1980s Buick V6 Question...

A co-worker recently acquired a 30,000 mile, early 1980-1982ish Grand Prix (I think) with a running engine. I'm trying to talk him into a trade, but don't know much about that vintage engine. Since it would be a complete assembly, I'd really only need a flywheel to perform the swap. Internet research revealed balancing changes over the years (even during the 80s). I couldn't find any flywheels listed during the 80s. Do they exist? Perhaps everything was automatic? Would I have to have something custom made/balanced? Anything else I should watch out for as far as carbs or ignition go?

 

Those engines were internally balanced if I remember correctly. You can use any 225 flywheel but it needs to have a neutral balance. The reason for rebalancing is the 225 flywheel is because it was externally balanced.

 

Is it a 3.8 or 4.1? Intake manifolds changed in '79 to match new cylinder heads, the newer ones flow much better. Mine had trouble with plastic timing chain gears. They get chewed up (high mile problem) and go through the oil pump, necessitating a new front cover. Melling used to make a high volume oil pump kit for them that was pretty easy to install. Watch the plastic buttons that locate the rocker arms. They get brittle and break off sometimes. There was a 3-spd manual trans offered in the '78-'79 Chevy Malibu but I'm not sure when they were phased out. Pontiac probably never offered it.

 

Somebody else chime in to confirm this but wouldnt a grand prix be a front wheel drive motor ? I thought you had to have a rear wheel drive motor for this application?

 

Thanks for the info. I have a flywheel on my junk 225, so it sounds like a doable proposition if I rebalance it. I'll have to look and see if the ignition/carb is computer controlled or not.

I'm currently buidling a smallblock that was destined for the Jeep, but I may trade the guy for the V6. The advantage of the V6 is that its complete and should pretty much bolt in. My V8 is probably worth more, but still requires the purchase of a lot of parts (intake, exhaust, starter, front stuff).