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Author Topic: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"  (Read 40652 times)

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TopNotch

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #255 on: April 12, 2021, 05:01:53 pm »
I fond a strange sensor on the side of my oil pan, with no wire connected to it. The only thing I can figure is that it's an oil level sensor of some kind. (And yes, I now my oil pan is caked with crud.)
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

Fierofool

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #256 on: April 12, 2021, 05:35:44 pm »
I have one on my 3.4 pan
There are three kinds of men:

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3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

GTRS Fiero

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #257 on: April 12, 2021, 06:03:28 pm »
I wonder if that could be wired to the oil light.

HarryT

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #258 on: April 13, 2021, 01:02:40 am »
Oil temp sensor  or oil heater for cold weather????
Harry
87  Black GT (The Little Black Car)
2009 Honda CR-V
X 2002  40' Allegro Bus X Traded
2008 Thor Four Winds Siesta 25SA
Retired Mechanic

TopNotch

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #259 on: April 13, 2021, 07:04:46 pm »
Yesterday I took the shrink wrap off my "new" transmission. I suppose I should have done that when I bought it, but I wanted it Protected from weather. Anyhow, it looks just like the old one, so it must be the right kind.
But I found a tag on it which says, "Replace front seal and index torque converter completely prior to installation." I have no idea what indexing a torque converter is, so I hope someone transmission savvy will explain it.
I took out the bad axle, and found that the new one is slightly longer. I hope it's OK, but there's always plan B. Clean out and re-pack the old one with the a split boot on it.

The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #260 on: April 13, 2021, 07:20:24 pm »
It looks as if the ends are longer.

TopNotch

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #261 on: April 20, 2021, 07:10:49 pm »
The large engine and transmission fit so tightly in the cradle that I figured it would be easier to separate the transmission from the engine by lifting them off the cradle and setting them on a smooth board


This actually worked out very well, except for one problem. When I lifted the transmission with my cherry picker to set it on the creeper as you can see in the picture below, it tilted and smelly burnt trans oil spilled out, and I had a mess to clean up.


I still have to take a number of things off the old transmission and transfer them to the "new" one. For example, the dipstick tube that you can see part of in the picture below, is meant for a front wheel drive car, and curves over the transmission. The dipstick tube on my old one is shorter, and accessible from the back.
I installed  new axle seals and a filter in the "new" transmission. The "new" transmission is very clean inside, so I'm hoping it runs as good as it looks.

The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #262 on: April 20, 2021, 07:52:25 pm »
That covering on the exhaust looks nice.

TopNotch

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #263 on: April 20, 2021, 08:57:55 pm »
That covering on the exhaust looks nice.
If you mean that heat protector on the manifold, I think all 3800's have it. My question is, for those familiar with the engines, is the heat protector only on one side of the engine (like mine), or should it be on the other side also?
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

Fierofool

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #264 on: April 20, 2021, 09:06:03 pm »
Mel's 3800 GP only had it on 1 side, near the passenger compartment.
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

GTRS Fiero

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #265 on: April 20, 2021, 09:27:47 pm »
Interesting.  Are the manifolds interchangeable?

Fierofool

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #266 on: April 20, 2021, 10:39:28 pm »
Pat, if you think your replacement axle is too long and you still have the option of returning it, I would consult CV Source in Buford/Flowery Branch and have them replace the center shaft.  That's what looks to be too long, to me. 
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

TopNotch

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #267 on: April 21, 2021, 08:54:24 am »
I have found a number of things that weren't quite right while working on this project. One of the bolts that hold the transmission to the engine was missing. Both of the transmission mounts had only two of three bolts holding them to the transmission, and the bolts on one of them were loose.The crossover pipe connection to one of the manifolds was loose. I'll be getting a little extra hardware when I put this thing back together.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #268 on: April 21, 2021, 09:34:18 pm »
Interesting.  Are the manifolds interchangeable?

From the looks, no.  (Answering my own question.)

GTRS Fiero

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Re: The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"
« Reply #269 on: April 21, 2021, 09:35:03 pm »
Did the drivetrain feel loose?