold would fit (dizzy location is wrong) but couldn't I keep it fuel injected? Has anyone done this kind of swap before. Wouldn't the bell housing and exhaust manifolds bolt right up? Am I crazy?

I'd appreciate any comments or direction to information regarding such an undertaking.

Thanks in advance.
-Eric

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

I doubt the intake manifold would fit (dizzy location is wrong)

Please explain, or maybe link your previous thread about this boat, to this thread, to make finding the history easier...

My Guess is, if the distributer is on the wrong end of the motor, you're lookin' at the Wrong replacement motors...

 

[ehennebury]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

Sorry,

Here's the old post:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=360044

Now that I think about it, the late model 3.8's don't even have a conventional distributor... they use coil packs with electronic spark distribution. Just to clarify, I'm contemplating putting a late model (i.e. Pontiac Bonneville, Buick LeSabre or some such) engine in to swap out my cracked 3.8 OMC block.

Thanks,
-Eric

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

Ayuh,... We never established Which 3.8l motor you have,....
Where is it's Distributer,..??
And what Year is the barge,... Mid-80s ain't close enough...

I'm 99.99% Postive, the motors you're thinking about are Totally Different,+ in No way adaptable....

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

You also can't keep all that automotive ignition and fuel injection system either. First of all, the automotive EFI system uses O2 sensors in the DRY exhaust system. You will have water there, or at least you better have, which makes a cooling system will be totally different. I think you are going to find going to a newer Non marine engine is going to cost you a lot more than getting the proper engine.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

Early 80s 3.8 OMC = Chevy Block

Late 60s-early 70s 3.8 OMC = Buick Block...actually the blocks were supplied by Kaiser Jeep since they had purchased the engine from GM and used it for a period of time before GM bought it back.

 

[scipper77]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

Early 80s 3.8 OMC = Chevy Block

Late 60s-early 70s 3.8 OMC = Buick Block...actually the blocks were supplied by Kaiser Jeep since they had purchased the engine from GM and used it for a period of time before GM bought it back.

My '84 mercruiser 3.8 is the chevy block. Are you saying that Mercruiser and OMC used the same block for those years?? I think I remember the OMC 3.8 being a buick block.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

The later (81-85) OMC Stringer V6 motors were Chevy based. The 3.8L Chevy was part of the 90 degree Chevy V6 family...

It was only the earlier (68-72) OMC Stringers V6 motors that were "Buick" based. The blocks were actually supplied by Kaiser Jeep as they owned the motor and tooling at the time.


This is a thread that I went through and researched this on recently...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=367253

 

[ehennebury]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

The engine has 2 model numbers on the valve cover tag. One is 983487. The other is 382SPMRCOM. Not sure of the year of the boat. I think it's an '85, but I'd have to check the registration to be sure. From what I've read, it sounds like it's the Chevy. So... to find a block... Or for that matter to find a viable swap. Any ideas?

Thanks for the replies.
-Eric

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

If the engine has the distributor on the belhousing end you have a 3.8 (229 CI) Chevrolet built 90 degree V6. If the engine has the distributor up front, you have a Buick built 3.8 (231 CI) 90 degree V6. These two engines are worlds apart and there are no interchangable parts.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

The engine has 2 model numbers on the valve cover tag. One is 983487. The other is 382SPMRCOM. Not sure of the year of the boat. I think it's an '85, but I'd have to check the registration to be sure. From what I've read, it sounds like it's the Chevy. So... to find a block... Or for that matter to find a viable swap. Any ideas?

Thanks for the replies.
-Eric

Ayuh,...If you just answered the Questions posed to You,.... This Mystery would be Over,...

WHERE is the Distributer,..?? Front or Back of the Carb,..??

If it's Aft of the carb,... Drop in a 4.3l motor...

 

[ehennebury]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

Ayuh,...If you just answered the Questions posed to You,.... This Mystery would be Over,...

WHERE is the Distributer,..?? Front or Back of the Carb,..??

If it's Aft of the carb,... Drop in a 4.3l motor...

Sorry for being frustrating... After reading the thread indicated above, it would seem that my block is the Chevy 3.8 (dizzy is aft of the carb). So a 4.3l eh? I think there might be a couple of those kicking around... Any specific swap info on this?

Thanks again for the help.
-Eric

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

Ayuh,... I've never done it, But,...
I believe the 2 motors We're talking about are dimensionally identical, Externally....
And,... I'm sure Vintage may come into play...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

If you are talking about the 3.8 (229 Chevy) and 4.3 (262 Chevy) they are dimensionally the same. Not true with the 3.8 (231 Buick) however. No resemblance there!

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.8 cracked block Stringer (can't let it die)

If you are talking about the 3.8 (229 Chevy) and 4.3 (262 Chevy) they are dimensionally the same. Not true with the 3.8 (231 Buick) however. No resemblance there!

He finally answered that question just a couple of relies ago.

(dizzy is aft of the carb)