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215 Aluminum Block Buick

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PAUL161 said:
I just found out that my son has a Olds 215 that needs rebuilding and would give it to me, but I've been doing a lot of reading up on previous conversions and the idea that I could walk into any parts store and buy parts for it, makes me lean toward a more modern engine.
Click to expand...

Doing a conversion based on the availability of a "free" engine is a poor first step to take.

Think this one out.
 
Dirt Cheap Mike Spent more than that on the 4.0 short block
 
I think it may throw the weight distribution off a bit. :wink:
 
This is getting a little crazy. I'll probably look for a stock 302 crate engine when I'm ready. Their out there. This would be for a street car, not a rocket sled! No six packs, high lifts, big valve 11 to 1 ratios, etc, etc. When it idles, I don't want to hear it run. So that should sum it up fairly well. I'm in the picking up bits and pieces stage for that conversion. I have another year or two on the TF, <span style="text-decoration: underline">if I'm lucky,</span> before anything else clutters up my shop. I have also found out, that you can restore 4 MGBs for the same cost and time it takes to do 1 MGT series! Amazing! PJ
 
The 215 may be hard to find, but the land rover equivalent is pretty common still, and as I understand it, but don't remember the specifics, some of the potential problem/relaibility areas with the motor were adressed by the British over the next 30 years or so it was developed.

I have a friend with a Rover V-8 and a 5 speed in an MGB GT, he made it more of a tourer than a hot rod, with a tall rear end and air conditioning, but it is still a fast, great handling car, and a great tourer.

The alloy v-8 is a great swap for a B, and many other LBCs for that matter.
 
The modern Landrover engine is a path well travelled. My favourite is the modern GM V6 - similar weight to the alloy V8, similar displacement, and it takes up less space - shorter by 2 cylinders and narrower than the 215 as it is a 60 deg., not 90 deg. engine. Available all the way up to a 3.9 and you can just order up a swap kit with all the stuff for it.

I pretty much had to go that way when I swapped into an MGA chassis as I didn't want to chop as much as a V8 would have required.

enginebayj.jpg
 
I predict a bigger future interest in the 215. With gasoline rising in cost, and those who must have the V8 sound, the 215 is still the smallest in cubic inches for a V-8.
 
Jacmo said:
I predict a bigger future interest in the 215. With gasoline rising in cost, and those who must have the V8 sound, the 215 is still the smallest in cubic inches for a V-8.
Click to expand...

Sorry.
136 Cubes is what Ford V8-60's had.
Personally, I would never use an aluminium block engine.
We used to rebuild the General Misunderstanding versions in the shop, first thing you did was order out a whole bunch of HeliCoil kits.
Water erosion of colant passages was pretty bad if you didn't run anti-freeze, proper mix.
Small cubic inch displacement does NOT mean good gas mileage.
Weight of the vehicle and fuel systems do.
 
Jacmo said:
I predict a bigger future interest in the 215. With gasoline rising in cost, and those who must have the V8 sound, the 215 is still the smallest in cubic inches for a V-8.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the BCF, Jacmo, from Clarksville!

Where you at?
 
TOC said:
Jacmo said:
I predict a bigger future interest in the 215. With gasoline rising in cost, and those who must have the V8 sound, the 215 is still the smallest in cubic inches for a V-8.
Click to expand...

Sorry.
136 Cubes is what Ford V8-60's had.
Personally, I would never use an aluminium block engine.
We used to rebuild the General Misunderstanding versions in the shop, first thing you did was order out a whole bunch of HeliCoil kits.
Water erosion of colant passages was pretty bad if you didn't run anti-freeze, proper mix.
Small cubic inch displacement does NOT mean good gas mileage.
Weight of the vehicle and fuel systems do.
Click to expand...

I have a Ford 60 out of a midget racer that ran the "Yellow Jacket Speedway" in Philadelphia in the 50s. Has Offenhauser heads and a "Hollywood" duel intake, hot cam and a pair of 97 carbs. Sorry, it's not for sale! PJ
Came out of one like this.
220px-TomsheOffy24.jpg
 
I rebuilt one for "exhibition" racing, got it all done, trailer, tyres, tested, and before the first race (even had my NHRA mandated "whites") the owner sold it to a Japanese collector.
 
My 8BA in my Willys (1950 Merc engine) has Offy heads, Offy 4bbl intake, Holley 390cfm carb, Mallory, Isky 77B cam, ported, releived, headers, 120 overbore, should have the rebuild done this summer.
QUICK.
 
I think a lot of those old Mercs got used up down here on the dirt tracks. I know everybody wanted a Merc to build up. Before the quick change rears were available used,(new were too expensive), most cars ran 2nd gear with a hook on the dash to keep it from jumping out of gear! :driving: :jester:

Ahh, Memories.
 
Merc and Ford blocks identical.
Difference was crank and pistons (rods same).
You can now buy new, re-made Merc cranks!
 
TOC said:
Jacmo said:
I predict a bigger future interest in the 215. With gasoline rising in cost, and those who must have the V8 sound, the 215 is still the smallest in cubic inches for a V-8.
Click to expand...

Sorry.
136 Cubes is what Ford V8-60's had.
Personally, I would never use an aluminium block engine.
We used to rebuild the General Misunderstanding versions in the shop, first thing you did was order out a whole bunch of HeliCoil kits.
Water erosion of colant passages was pretty bad if you didn't run anti-freeze, proper mix.
Small cubic inch displacement does NOT mean good gas mileage.
Weight of the vehicle and fuel systems do.
Click to expand...

Mickey--Jack, from Chattanooga. Thanks!

re helicoil kits--yes, true. Because the average person didn't know to wait for the engine to cool off before changing plugs.

General knowledge of the latest engine coolants is a whole lot better now also.

Weight of the vehicle????? Aluminum vs cast iron?
 
It was timing cover bolts into block, water pump bolts into timing cover, head bolts into block, main bolts into block, oil pump into block, valve covers into head, intake and exhaust manifold into head......and plugs.
I think it was 4 different sizes, but it's been a while.
 
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