A 3800 Series II for my 1964? HELP

simmondj · #1 (**permalink**) 11-25-2006, 08:00 PM

Hi I'm new to the forum,

I here because of my increasing interest in the 3800 series II and III. I have been surfing this site and I have noticed some really helpful information and just a generally great bunch of people willing to help each other out.

I own a 1964 Pontiac Acadian, the Canadian version of the Chevy II. Lots of guys drop small blocks in these little cars and they haul some serious A$$. But the small block thing has been done to death and I want something different. I want a daily, reliable driver, somewhat economical, but that will have a bit of get up and go when you put your foot into it.

I would love to drop an L36, L37 or even an L32 if I could get my hands on a low milage cheap one. I notice there are a few guys here who want to convert their front wheel Pontiacs into rear wheel drives. I want to take a FWD 3800 Series II and convert it to a rear wheel drive.

I would love to see some photos of the following:

1) A successful conversion of a front wheel drive motor supercharged motor into a rwd.

2) A picture of a 3800 Series II from the oil pan up - I am curious to know how I can fit the motor in the rather bizarre steerage linkage of the Pontiac Acadian.

3) The motor mounts on the 3800 Series II.

Thanks alot in advance.

I may cut and paste this in the RWD section if that is okay.

Cheers

josephschwartz@hotmail.co · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 07:51 PM

It has what you need to get the project completed. complete engine and trans with computer would get you pretty far. Just need to make some customer mounts for the engine.

Js

GAGTP · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 01:10 AM

I'm wandering if there's anyway that you can post some more pics of your car. I never knew ther was such a thing. Looks good from what I can tell. I've always been a big fan of Chevy II's.

GonneVille · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 01:23 PM

The basic question of whether it can be made to fit is easy. The crankcase itself is narrower than the smallblock, IIRC, so no worries on frame-rail clearance.
The next question is headers clearance. At worst, you will have to have headers custom made for your car. NBD, you just need a flange from someone, and you can lay out the header yourself with any V6 kit on the market. I believe Hooker makes a good kit.

The throttle body is the big issue if you want to use a supercharged motor. It sticks out a fair ways towards the trans side of the motor.

nuclearxp · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 01:35 PM

I'm not really sure how much "conversion" is required? Intense dropped an L32 (that blew) and then an L67 directly into my car. Look around for some f-body parts... I can give you some really good websites.

What you'll probably need is a trans and motor mounts from a junkyard. I also know of a good site that sells a mean 4L60E rebuild kit.

n0dih · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 07:42 PM

If memory serves, the Chevy II's and Nova those years had a funky oil pan for the V8 cars, so you might end up with some custom oil pan for clearance. The 3800 L67 oil pan is pretty boxy. Probably grab a F-Body pan or an older Rear Drive H Body pan (those were odd ones too).