4th Jan 2022, 06:23
I agree, the 403 was not a very good motor in any respect. I've driven a few of them when newer, from my experience they don't have much more power or acceleration than a similar Oldsmobile or Chevy 350.
And the 403 slurped almost as much gas as the Buick and Olds 455 engines (which were both built much stronger). The bottom end/main bearings on the 403 were built weak and prone to failure, as well as no water jackets between the pistons caused overheating problems, just like the 4.1 V6 in the review.
This was the "malaise" era for American automakers.
29th Jul 2016, 13:41
I had a 78 LeSabre with the 3.8 V6. Slow but got real good gas mileage. Also had an 84 with 307 Olds that drank gas like a big block, but still nothing rides like a Buick.