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How can I tell if I have a FWD or RWD 3800 Series II

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Old Jul 23, 2022 | 06:15 PM
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Default How can I tell if I have a FWD or RWD 3800 Series II

I just bought a 3800 Series II for a Jeep CJ swap. The guy I bought it from is a mechanic and he said he pulled it from a RWD Olds. But how can I tell for sure? all I have is the block and heads.
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Old Jul 23, 2022 | 06:28 PM
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The engine doesn't care if it'* in a FWD or RWD.
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Old Jul 23, 2022 | 11:17 PM
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There was never a 3800 Series 2 factory installed in a RWD Oldsmobile.
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Old Jul 24, 2022 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by carfixer007
The engine doesn't care if it'* in a FWD or RWD.
But I though the motor mounts were different, the oil filter placement was different, and the accessory mounts were different?
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Old Jul 24, 2022 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ifurlong
But I though the motor mounts were different, the oil filter placement was different, and the accessory mounts were different?
Either way, there was never a 3800 Series 2 factory installed in a RWD Oldsmobile.

If your mechanic pulled it from an Oldsmobile then it is FWD.


Personally I know of no difference between FWD and RWD short and long blocks. I looked around on the Internet and found no (credible) others that know of a difference.

Then I found this thread which also seems to think that there'* no difference: https://www.gmforum.com/performance-...vs-rwd-239733/

You might want to go back to the guy you bought it from and ask what model and year of Oldsmobile it came out of.
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Old Jul 25, 2022 | 09:13 AM
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There are factory RWD 3800 Series 2 engines. Yes, they do have different intake systems and oil filter mounts.

Wow, a google search and the first result is me actually saying the same things...

Originally Posted by Mike
I know of a mid 90'* Trans Am?, that has the 3800 in them. Last I knew, the intake was different, and the oil filter bracket is different(due to placement in the engine bay).
I don't know what trans it had.
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Old Jul 26, 2022 | 01:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike
There are factory RWD 3800 Series 2 engines. Yes, they do have different intake systems and oil filter mounts.
But . . .

Originally Posted by ifurlong
the block and heads
. . . are the same, right?
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Old Jul 26, 2022 | 09:18 AM
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Correct. The block and heads are the same.

During my quick research yesterday, found someone had to re-TIG a different snout for the M90 supercharger to work in a RWD environment.
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Old Jul 27, 2022 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike
Correct. The block and heads are the same.

During my quick research yesterday, found someone had to re-TIG a different snout for the M90 supercharger to work in a RWD environment.
Interesting, for hood clearance or belt alignment or . . . ?
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Old Jul 27, 2022 | 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by CathedralCub
Interesting, for hood clearance or belt alignment or . . . ?
The inlet of the M90 supercharger faces the firewall and apparently gets pretty close to it when its in a RWD environment.

IMO, I wouldn't mind gutting a hood just to make a RWD 3800 L67 fit. Heck, I'd make an electric clutch for it just like Mad Max.


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