I found this site while looking up my question regarding the 3800 series 2 engines. Let me start off by warning you that I have little no to no knowledge about cars. I'm also not mechanically inclined. I was told my 1999 Firebird had a cracked head (Milky oil) and has sat in my driveway for about four months with coolant and water in the block. I'm guessing that has ruined the engine. I'm looking for a cheap replacement engine and I found one near me on craigslist. It’s in a 2001 Buick Regal and has like 75000 miles on it. Will this drop into my car? I'm assuming that not all 3800 series 2 engines are the same. Again I'm not mechanically inclined so don’t make laugh at me too much if I’m wrong. Thanks -Derek

I believe the block is a little different, mainly in the way the starter bolts up. Also, the milky oil is usually the fault of the intake manifold gaskets failing. It takes a lot to cause heads to crack or head gaskets to fail, but with coolant in the oil for 4 months, sitting, consider the engine a write off.

I would prefer an expert to confirm the exact differences when it comes to the engines, but the coolant sitting in the oil alone has destroyed the engine. Even if you got it cleaned out and running again, it is likely to be short lived. Bearings do not like bathing in coolant for a day, let alone 4 months.

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

I figured. I'm looking looking for a motor right now. Thanks for the help. -Derek

100% yes, it will work in your car.

You will need to swap over the F-body upper and lower intake manifolds, harmonic balancer, all the accessories, exhaust manifolds, oil pan/pick up, oil filter adapter, etc.

The block, heads, and front/rear timing covers are the same.

I've seen a few 3800 F-body people swap in L26 bottom ends.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

It will bolt up but you have to use the timing cover, exaust and some other odds and ends from the orignal motor. To avoid the same issues of getting coolant/water in the block change the lower intake manifold gaskets to the 2nd design. I think they are 75 bucks for a set but that comes with peice of mind that your engine shouldnt fail when you put it back together. The dexcool or any coolant for that matter gets in the block becasue the original gaskets crack and weather alowing coolant to pass into the block and ruin the bearings resulting in engine knock.

The only way to cure the knock is a rebuild or new/used motor. Also the easiest way to change the motor out is by dropping it, if you take it out through the top you may wanna do it the way I did and just disassmble as much of the motor as you can while its in the car and then take the block out. I got mine from another camaro so I was able to get some extra parts to include the cross member since mine was broke.