GMT200 Northstar?

[thepipes]

I have an 1997 Olds Silhouette with 130k miles. I lost my first engine at 90k and just lost my second one on vacation this week. We really like the car--it is the most comfortable we've had, but I'm not about to put another 3400 in it. What about a 3800 or a Northstar?

[Joseph Upson]

I have an 1997 Olds Silhouette with 130k miles. I lost my first engine at 90k and just lost my second one on vacation this week. We really like the car--it is the most comfortable we've had, but I'm not about to put another 3400 in it. What about a 3800 or a Northstar?

What were the causes of the engine failures?

[thepipes]

The first failure was the internal intake manifold gasket failure, and the second was a thrown rod while going about 75mph through western Oregon.

[86euro]

Sounds like a lack of vehicle upkeep to me.

[Rhedalert]

You could get a 3800 to fit in there without a lot of trouble, but that engine is not the answer to making the car reliable (those engines have a history of intake gasket failures, plus engine fires). Was your 2nd 3400 used? Rebuilt?

[SappySE107]

The rear bank runs hot on a minivan. A good 3400 will have the metal lower intake manifold gaskets and the brown high temp o ring on the oil pump drive. Your best bet is to use another 3400, but go over it first and make it right. Cheaper and more reliable than a northstar for sure. 3800 you could also get the parts to make it nice, but thats heavier, and a lot more work.

[thepipes]

It was used with 45k on it

[Mr.H.O]

You could get a 3800 to fit in there without a lot of trouble, but that engine is not the answer to making the car reliable (those engines have a history of intake gasket failures, plus engine fires). Was your 2nd 3400 used? Rebuilt?

Im sure planting the 3800 in a U van physically would barely be any trouble at all considering all of the mounting points are the same. There wouldnt be that much work involved at all actually in popping in a 3800 or even and S/C. The 3800 V6 is GM's longest in use motor next to the 350 SBC and is also G.M's most reliable engine in terms of pushrod V6's. There are many, and I mean many more 60degree V6 engine with intake gasket conerns now then there will ever be 3800 intake gasket concerns.

The 60 degree V6's are great engines and can last a hell of a long time if kept up with in terms of maintenance but the 3800 is a more reliable engine hands down and maybe G.M's most reliable engine ever!

Also I have never heard of (neither have my fellow co workers) of a 3800 engine causing a fire? Where did you get this info from? Have you ever seen a 3800 engine create a fire under normal operating conditions?

As Sappy said replacing the 3400 with another one would probably be the easiest route! Or you could buy the external crank trigger wheel from the store and put in a 3500. I havent seen a single 3500 with lower intake leaks...also the I remember hearing something about rivisions to the cylinder heads and lower manifold so that coolant would flow elsewhere which would in turn eliminate engine failiure do to lower intake gasket failiure. A 3400 or 3500 should go along way without giving you any problems as long as it's been taken care. 04 and up 3400 engines use the most up to date intake gasket set for that motor.

[sharkey]

3800 the most reliable gm motor??? i highly doubt that. i usualy see one a week at my shop with ignition problems that feel like a lockup shudder. however, this isnt the topic of the thread, nor do i wanna get into it.

i would grab another used 3400, pull the heads, check it all out and reassemble it with the updated intake gasket, and itll be fine. make sure when you do it you flush the rad and heater core and put normal green antifreeze in.

[Rhedalert]

The 3800 WAS reliable, up until around the mid '90s and higher. I work at a shop and while yes, we get a lot of 3400's and 3100's with intake gasket failures, we also get a fair share of 3800's. Also had a couple 3800's that dropped the cam locator pin, and the cam/timing gear grind into the cover. Had a few siezed 3800's come in too (could be traced to engine neglect though). As far as the fires, just check out your local junkyards. I frequent the self serve junkyards in PA, and ALMOST EVERY burnt GM has a 3800 under the hood. Early Intrigues, Eighty Eights, Lesabres, Grand Prixs, etc. Every time I pop the hood of a crispity GM it's like a 90% chance it's a 3800.

[3100 MPFI]

I'm with brian on this one too. I have seen a lot more 3800s in the shop with problems than 3100/3400's. There is a local shop here that keeps a 3800 out front. The owner has told the mechanics there that if they see any car with an engine that looks like it, to turn them away if they need mechanical work.

My local yard has crushed their cars, but it is a pretty small yard, and ALL of the 3800's there were burned, except for 2. A 1997 Riviera, and a 1998 Intrigue. The rest of them (over 20) were all engine fires.