OK, Buick 3800

daytripper · Aug 8, 2003

I got a Buick park avenue for $50.00 at an auction today. It has the 3800 distributorless engine, this engine is sweet it hauls that boat of a car like a freight train!! I want it in my XJ! I looked and the starter is bolted to the block, so My question is HOW DO I ADAPT IT TO A REAR WHEEL TRANNY????? What tranny, what adaptor, I have welders, saws, benders...... Thanks in advance!

1986xj · Aug 8, 2003

Last I heard I think Novak is working on making adapters to make the fwd engines work in rear wheel applications. I checked their website and didn't see anything mentioned though.... You might find that it is a pretty involved swap since in the fwd application many things are different than in the rwd set up, ie motor mounts, trans. bolt pattern, flexplate, starter, ect...
You can probably sell the car (unless it is really rough) and buy a good 3.8 out of a 80's regal and have some $$ left over to put towards buying the adapters to make it a bolt together deal.
Mike B.

daytripper · Aug 9, 2003

I figured it would be a hassle, but what a sweet engine....Ill have to think this one out, thanks

JJ13 · Aug 9, 2003

The older 231 buicks are capacle of putting out some serious horsepower. It would probably be an easier swap. No it would definetely be an easy swap.

JJ13 · Aug 9, 2003

The older 231 buicks are capacle of putting out some serious horsepower. It would probably be an easier swap. No it would definitely be an easier swap.

daytripper · Aug 9, 2003

Well we can scrap this plan, see my new thread. Thanks for all your input.

Rob - daytripper

JJ13 · Aug 9, 2003

that was odd, only posted once, I see the same ppost twice however ??? anyway it was capable not capacle*

Amund2 · Aug 9, 2003

Why don't you build a rockcrawler-something? I'm planning on using a fwd engine in the middle of the car, welding the diff and taking one driveshaft to the front axle, one to the rear. Extremely lightweight and space efficient, and you'll get the gearbox ratio x the diff ratio x the ratio in your axles. Almost for free.

daytripper · Aug 9, 2003

Ok, like I dont have enough unfinished projects lying around!! I'll leave that one to you.

Jeff 98XJ WI · Aug 12, 2003

There have been a few Jeeps built with the front wheel drive 3.8. I saw one in person once back in 88 in Colorado. I have a pic of it somewhere. Also, way back when, one of the mags did a writeup on this very swap. I think it was 4wd&su before the name change. It probably is a real hassle though. Jeff

mbryson · Aug 12, 2003

Why not build one with the RWD 3.8 available in late F-cars?.....200 hp

OK, Buick 3800

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