LUVTruck.com

oil pressure idiot light...... truck's been over heating(slightly) in high load conditions the last week or two and now the idiot light for oil press. is coming on below 1200 rpm. Mains?......... oil pump ..... dunno.... i guess a rebuild is in order though since iv'e got a new head on the damn thing already.is this block(1.8) really worth keeping ? or is a 231 conversion in order.....ive got a week off. anybody with a clue how to install a 231 buick motor could really help me make the decision.

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if autofab still made kits it would be much easier.
that is what I used.

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03Cobra

Whichever is cheaper. If you have to rebuild the engine - it might cost you $400, and an engine (good and used) could cost you the same.

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- 1976 Chevy Longbed - Daily Driver
- 1981 Chevy Shortbed 4X4 - Needs Help!
- 1981 Chevy Luv 4X4 - Newly put together

i was wondering more along the lines of this being a work truck,i haul alot of lumber around and was thinking about being able to get a little more torgue outta this thing.would the stock 3.8 have the juice or would i be better off rebuilding the 1.8 and getting an exaust and intake setup for it. there's a million broke down olds and buicks where i live. Also im concerened about the hassle factor getting the 3.8 ready to run as a daily.

sorry... i guess i should be a little more pacific when i ask for info i guess... i dont think miss cleo is a member here eh?

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the 3.8 has more power, is definitely more reliable and you can find parts for it out of alot of buicks.
my opinion is to do the swap. I had a 3.8 in my truck for about 8 years and never had any problems out of it.

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03Cobra

Do the swap...mho

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Resident lurker

since your working the truck hard i would do the swap as well.

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1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...

Take a look at the V-8 swap article in the information section of the site. It's basicly the same thing but with different motor mounts.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

you could also use the v-8 swap set up to put a 4.3L in the damn thing.
just make sure you get a decent motor, and don't get anything newer than 94 or you can't use the edelbrock 4 barrel intake.

when i did mine i had carb at first, then because i did not check the motor i ended up replacing it 3 months later. now i have throttle body fuel injection and 235 hp

well..... first of thanks for the opinions on the matter ! second yall've been pretty helpfull on the matter so i'll ofer a BIG HUGE THANK YOU! one question.

should i rebuild the buick motor before i install it? I've had 4 cars with this motor before and they all smoked,they still ran great though. all four had top end (valve seals)issues

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I would, but when I do stuff like that, I like to have everything good to go. That way I don't have to be worried about it. And maybe save some time pulling it back out to fix something I could've done before it went in.

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Resident lurker