3800 engine swaps

[zach82]

That's from BFest 2001, so no it is not current.  I'm sure he has more current pics though.

The guy who started this thread 'Yellow3800' is the one that car belongs to.

As far as pics and stuff, there have been pics of some of it, but it's been so long ago that the threads have probably been pruned.

Oh, and the search button is always good, you might be able to find more of what you're looking for if you dig a bit.

[spacecadetz26]

(zach82 @ Mar. 25 2006,00:33)Q
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EYep, man looking through all those pics brings back some memories.  Who could ever forget Jack's pile of junk at the strip, the 80mph trip down to the Mammoth Caves, or Gor's foil skirt? ÂÂÂ

Holy cow I didn't realize how fat I was back then until I saw those pics!  I think I weighed about 260 back then, I'm under 200 now.

Anyway, on topic... here's one of his engine


haha, my z is right next to it.  

[IsaacHayes]

Rex: heh, they way he put the whole cradle/subframe from the other car he has more clearance on the accessory belt side than I do with my stock 3100!!!

[rweatherford]

You don't change spark plugs where the accessory belt is......    

Anyway I'm sure he can do it, but some of the swaps look like a nightmare.

[nocutt]

Darn haven't seen that forever...

Conscious:Posted on: Mar. 23 2006+14:26-->(Conscious:Posted on: Mar. 23 2006 @ 14:26)Q
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Ok I am so confused now  

Who started the first 3800 swap into a beretta? or who has the oldest documented (sp) swap?

and I noticed another thing on this board, is it an unspoken work? there is this thing about "doing work by myself" why is that important?!? Nobody shoot the noobe, just a curious observer.

I believe that honors go to yours trully, I started the first documented swap...however lemonjuice precedes me I believe as the first beretta.net member...hope that makes sense  

For the other questions I plead the 5th...put it this way, "talk the talk, then walk the walk...BS just walks". You either have the $$$, the resources or the time and they do not for the most part stand independent of one another, this are the facts to life...

[IsaacHayes]

Rex: hah! But helps when you need to get a pulley tensioner tool in there to take off the belt. You can always rock the motor forward to get to the spark plugs by detaching motor mounts. That's how it's done on factory 3100's, the mount has a slider bolt to hold it forward for you even while you're back there!

I haven't seen some of the other swaps... Not sure I would want to!!! eeck! hehe.  

[spacecadetz26]

(IsaacHayes @ Apr. 02 2006,15:39)Q
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ERex: hah! But helps when you need to get a pulley tensioner tool in there to take off the belt. You can always rock the motor forward to get to the spark plugs by detaching motor mounts. That's how it's done on factory 3100's, the mount has a slider bolt to hold it forward for you even while you're back there!

I haven't seen some of the other swaps... Not sure I would want to!!! eeck! hehe. ÂÂÂ
I've never heard of that on a Beretta. Maybe on a W-body.

[IsaacHayes]

Seriously? I mean I overlooked it the first time I did my spark plugs. 2nd time I figured it out. I mean it makes it WAY easier!!! Take a look on your Z, you un-bolt the 2 bolts in the passenger fender, loosen the nut on the stud that is in the slider thing(which is part of the body), pull the motor forward, then tighten the nut and it holds it forward. When done just do reverse. I take a rubber mallet and bang on the mount to align the mount perfectly so you can get the fender bolts back in.

[rweatherford]

I just unbolt the bottom dog bone mount and rock the car back and forth.  When the engine rocks forward I set the emergency brake and lock the engine in the forward position.  Works like a charm.

I don't think you can do this trick with a 3800 mounted like Andy's.

[spacecadetz26]

i have never had problems changing spark plugs on my z leaving everything where it is. Maybe its just me.  

[rweatherford]

Have you looked at how small your arms are?  Yes it's just you....  

[zach82]

It was kind of a pain, but I always just used an angled wobble head extension to change the plugs on my 3100. ÂÂÂ

[IsaacHayes]

Even with a STB on? I'd rather give my arms some room and avoid cuts. It's getting the boots off that is the pain, when it comes off your arm/hand usualy busts open on something.. It doesn't take but maybe a total of 5mins more to do the mount thing, and makes the whole job a lot faster/easier.

Rex: Surprised that still works on your car, your mounts are stiff you showed me yourself! lol. I'd rather do the fenderwell bolts than crawl under my car take the plastic shrouding off so I can get to the lower dogbone. Which is covered in oil usualy...  

The GP guys disconnect their front dogbones and roll the car like Rex said. Not sure how Andy's mounts are, but I'm sure he could disconnect one and move it forward..

[rweatherford]

I don't do it on my car, just v-6's.  My plugs are right on the top.

[IsaacHayes]

_smack forehead icon_ oh yeah. DUH! For a second I thought hmm is the Q4 plugs on the back side of the motor or something? Then forgot about it and posted. I know on the 2.5L iron duke motors the distributor is on the back side  between the firewall and the motor and you have to crawl under the car to get to it. I had to hax-saw off the cap, then drill out the bolts from one, when I was driving the spare car when I was doing my water leaks in my beretta. The thing was running so bad you had to drive it one gear lower than normal (5spd). Wasn't very fun. Who's idea was it to put a distributor there? oh well back on topic... Andy where are you?