I think I might be getting this car, but I probably will be keeping the Oldsmobile for the winter. It's a 1978 Pontiac LeMans with a 231ci 3.8L V6 Engine RWD, not really a big block but I think I might keep it in their. It's at my grandpa's house and he doesn't drive anymore, he asked me if I wanted it, I think I might get since it's free. Lot's of plans for it, finding lots of stuff online too. The body is really in good shape, there is a little rust hole on the roof, but nothing a little drop of bondo wouldn't fix (it's a really tiny hole). There are no dents at all. The only thing that it needs to be running good is a brake job and the head gasket. Found some headers for it, add some dual exhaust.
Probably keep the original teal color, but I was thinking of black too.

TOC Admin
Brando

the Lemans is the same chassis as the Malibu, El Camino, as well as the Regal and Cutlass, if i remember right, so theres a LOT of suspension stuff available, and you can also do alot of engine swapping stuff as well. The 231 REAR wheel drive engine was a far cry from the newer FWD version, and was notorious for lower end problems, but the tranny WILL bolt up to any Buick, Olds, or Pontiac v8 engine

I SMELL ANOTHER PROJECT COMING!!!!!!

Yep, it definately will be a project. Thing is, my Brother rebuilt the V6, but forgot to change the head gasket before putting it all back together. What "lower end" problems does the engine have? And when you said the transmission will bolt right up with the Buick, Olds, or Pontiac V8 Engines, what transmission is in this car? I was looking at engines in ads, how big of a block will the car fit? The V6 looks tiny in the engine compartment... I saw an Olds 455 for $750, I believe it was rebuilt too. Good deal or No go? What's the horsepower and torque on a stock 1978 Buick 231ci 2bbl V6 RWD Engine? What engine would you recommend for best value and performance? It would be cool to make it olds powered!

Lot's of questions!

TOC Admin
Brando

well...they mainly had oiling issues with the power ends...i guess the phrase "my Brother rebuilt the V6, but forgot to change the head gasket before putting it all back together" kinda scares me a little bit...lol, but anyways....alot of the Lemans came with 301 pontiac V8's in em, or 305 chevys...I'm guessing this probably has a TH200 metric tranny, not one of the heavier trannys GM produced, but with a factory v8 engine it should hold up for a while. $750 for a rebuilt 455 isnt bad, depending on the year, what all has been done, etc. I would think either a 350 Pontiac or Olds would work fine in this car. You'd most likely have to use the hardware from either a cutlass with a V8, or a Grand Prix, motor mounts, exhaust manifolds, etc. Might have to lengthen some wiring or shorten, most likely in the alternator and starter department. It should fit a 455, although it may be a bit tight...might want to post something on RealOldsPower, hell, they swap Olds V8's into S-10's and fullsize duallys, i'm sure a Lemans would be EASY to those guys...lol

These era engines were known for the #5 main bearing going, kinda like the fable chevy 2.8 but the buicks lasted longer, they fixed the problem in the early 80s though and only a feew had thier bearings go, its not like every one went just a few



Any of those motors will bolt up and you have plenty of room for big blocks



A fear inducing 110hp with 190lbs of torque, makes you wanna piss your pants.............in laughter. I would say look for a olds 350 or 403 because their great motors and easy to find, you could get a chevy 350 but chevy people are a dime a dozen and I'm more into being different



In my full recommedations, I would go with a Pontiac motor because its a Pontiac car. Get your self a Poncho 350, 400, or 455. for the 350 I would use a 200r4 OD tranny a 400 will survive, but that depends on how strong the tranny was built and how much of a beater you are. The 200 won't last long behind a 455, to much weight and torque, I would suggest a TH350 because its plenty strong enough and more efficient than the TH400.

psyco..while i agree with ya that the pontiac engine would be more correct, and that the TH350 is more efficient, the TH400 is built to withstand more hard torque and abuse overall than the TH350...and while less efficient, will generally outlive a TH350 in stock form under abuse or hard driving conditions...its basically gonna come down to how much he plans on beating it, and how much he plans to build it. IF he decided to go with a 455 of either Olds or Pontiac origin, the th400 is a must have for any kind of hard driving or abuse, thats why you didnt normally see TH350's come behind these engines from the factory. I like the TH350s as well....behind a 350 or 400...but for a 455, the TH400 would be the way to go..just remember if you DO decide to go the TH400 route, driveshaft length and yokes may differ. The 200R4, in case Brando didnt know, is the BOP version of a 700R4 overdrive, and as psyco said, wont hold up long under ANY kind of serious abuse with any kind of power in front of it. With some building, theyre a great trans, and many guys are using them on both 350s as well as 455s, but it takes some $$$$$ just my .02 cents...

speaking a Ponchos and trannies... what do you know about the TH 700-R4?

holy SHIT!!! HES BAAAACCCKKK!!!!

bout time ya find yer way back, primer

the TH700R4 is an overdrive transmission for Chevrolet rear wheel drive applications..the newer versions tend to be better built, theres an update kit available for the older versions ( i believe pre 90 or so) that has some heavier built parts than the older versions came out with...

The main problem with the 700 is its made only for Chevys while the 200r4 you can find for all GM models. If he wants to be orginal and put something in his car other than a chevy he will need a TH200r4 if he wants to have OD other than that a TH350, TH375, or TH400 will work

What body is a 1978 Pontiac LeMans?
Is it a G-Body? A-Body? , OK, now I am just guessing....what body is a LeMans?

TOC Admin
Brando

Hmm good question, its either a G body or a X body, I would have to look at it to tell you because I can't remember what a 78 Lemans looks like

Hmm...well, here is an 80' LeMans, which looks pretty much the same, except for the paint color...etc.

http://www.sounddomain.com/memberpage/316876


TOC Admin
Brando

I think it is a A body... My car is Canadian (the American version was catalina or bonneville) actuall the 79 bonne. looks alot like my car...I have the Chiltons manual for theLeMans... it is in the same section as my car... (spare parts !)
specs for Brando: 105 hp @ 3200 rpm 185 ft. lbs of torque @ 2000 borexstroke was 3.800x3.400 with a compression ratio of 8.0:1

Doesn't seem to be an A Body, it is a G Body from what I have read.

A bodies were made from '64-'77, G Bodies from '78-'88
>PONTIAC A BODY-Tempest/Le Mans/GTO/Grand Prix
>PONTIAC G BODY-Tempest/Le Mans/Grand Prix

TOC Admin
Brando

that sounds about right... the frames suck though