Since the 3.8 V-6 timing chain cover is a direct replacement for the 350 V-8 tc cover, what about one of the newer covers that has the "gerotor" oil pump? Is that a decent pump, and would one retrofit to the V-8? Spent too long in the wrecking yard today... James
I'm assuming then that the rear-drive 3800's in late Camaros and Firebirds are a no-go then also? Rats...that looks like a nice pump setup, less problematic than the gear pumps. James
hey, what about the regular 3.8 rwd motors, are those timing covers usable for the 350 ? what other timing covers will fit the 350, reason being myne is broken
The 3800 in the '96 & newer F-bodies is a Series II - won't work. The RWD 3.8l's should work...I think the only 'hitch' would be whether it has a 14 or 20 bolt pan. The 'Vin 3' 3.8l's in FWD cars('86-early '88) 'may' work - don't know for sure. They are actually a RWD engine, mounted transversely.
The 3800 cover has been used on some of the high perf turbo motors. But you must cut both a 3.8 and a 3800 cover in half and weld them back up. Which is very hard to do but it can be done.
I just pulled a timing cover off a destroyed 1980 4.1 Buick V-6. I compared it to a 350 one I had laying around. Looks like a match, however, there is a slight difference. The distributor hold down is relocated to the pass side as opposed to the 350 driver side. I would guess that was done cause reaching the distributor bolt under the HEI and smog pump is a big pain. I also want to note that I pulled a timing cover off a 1985 Buick 3.8 once, and it would NOT work, as it has a different shape at the bottom where it meets the oil pan. Difference in bolts too, it had three at the bottom, the 350 has two. So my advice is that if you see a rear-drive V-6 car in a boneyard, feel under the cover for two or three bolts. A two bolt one outta do the trick. Good luck.
The 3.8L front cover with a different number of bolt holes can be drilled and tapped to adapt to your 350 pan. Been There, Done That.
OK, So some 3.8 and/or 4.1 front covers will fit a 350, but I'm not sure which ones have the new gerotor oil pump. Anybody know if any of the aforementioned 3.8 covers have the pump? (heh heh heh, I said aforementioned...)
Sorry, It took awhile to find someone who wanted it for free, but someone did PM me and its on the way to them. It was a Steel crank and it looked to me like it had the rolled filets. I'll keep you in mind if I ever come across another.
