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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Buick Aluminum Engines Found

Going tomorrow to look at 6 old Buicks that still have their 215 aluminum engines in them...completely intact just as they were parked...all are automatics...is anyone interested in one...I don't know their condition..they're there, in the cars just as original with nothing taken off or opened up....if I want them, I can buy all or none "Don't pay me to pull one, I'll pull 'em all or none..won't guarantee 'em either." was the old guy's answer...let me know if nayone's interested....
Tony Barnhill

Tony the head design on the buick engine was different from the Olds and was inferior. Buick's engine look was straight up valve covers. The engine is slightly narrower because of the design but the breathing is poorer. The bolt pattern for the block/heads is different too as I recall. I originally bought two Olds engines in 1969 - one normal with a clutch etc, the other hi perf with 4 barrel carb bigger valves etc. I was going to put it in a 190 sl roadster, instead of that finicky 1.9. My info dates from those experiences. I recall reading somewhere that the new heads breath much better- and I think they are Olds bolt patterns. I drove a mgbgt with a buick conversion a few years ago. 4 barrel carb, modified cam etc. It went ok but I'd estimate 135 hp max. Those old buick heads just weren't that good

Barry
Barry Parkinson

If any one is interested I just got my issue of auto restorer in and it has the the skylark and a brief history
GM ( buick) 215. I might try to post this any one is interested. Not sure if any new info would be gained by some of you out there.
Specs for a 1962 buick skylark 215
Bore x stroke 3.50 x 2.80
compression ratio 11.0
carb four barrell
power 190 hp @ 4800* **
torque 235 lb-ft @ 3000
Road & track reports 0-60 times for lark at 10.2 secs.( weight of the car @ 3300 pnds)
* Auto restorer says that some detuned versions were rated 155 hp w/ comp ratio of 9.0:1 with rochester carb ( 2 Barrell)
** 1961 rating was 185 hp w/ 2 barrell 10.25:1

Again I just thought I would add this for anyone interested. Mike
mike childress

From the 1963 Buick Skylark/Special Sales brochure:

http://www.classicar.com/bombsight/sky7.html

"(standard on Skylark; optional on Special and Special Deluxe) Horsepower 200 @ 5000 rpm. Maximum torque 240 foot pounds @ 3200 rpm. Compression ratio 11.0 to 1. Four-barrel carburetor standard. Firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Splash and pressure lubrication system. Crankcase capacity 4 quarts (less filter refill). Normal oil pressure 33 @ 2400 rpm. Full-flow oil filter standard. Mechanical fuel pump. Water intake manifold heat control. Pressure liquid cooling system. Centrifugal water pump. Cooling system capacity: 13.5 quarts. Twelve volt electrical system. Five-position starter ignition switch."
Carl

I don't doubt those were the 1960's ratings. Modernly those ratings would be far lower. There were major quality control problems with the aluminum head castings. I took the standard Olds head and the hi po head and compared the two. The hi po head had bigger ports and valves as I recall. The ports on the hi po head were obviously misaligned in the casting process. I started the grinding job to clean up the ports but never finished as a new job diverted me. I think you'll find significant variation in output from engine to engine based on manufacturing variances. The car I drove sounded healthy and was apparently in tune. It didn't produce 200 hp performance. Interestingly the orig mgb v8 with net ratings using dual carbs and the Olds head design was rated at around 130 hp. the mgb v8 wasn't 11 to 1 cr though. In the 60's they would rate the engine at the specified hp and cr and then would produce it with a lower cr. Standard manufacturing variances was what detroit called it. The ideal would be to pick up the Olds engine and with late model heads.

Barry.
Barry Parkinson

I don't doubt those were the 1960's ratings. Modernly those ratings would be far lower. There were major quality control problems with the aluminum head castings. I took the standard Olds head and the hi po head and compared the two. The hi po head had bigger ports and valves as I recall. The ports on the hi po head were obviously misaligned in the casting process. I started the grinding job to clean up the ports but never finished as a new job diverted me. I think you'll find significant variation in output from engine to engine based on manufacturing variances. The car I drove sounded healthy and was apparently in tune. It didn't produce 200 hp performance. Interestingly the orig mgb v8 with net ratings using dual carbs and the Olds head design was rated at around 130 hp. the mgb v8 wasn't 11 to 1 cr though. In the 60's they would rate the engine at the specified hp and cr and then would produce it with a lower cr. Standard manufacturing variances was what detroit called it. The ideal would be to pick up the Olds engine and with late model heads.

Barry.
Barry Parkinson

See my post on Skye Poier's BBS re what I found when I got to the 6 215 engines..they've been sitting for about 20 years...but the story is interesting...some of them probably could be built but there's no guarantee.
Tony Barnhill

Don't have a link, could you give me a link to Skyes sight??
Larry Embrey

Larry, try this:

http://www.mgb.bc.ca/phorum/read.php3?num=1&id=18119&loc=0&thread=18119

Barry,

The original MGB/GT V8 did not use the Olds head design. GM sold the Buick version 215 to Rover. Although the Olds is regarded to have less restrictive ports, the Buick makes up for it with a better combustion chamber design. Stock or modified these two engines are very closely matched in power out. There really is no point in holding one up as better than the other. They both get the job done very well.
Carl

This thread was discussed between 25/09/2000 and 27/09/2000

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