You're right that I got the two confused. The 3800 Series II was descended from the 1960 aluminum "Fireball" V6 and used a block derived from it's successors, b

You're right that I got the two confused. The 3800 Series II was descended from the 1960 aluminum "Fireball" V6 and used a block derived from it's successors, but if I'm remembering correctly was part of the engine family that started in 1978 and was part of GM's downsizing to combat gas prices. The Fireball and 235 used a 90° bank and was 3.8L but with the switch to FWD in 1982 the new LK9 used a 3.0L (I was wrong about the 3.6L displacement, I apologize) 60° layout that grew in displacement until the late 1990s.