I own a 1983 Buick Regal station wagon. I got it for 400 dollars from a junk yard, rust free, and well taken care off. Motor didnt run, but I re-did some of the previous hacking and got it to run, but shes having a lot of problems (the oil had a lot of gas in it). Ive already replaced the front timing cover gaskets (the whole assembly), valve covers, rebuilt distributor and all the normal *tune up* parts. Honestly, ive sunken about 300 dollars into this motor and I cant stand it. Its a very under powered 3.8 2 barrel (non-turbo) and its a 4klbs car. Its so very hard to work on (inside of the car) and its full of wires and emission crap. Im thinking of just isntalling a 350sbc with 350 turbo trans. I wish I could get a buick v8 to keep with the *buick* car, but under circumstances I cant. Could anyone help me out or give me some suggestions? I know this isnt an old classic buick with a nail head or the big 455, but their seems to be nothing on buick cars, well theirs a lot of buick turbo sites, but they dont help much. Anything is appreciated. *see my car here* tchnohck.50megs.com
Car looks pretty clean I can see why you're saving it. Did you get the motor running good? Gas in the oil can be from a bad fuel pump.
Well The motor starts up on first try, but it wont idle on its own and it back fires at high rpms. The timing is set at 15 degress BTDC (as recommended in manual). The fuel pump has like a vent hole in the side of it and a oil/gas mixture squirts out of that when running, and when I drained a little bit of the oil, it was a light brown, very thin and smelled like gasoline. It was new oil too (valvoline 10 w30). Also, Antifreeze seems to drip badly from the back of the motor. Why? I dont know.... Yeah, the cars electrical accesories all work (defroster, headlights, etc) and it was repainted about 2 years ago (the color is 2-stage, base root beer w/metallic and the clear has a silver and red sparkle additive in it), its not rusty and has new shocks all the way around. I couldnt pass up on it for 400 bucks. My plan was to get it on the road and then drop a v8 in it, but im getting tired of this 3.8. What ya think? roy
Okay I was figuring that, but why would oil be coming out of the fuel pump? I have an idea, but Its hard to explain....
Re: Okay Oil from the engine is being "sucked" out' mixing with gas. Probably broken diaphram (sp?) in the pump. Nice looking car. I sold an 82 a few years ago that I wish I still had. Too bad the rust was getting to it Though.
Kool Thanks. Ill get a new one and see how it works. I was also thinking the motor is burning the gas/oil mixture and maybe thats why its not running right? Ill give it a try. Thanks a lot!!!!
thanks Yeah, I made the name up myself, pretty interesting. It scares some people, but its all good. Yes, I want to install a v8 so bad. Id love to go with a 454 but I might just go with a 350sbc cause its so cheap and easy to do. Just throwing around ideas now. The inspection sticker is soon gonna expire. This car was bought and drive by an older lady, she then passed it to her skater punk son (he has punk rock band and skateboard stickers on the back bumper) and he drove it. The car has 146k on it, but the motor was rebuilt and has 20k miles on it. I believe it cause the internals are CLEAN.... Its just that when he dropped the car off at the junk yard, the guys tore into it and ruined it. Look at my website to the before pics, they did so much more harm than good. The guy told me that the cam was broken, so i simply pulled off the valve cover, replaced battery and got a family member to turn over the key as I watched the valve train move, hmmmmm, broken cam? Yeah. It was just wiring/ignition. I could live with the 110hp under the hood, but I cant stand the cost of the 3.8 and how the motor was designed. Its impossible to work on in the car. I work on cars everyday of my life (autobody) and ive worked in some tight spots, but this car gives new meaning to *tight*. Ill try a new fuel pump (if it dont cost me an arm and leg) and see if that works, if not, shes getting a v8. Im not sinking anymore into it. Actually, i wanted the car about 3 months ago but I did not have the funds to purchase it. Then the junkyard actually shut down for a couple weeks and then it re-opened, to my surprise, the wagon was still for sale. The guy wanted 800 bucks but I told him over the phone I only had 500. He said, okay, can u bring it today? I said no, i want to look at it again before i make a decision. Well i went their, looked at it and said *if i came up here this week with 400 dollars cash, from my hand to yours, no questions asked, will you take it* he thought about it and i kep persuing him *thats it, my hand to yours, no questions asked* and he said yes. So friend and I picked it up, towed it to my house and ive had it about 1 week, got it running already. Im proud, its my first vehicle that I got running. wow their i am blabbering again.... thanks. roy
V8 swap There is a section on v8's in G bodies (which is what you have) called "Regals with extra cylinders" - that's where you should start if you want to do a swap. The guys on there can tell you everything you need to know. The 3.8 is a good engine. Same basic engine since the early 60's, they have been used in Grand Nationals, the supercharged Regal/Riviera/Pontiac GTP's, and are going to be in the new Monte Carlo SS. There is a guy running one in an NHRA EFI class, I have seen it go a 12.70 quarter mile at the local track test-n-tune, no turbo, supercharger, or nitrous. I don't know how you'll come up with any more room replacing the v6 with a v8, seems like your service problems would get worse. If you do put in a small block, at least make it a Buick 350 for Pete's sake! Welcome to the board, your car is cool!
Okay Ill have to check it out. Its not the engine Department is too small, its the way the motor was designed. Example, getting to the distributor hold down, almost impossible, the timing cover gasket, wow, what a pain. Im gonna try a fuel pump, if that dont work, im gonna get a v8. I just want it to run descent so i can get it past inspection. thanks for the props. roy
Welcome aboard to a fellow G-body Wagon! Looks like a great car to start on, has a sport wheel, no rust, and all the upgrades! The 455 swap is easy and makes incredible street machine in these things. Plus it's the only car that can go down the track pulling 12's...with a spare 455 & a months groceries in the back! A 455 Buick will definitely be easier than a SBC. First & foremost, your existing TH-350 transmission will fit up to a Buick 455 but not a chev. The th 350 will work with a stock to mild 455 buildup. Your wiring for distributor, starter, and carb will also be compatable, whereas the chev will require some cut & splice. All o fyou existing bracetry for alternator, power steering pump, and A/C will fit up. Drop by the Regals With Extra Cylinders forum and there's lots of good info on the swap.
