84 vs 87 3.8 Block?

[Spool'n Fool]

Are these blocks the same? (besides the extra threaded port for oil return). Or is the 87 beefier in web areas?

 

[bison]

Strength wise their the same. The pre 86 blocks that came with the steel head gaskets have a taller deck. So milling of the deck will be required if you run an 86 up graphite head gasket to keep the compression ratio the same. They use a shorter set of head bolts too.

 

[Spool'n Fool]

Hmmmmm

Thanks... Interesting..

So if I were to retrofit an 87 intercooler/turbo set up onto my 84 engine in my 84 car, can I use my block and heads and switch the rest (intake, exhaust, and the rest)?

 

[bison]

Thanks... Interesting..

So if I were to retrofit an 87 intercooler/turbo set up onto my 84 engine in my 84 car, can I use my block and heads and switch the rest (intake, exhaust, and the rest)?

Their pretty much 100% interchangeable but you have to check your pushrod length and return the turbo oil to the engine somehow. Everything else should be the same. There are guys on here who have gone really fast with earlier blocks.

 

[EdMacKenzie]

I have an 85 block with 87 heads on it, I drilled the return in the block where the 87 is, seems to be okay!

 

[49-blues]

Been There, Done That- Works Fine.