I have a supercharged series II 3800 out of 96 bonneville. I had traded a set of gt rims and tires for it awhile back.

My wife is planning on tearing it down this weekend, then rebuilding it in her spare time. She built all of her super comp rear engine dragster engines, her twin turbo 3000gt that she raced and was a Apache helicopter mechanic for 8 years. But we were wondering is there anything special about the bottom end of 3800's we need to know before she tears into it?

Thanks.

Seriously? Where did you find a wife like that?

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 05-03-2011).]

ya i second that is she hot to?

Pics or she ain't real

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Turbo 3800 E85 5spd spec5
11.53@126.7

lol @ you guys...
So about this wife of yours, does she have a twin sister?

hey and no random pics of some hot woman in a jump suit off the interwebs we check on these things you know.

Haha and not a single question was answered that day... I've got to admit I am jealous of you haha. I've never dated a women who's known anything about cars. Maybe that's why my relationships go south hahaha. I wish I had something I could tell you about the 3800 block but it sounds like you two are way more knowledgeable than me when it comes engines. Although I'm sure someone on here has to know it inside and out and will be glad to help you if they can get past the images in their heads of an attractive woman installing a camshaft and tightening head bolts haha

LOL - She's real. We've been together alittle over 11 years. In fact, April 9th was our 6 year wedding anniversary. She is pretty awesome.


Date night.


Jen's rear engine dragster at Kinston Motorsports.


Jen building one of her small blocks.


Jen doing fiberglass work on our Lambo kit. We finished it a couple years ago and sold it.

So now that we're estabished that we're real...lol. It there anything special about rebuilding the 3800, any special tools needed, etc???

quote Originally posted by TKDchamp: It there anything special about rebuilding the 3800, any special tools needed, etc???

Special tools needed: torque angle wrench/meter. Many of the bolts used on these engines are torque-to-yield, which means they are one-time-use only bolts. After you remove them, you'll need to replace them. I suggest you get a GM service manual for a 3800-powered car so you can get all the specs you need (you might be able to find this online).

Nothing is really special about these engines other than they have cross-bolted main bearing caps and balance shafts in them that ride above the camshaft. If you plan on removing the camshaft and balance shaft but will be reinstalling the balance shaft after the rebuild, make sure the timing marks line up (per service manual instructions).

3800's are not really different than any other engine. Just your typical GM EFI engine where they liked to use both metric and SAE threads in the same engine. So make sure you keep track of what bolts come out of where so you can make sure they get put back in the right place. There are a few bolt holes in the front of the engine that go all the way thru to a coolant passage or the oil galley, so make sure you use thread sealer on the bolts you use to plug those holes.

These engines are externally balanced. There are counter-weights on the flexplates/flywheels and harmonic balancers. The Supercharged versions of these engines had a different amount of external counter-balance than the non-supercharged engine. So you should not mix/match parts between the two versions of this engine unless you plan on having a full engine balance job done.

If you're pulling the pistons and reusing them, I would recommend setting up the piston ring end gaps with more clearance than they had stock. The stock ring gaps are pretty tight - to comply with emissions standards. Unfortunately this did not work too well for people who tried pushing a lot of boost or just happened to run lean. Opening up those ring gaps may help prevent untimely demise of your pistons' upper ring lands if something goes wrong.

I also recommend using stock replacement GM head gaskets. Over the years, I've heard of people having trouble with the fel-pro head gaskets not wanting to stay sealed in supercharged applications. I've never heard of anyone having trouble with the GM parts head gaskets. Be sure to check the GM TSB's as they have some fixes for some nagging leak issues these engines had (new design gaskets, use of RTV to seal the oil pan, etc). The rear main seal cover gasket likes to leak on these engines as well. I suggest replacing it and adding some anaerobic sealer to the side that doesn't have it. Use of loctite is also recommended.

-ryan

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OVERKILL IS UNDERRATED

Custom GM OBD1 & OBD2 Tuning | Engine Conversions & more | www.gmtuners.com

Thank you. That's a huge help.

I agree with Darth Fiero. Although they are alot different than a SBC, there's nothing too special about these engines. Unlike a SBC, the oil pump is in the front timing chain cover and there is no distributor. Use the metal framed lower intake gaskets upon reassembly, not the plastic frame. As Darth said, use silicone sealant on the oil pan gasket. Use new plastic coolant elbows, where needed (depending on how you plumb it, some guys do away with one or both of these crappy plastic elbows).

I like to at least inspect the rod, main, cam and balance shaft bearings when I open one up this far. If they show signs of wear, but the shaft is good, then just install new bearings. Lifters can be disassembled and cleaned out if they are heavily carboned, but most guys opt for new ones. Although the main and rod cap bolts are torque to yield, I have reused all of them many times on many different 3800's and have never had an issue...including my own cars (and I'm not talking about my unfinished 3800/fiero swap, I have two other 3800 powered cars that I've gone through the engines on & many other customer cars).

If you take the heads off, run a tap through the head bolt holes in the block and blow them out with compressed air. Many people overlook this very important step. Dirty, rusty, cruddy threads will throw the torque values way off when reassembling.

Check the supercharger coupler, they like to get sloppy and make a knock noise at idle (another plastic part). Check the push rod ends and recieving socket of the rockers, they like to get galled up when the oil is neglected or coolant mixes with the oil from bad lower intake gaskets.

I would recommend a compression test before you disassemble, this will tell you alot about the condition of the rings, pistons, cylinders, head gaskets and valves & seats. You can do this test with the engine out of the vehicle. Just need the starter and a good battery (and some cables).

Last tip I have, treat that woman right! About 90% of the members here would kill for a girl like that......wait, make that 91%.

On your way through it, if you have any questions, just ask. There are a lot of very knowledgable people here when it comes to the 3800 engine...supercharged or not.

You can not machine the crank, nor can you try to run an oversized bearing.

she looks kinda like billie piper lucky man you... from the 1st n 2nd seasons of dr who in 2005 for those that dont know who that is.

quote Originally posted by americasfuture2k: she looks kinda like billie piper lucky man you... from the 1st n 2nd seasons of dr who in 2005 for those that dont know who that is.

Ah, Rose. Love her! I don't really care for Donna and Martha is ok. Jennifer and I are re-watching the series now. We started with the 9th Doctor and tonight should see the end of the 10th. On the brightside, Rose is in some of these!

I know that was alittle off Fiero topic. Sorry. But thanks again to everyone that helped out. The engine is on the stand at the moment. Jennifer is picking up a starter on her way home from Crossfit. We'll do a compression in the morning. Then probably tear into it Saturday while our little boy is at the grandparents.

i just finished the 2nd season. im addicted to the series now.

There is alitte play in the supercharger pulley. Where is the best place to get a replacement coupler?

Just google "m90 supercharger coupler". There's a few places, ebay is one, there are vendors that sell it too like zzperformance.

[This message has been edited by 1fatcat (edited 05-13-2011).]

I found them for at rockauto for $9.62

But can she bake? Thats my dreamgirl, wrench, bake and atracttive in that order, at least for me.

quote Originally posted by hercimer01: I found them for at rockauto for $9.62 But can she bake? Thats my dreamgirl, wrench, bake and atracttive in that order, at least for me.

LOL. Yes she can bake. She's pretty awesome. She can cook, Apache helicopter mechanic, engine builder, Army's Rifle / Pistol team, Tae Kwon Do 3rd Degree black belt, Judo brown belt, plays drums, competes in power lifting events, loves Sci-fi, has custom ABS female Stormtrooper armor, drag races a hot pink rear engine dragster that runs 8.90's in the 1/4 and she's an awesome mom. Our little boy just turned four.