NON Fiero related Question. what year/ make car can I find a 3.8 Buick with RWD trans ( with a distributor), and preferably no Computer ?? done many 3800SC fieros, but now I've got 2 sunbeam alpines that I think a 3.8 would be perfect for.. any help ? Thank You

Wikipedia has a page on the 3.8 L buick six.......Appears to have been produced from 1962 thru the late 80s in carbureted form...I don't know about the bellhouse tho.....

Here is a link to the wiki page; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V6_engine

If the 3800 does not work out, there is a lot of support for the Ford 260/289 engine in Sunbeams.

The RWD carbureted 3.8 was the base engine for GM midsize cars like the Cutlass, Grand Prix & Regal and others through the mid 80's. In fuel injected form, ultimately, the Grand National turbo engine. The 3.8 RWD uses the BOP bellhousing bolt pattern. Being the basis for the GN turbo engine, there are a lot of performance parts out there still to this day; TA Performance a major supplier.

http://www.taperformance.com

They are a little finicky in their oiling design but this is known and ultimately a non issue with the right parts.

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1965 Tempest 400 CID
2018 Chevy Colorado Z71 3.6
2017 BMW X3 3.0 T
2015 BMW 535iX M Sport
2008 G6 GT "Street" Coupe
2005 Buick 3.6 Rendezvous

The earlier 3.8 (or 231ci) was an oddfire motor due to its coming from the Buick 300 with 2 cylinders lopped off. I'd go with the later Rover aluminum V8 version.

quote Originally posted by sspeedstreet: The earlier 3.8 (or 231ci) was an oddfire motor due to its coming from the Buick 300 with 2 cylinders lopped off. I'd go with the later Rover aluminum V8 version.

Yes, prior to ~ 1978, the '78 and up 231 was even fire. Still not as smooth as a V8 though. I was going to swap a FI FWD version of the 231 into my 86 Fiero years ago.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/107335.html

BR's,

Mark

I may be wrong, but what I had seen in the past there was a way to get the Buick 4.1 4bbl intake to work on the Pre Series units and some Series 1 heads. The Pre units and Series 1 had updated oil pump in the timing cover. However the cylinder centers were offset like the older blocks. The early 3.0 from about 1985 to 88. pre series 3800 from about 1987 to 90,91 and the Series 1 1992 to 1995.
If so that would make some more options for transmissions. Gm had a lot transmissions with removable bell housing and "metric" design.

Do a Series II rwd from an F-body and EFI. It has the smaller Metric Bellhousing you will need so it fits. Auto or MT. It is the way to go.

I would do the "later series" 2-3 but I WANT a Real Dist and Carb and NO "Computer". a 289/302 May be a contender, been done alot. Right now there is NO Engine or trans,(or floor) so the" choices" are Open.