[turbohydramatic]

Hello! This is my first post here and I think this is the right place for it. My dad owns a 73 checker cab that currently has a 250 in it I believe. Unfortunately I believe he said that the head is cracked. I love the checker and I am glad they decided to use GM motors because they're what I'm most familiar with, but I never felt the Checkers Identity was dependent on its engine so much as other cars might be. I think the straight 6's are definitely sweet motors but I don't think it'll be crushing to see it go. If I remember correctly I read many cabbies wanted the V8 for reasons I can't remember. I want to say it may have been something about fuel economy but that sounds backwards to me but maybe I'm wrong. Either way my Dad likes the 3800 and I think its a super sweet engine too. I think it'd be the perfect fit for our checker with enough power to move it around but also being better on gas, plus I've heard nothing but glowing reviews about them in terms of longevity and repairability.

Middle of the 73 model year I can't remember if they switched to or away from the TH400 but that is what's in my dad's. From what I understand there is two different versions one being the Chevy and the other being the BOP. I would guess that the 250 is a Chevy make but I believe they used olds engines in the waning years of the A11 but I'm fairly sure that ours for 1973 would be the Chevy bolt pattern. So I was wondering what our options would be to hook up the existing TH400 to a Buick engine. Any information about what version of the 3800 we should look for if this does seem feasible would be awesome too! Any other insights are appreciated as well! Thank you so much!

 

[dezldave961]

As far as a slightly bigger engine getting better mileage, it's typically because the smaller ones are working harder to move a heavy vehicle they're under-sized to move. This happens a lot in modern crossover SUV's, when they stick a small 4cyl in there and send it, sometimes adding a turbo that's constantly having to spool up to get the required grunt.

As far as a 3800 adapting to a Chevy transmission, the simplest option would be this plate kit from Speedway Motors out here in Lincoln. I've been eyeballing one, in case I decided to do a project with something older than a 4L60e that has the V6 bolt pattern available (3800 shares the 60deg V6 bolt pattern).

GM 2.8/3.4 V6 TH350/2004R/700R4/4L60 Transmission Adapter Plate

Mates 60° Chevy V6 to Chevy Turbo 350 transmission. Approximately 1/8” thick. For TH350 transmission application.

www.speedwaymotors.com

 

[turbohydramatic]

Thanks so much for the info I'll check that part out!

 

[dezldave961]

No problem. A couple guys have done it with custom TH400 adapters on 800-1,000+hp 3800 drag cars, but it's nice to see random products like this out there for us to use in other ways.