NeonLX

Yeah, the Buick nailhead 401 was retired after '66; for '67, the new Buick "big block" appeared--also came in a 430 CID version that year and, starting in '70, a 455 CID version. I remember looking at a '72 Impala with a "400" emblem on the front fender and under the hood lurked a 402 (bored 396). Olds had two 400s: the shorter-stroke 1965 - '67 version and then the '68-'69 version that had the 455's LONG 4.25" stroke (and a 3.875" bore--talk about an undersquare V8!).

Now THAT is a beauty.

Minor quibble with the article--first Chevy SS model was in '61, not '62. I recently found out that it was possible to get the SS equipment on a 4-door Impala in '61; always thought it was restricted to the 2-door hardtop & convertible. But looky here: http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/chevy/61ss/61ss.html

These things handled pretty well--and would scoot with a 403 under the hood. I love that Custom Cruiser! On edit: I'm talkin' B anc C bodies from the downsized era here...I think the 403 was available 1977-'79, right?

Love the name. No, really--I do. I'm old enough to remember when the Dart was darned near full-sized (1960-ish). Then it became a compact related to the Valiant...but I digress. I hope the new Dart ain't too 'spensive.

Hey, thanks for that link Mike! I've got to come up to speed on this particular engine family and that site looks like just the place to do it. I had some experience with a 3.1L version of the 60-degree V6 engine in a circa-1991 Corsica that was in our fleet at work. The thing had a 3-speed ATX and was a real rocket. Except for the uncomfy driving position, I always enjoyed driving it. We currently have a 2008-ish Chevy Uplander minivan (SWB) with the 3900 in the fleet and it moves right out too.

Anyone else as sick as I am of the "Happy Hondadays" ads that run incessantly on teevee? I mean, I'm only an occasional watcher of the tube (we don't even have cable or satellite), but I'm seeing those gawddambed ads every time I turn the stupid thing on. And that abrasive music that blares out during the commercials--enough to drive a man to shoot up smack. I really want to strangle all the cutesy hipsters that run around in stop motion in the ads as well. They're disgusting! Jeez, I'm getting old...

After owning several Mopar vehicles with that unfortunate A604/41TE transaxle, I'm happy to hear that the 4T45 tranny is durable. The Chrysler 4-speed slushbox is a real box of fragile Christmas tree ornaments. I still grit my teeth every time the tranny shifts in my Neon, just waiting for the sound and feel of the grenade going off (got to experience it twice in the old Voyagers we had at work).

We're coming up on 3 years of ownership with our '07 Maxx (hard to believe!). At 61,000 miles, I'm happy to report no mechanical issues whatsoever from the powertrain. We're averaging around 24 MPG with the car, and I've seen over 30 MPG on highway trips. The only "worrying" issue is some clunks from the front suspension over rough pavement--sounds like bushings to me, but it ain't worrying me too much yet. Coworker of mine with an Accord is amazed at the smoothness and quiet of the 3.5L V6 (though her Accord is powered by a 4-cyl). I'm still impressed with the power of this engine; even with a full load on board, the car will get up to expressway speeds without any fuss.

I didn't realize the new Fiesta was so spendy... Darn it, I really had high hopes for this little tyke. Both the Fiesta and the Cruze are too pricey in my view; I can find a year-old Cobalt or Focus coming in off of a fleet with 12K miles on the odometer for just over half the $$$$ of either of these. I guess there is a certain amount of boutique-y cachet about them but it ain't worth the extra dough for an old fart like me.

I just had a weird memory come bubbling up through all of the sludge my mind has accumulated over the decades--GMC used a 336 CID version of the Pontiac V8, circa 1957 or '58. Far as I know, this 336 CID version was not used in any Pontiac cars ('56 Poncho had a 316.6 CID V8, '57 used a 347 CID variant). Here's another weird one: there was a 400 CID V8 available in the '75 or '76 Olds 98, in place of the standard Olds 455 V8 (they may have been aiming for slightly better fuel economy, ha-ha). I think it may have been a Pontiac 400, rather than a resurrection of the small bore/long stroke Olds 400 from the late 1960s. Anyone else remember it?

I'm an old-school gearhead to the max. Grew up in a family of serious gearheads. We spent most evenings and weekends building up cars or at least tuning them up. My dad, brother and uncles were all avid car fanatics. Even the women in our family were auto afficianados. Just like my gearhead relatives, I could tell any vehicle's make, model and year up through about the mid-1970s. Heck, I could even tell a '51 DeSoto from a '52 within a split-second of viewing one. But as I drive down the roads today, I see vehicles coming & going that I don't even recognize. Couldn't even tell you what brand they are. Sadly, I don't even care in most cases. I saw my first Cruze from the rear 3/4. Honestly, I thought it was a Corolla, though the roof looked more like a Chrysler Sebring's. Of course, the Chevy grille set me straight.

Actually, both the 3.5L & 3.9L V6s do have 3.9" bores (99mm ~ 3.9"). The displacement difference between the two is a function of the stroke length. The "offset bore" concept in the description intrigues me. On edit: thanks to everyone for the responses!

I'm still amazed that they were able to punch out the 60-degree V6 to 3.9L displacement. There just can't be much meat left in those blocks with those big 3.9" holes. I remember when the 2.8L V6 first came out in the X cars. When I saw my first one, I was amazed at how puny it looked. I couldn't imagine that it could be bored or stroked any more...but then along came the 3.1L. Anyone know a good source for info on these engines? I'd love to see the innards. Wikipedia has a decent description but I need visuals! Thanks.

yearnings

CR tested beer a few years back. It was hysterically funny. They rated Honda's "Accord Lite" as the best brew. Imagine my shock. Can't wait to see their review of buttwipe. I'm sure their very own pages will come out on top of the ratings.

It's -18F here this a.m. Coldest I've ever been in was -34F. This was back in 1969. Diesels wouldn't run at all because the fuel jelled inside the injector lines. We used to start our John Deere diesel tractor with shots of ether into the air intake, which would be followed by some very ominous knocking sounds from deep down inside the engine. Was always afraid the rods would come hurtling out the side of the block but it never happened.

Funny you should say that. Just this morning, I saw a new Odyssey sitting at a traffic light. My first impression was, "dang, that thing is a pudge!". They really look bulky. But that don't matter; the Odyssey is God's gift to minivandom.

Wouldn't Jeeps look just ducky with a Honda emblem in the grille?

Heh. The Request's vertical grille is certainly prouder than Edsel's was...but the 1970 Pontiac gave it a run for the money!

Wish they'd compete with Toyota, Honda et. al. rather than inter-divisionally amongst other GM divisions. I hate to see them kill the G6; that car appears to sell VERY well around here.

The Best of Jim Reeves. "Stand at Your Window" still brings tears to my eyes, just like it did back when it was on the charts (now THAT should age me).

Uh-oh...to me, it looks like a Chrysler Sebring from the rear...BUT, the LaCrosse proportions are much better than the Sebring's. In other words, it looks REALLY nice. Love the interior. Hope it isn't too heavy.

QUOTE (66Stang @ Jan 7 2009, 10:11 AM) The Neon is a fine little car. Wish Chryco still built them. Yeah, me too. I kinda sorta like the Caliber, but not nearly as well as the Neon. If something happened to the Neon, I'd be looking for a late model Cobalt or Focus to replace it (unless I could find a real gem of Neon). Both are inexpensive, fuel efficient and comfortable.

Coworker of mine (who drives a Honda Accord) found out I drive a Neon. She laughed hysterically for a few seconds, then quipped, "isn't that the kind of car dads buy for their daughters when they go to college?". Ha-ha, everybody's a comic.