swappin a 3.8 from an 85 regal to an 81 regal

[regal1981]

sup fellas im tryna swap a very good running 3.8 v6 from an 85 regal to an 81. all the smog and all that stuff is all different between the two motors. the motor from the 85 runs very good and passes smog like nothing and my 81 had problems last time. my question is: should i swap the entire motor and trans and all wires and cpu from the 85 to the 81?? the motor from the 81 runs alright but when it goes long distances it makes a funny ticking noises and the oil/ choke light comes on when at idle. im not really sure what it is... a bearing, a lifter, if i drive it all around town stopping alot of places and starting up again it makes a real bad knocking sound. but its strange because it doesnt make any noises when it first starts up or anything. should i just swap the short/ long block form the 85 to the 81 and keep everything from the intake and up from the the 81?? any advise would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[fatso86]

i would take all the good stuff from the good running motor and put it in the car you want... use the computer in the car and if it do run right just swap them.. if that help any

 

[regal1981]

well im not exactly sure how its going to work because my 81 has guages (engine temp., voltage) and the 85 (donor car) just has dummy lights. im not sure how the computer will work. ive put in motors before into regals and took them out but never switched from an updated year to an older one. i was thinking it might be easier just to switch the long block and maybe take the smog pump off the 85. its because the 81 doesn't pass smog and i think a bearing or something is out or something because it makes a knocking/ticking noise when its driven long distances. also the 81 has a 350 transmission and 85 has a 200. which one should i use?? the 81 pulls hard if i step on the gas, but maybe it runs the engine too hard?? dont know what to do..

 

[Blake442]

Just switch the senders from your original motor to the new motor before you drop it in, and you're good to go.
Might even be a good time to replace them...

 

[81Regal]

its because the 81 doesn't pass smog and i think a bearing or something is out or something because it makes a knocking/ticking noise when its driven long distances.

The oil pump is getting worn out, GM put the pump inside the aluminum timing cover and it wears a groove in the housing where the steel gears ride. There is a repair kit to fix this issue.

 

[fatso86]

just put the computer in the other car if you want to use your cool gauges.. and the 350 is a much better transmission then the 200...the 350 its a much tougher transmission

 

[regal1981]

if i swap the entire motor from 85 im not sure it will work with the comp. from the 81 because all the smog hoses and rounting is a lil different. ive looked in my haynes manual and all the carb specs are different as well. thats why i think the entire motor from the 85 wont work with the 81 comp. the comp controls all that stuff.

 

[regal1981]

hoping pics will help.

 

[regal1981]

81 connections. Just to clarify the 81, is my baby but the engine isnt up to par. the 85 runs very well, i know because ive had five. not sure about all the wires because these main components are different... im kinda leaning towards just swapping the long block. just to save myself some headaches. but im not sure. please any help..... im gonna be starting this teardown in a couple weeks because i gotta finish doing other projects around the house.

 

[fatso86]

i would not use the smog stuff..A/C probably does not work lol i have ever seen one that works on a g- body.. unless you need the smog it in your area... just put the good motor in the other car and then you will have something to go by.... just stick it in there and then see what ur problems are... you will probably have to trade so parts but it can be done...