215ci Aluminum V8 horsepower rating?

[karls59tr]

Anyone know the HP rating for a stock unit? what kind of carb did they normally run. Did early Landrovers have them.Are they reliable or problematic overall?

 

[tr8todd]

Wikipedia will give you a pretty good rundown. Google searches will turn up just about everything else you need to know. Just too many variations of the old Buick Rover engine out there to give a basic answer to your questions. There are also lists for engine numbers that can pinpoint exactly where your engine came from to help narrow down your search. One thing you should be aware of is that with just a little modification, those stock HP numbers climb quickly.

 

[vivdownunder]

Had a Rover 3500S 4 speed sedan with the ex Buick 215cid V8 in the mid 70's - a model preferred by the British highway patrol. Replaced the 1.75" SU carbies with an Offenhauser inlet manifold and 465cfm Holley 4 barrel carby, which boosted HP sufficient to easily tow a ski boat. Found the Lucas dizzy often went out of tune, so fitted Lumenition ignition.

Apart from Rover cars, SU equipped 215cid engines were fitted to early Range Rovers. Later Range Rovers and Landrover Discoveries had the improved fuel injected version. There were some overheating problems, but in general the engine was reliable. Being of aluminium, engine rebuilds are better carried out by mechanics familiar with these units.

Prior to being sold to Rover, the Buick version of this lightweight V8 engine formed the basis of the Repco Brabham F1 world championship winning cars of 1966/67

Viv

 

[John_Mc]

Here's an article that may help, or at least entertain.
https://www.britishv8.org/Articles/motors.htm