3.8 omc (chev)

WHITEINDIAN

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
30
hi everybody, i'm relatively new to this forum and am hoping that there is a wealth of information for a knucklehead like me. last spring i had bought an 82 oliver boat with a 3.8 omc set up. the power plant is a chev block so yayyy for me GO GM! hahah ok so got a good summer out of it and being the brainiac i am went to youtube to learn how winterize......... yup you guessed right. i did it wrong and now i have a big old crack in the block. my question is would a 3.8 block from an automotive application work? i mean it looks the same but i'm not very familiar with marine stuff. i was told 81-87 the 3.8 blocks were the same. i was really upset when i discovered my new to me toy was now a boat anchor. any and all info, advice and guidance would be much appreciated! thanks in advance!:blue:
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,095
Re: 3.8 omc (chev)

hi everybody, i'm relatively new to this forum and am hoping that there is a wealth of information for a knucklehead like me. last spring i had bought an 82 oliver boat with a 3.8 omc set up. the power plant is a chev block so yayyy for me GO GM! hahah ok so got a good summer out of it and being the brainiac i am went to youtube to learn how winterize......... yup you guessed right. i did it wrong and now i have a big old crack in the block. my question is would a 3.8 block from an automotive application work? i mean it looks the same but i'm not very familiar with marine stuff. i was told 81-87 the 3.8 blocks were the same. i was really upset when i discovered my new to me toy was now a boat anchor. any and all info, advice and guidance would be much appreciated! thanks in advance!:blue:

Ayuh,... That'll work, provided it's dressed in yer Marine accessories...
 

WHITEINDIAN

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
30
Re: 3.8 omc (chev)

Ayuh,... That'll work, provided it's dressed in yer Marine accessories...

so i should be able to put the marine accessories onto the auto block right? geez i hope so! even the engine is hard to find for a car!!! wonder if a 4.3 pre vortec would work......
 

Howard Sterndrive

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Messages
4,603
Re: 3.8 omc (chev)

1981-1984 Malibu, ElCamino, 1981 Camaro, Checker cabs -GM 5th VIN letter "K". They were a popular motor, but don't look in any trucks - they were never in trucks (except the ElCo) and nothing after 1984, forget that 1987 advice. Swap your cam over (or get an Edelbrock 2112) as the cam is the difference between 110HP and 170HP.
99% of 4.3's will not work and your exhaust manifolds won't clear the wide valve covers of any 4.3

wrong province, but cool- 4 barrel even. block could be cracked though.
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...motorboats-OMC-3-8-L-Motor-W0QQAdIdZ485666976
 
Top