Whose running a Buick 215 alum V-8? Are they as expensive to build as I think they are? I have seen parts and kits that dont appear to be cheap. Just curious, always have been intrigued by these powerplants. Any cool "speed equipment" out there for them? Thanks, just curious, dont have one or anything (YET)...
I'm going to run one in my 26 T sedan. Actually the Olds version. And yes, they cost more to build than your typical Chevy but a lot less than one of Henery's flatheads. I will be runnning a mild cam, Sanderson "Lakes Style" headers, Edelbrock Performer intake and 500 CFM carb. I got most of my rebuild parts from D&D Fabricatins http://www.aluminumv8.com . I am also using one of their 700R4 adapters. Good stuff.
If you had to guess....how many HP and ft lbs you got there? That would be about exactly the setup I had in mind....sounds very nice....
base hp for the '63 was 215 if I remember right. you can bore them and stroke them using Buick 300 parts. There is also a 3x3 intake out there for them but I can't remember who makes them. If I remember right they are around 350 pounds so they will reduce the overall weight of the car. I am considering one myself.
These used to be popular in sandrails. 320lbs weight. Guy I know just finished having his short block done. $1300. This included doing the 300 crank mod,ect (D&D has how to). His other motor is a 215 with 3:71 blower in his 28/9 A roadster project (long term project)
Its used in the UK in the Rover cars, Land Rovers, Range Rovers, TVR's... LOADS of people use them in hot rods, its almost the UK S.B. Chevy Not sure of patrs interchangability tho from Rover to Buick
The 215 HP rating for the Olds in '63 was for the turbocharged version. Called the Jetfire,only about 5800 were made.My dad had one and it would scoot! And one of the few production cars in the 60's to reach 1 hp per cubic inch. I remember my dad paid $300 extra to get the turbo over the carb model(real money in '63). Olds could never keep the turbo in adjustment very long. When my dad traded it in for a '65 Olds,he got $300 less for his trade-in than if it had been the carbed version. A$600 loss,but I sure wish I had thecar now.
i had one in a 61 4 door ran great think the motors still in the barn ill have too looksee maybe a new project motor
There's loads of stuff out there for them and with a bore and stroke to 300 ci 500 hp is not impossible or out of price range .Theres lots of cool stuff out there including webber carb set-ups.They are light ,cool as hell and fast the police used em right up untill recently in thier 170 mph Rovers that were pushing an easy 450 bhp.I have a mate here that has an old rover sd1 police car it was the last of those and dynoe'd ithas 425 hp@ 5250 rpm and is a 285ci.................Marq
thats pimp my buddy in new zealand put a rover v8 in his mazda pick-up wish i new they were the same as a buick
I'v been offered this 63 Olds Jetfire with a 215 in it. The guy wants 700 and Ioffered 500. Only thing I want out of it is the 215 and was hoping to part out the rest to get my money back out of it. How much is a rebuildable core worth? Its not worth a whole lote to me because it needs to be completely gone through. I was even wondering if the Olds is worth fixing and keeping. My idea is to drop it into my 67 MGB.
I paid $150 for my core. I am estimating my HP and torque to be in the 180 to 200 range (both). Not a lot. About what a warmed up street flathead delivers. Should be enough for the car I am building. And, since I will be running it through a Ford banjo rear, more could be a bad thing. The hot set up is a late Rover block with Buick 300 heads and crank. 64 was the only year for Buick 300 aluminum heads but the later iron heads will work and are prefered by some builders. If high HP is your goal start with a Rover block.
If you can really get it as a Jetfire,buy it! The last I saw was 15k. They are cool cars and worth fixing.
I love mine, just got some Offy valve covers for it from dmarv. He said that he can also get the 3x2 manifolds from offy.
Seems like a hundred year ago now but I brought the wife a 63 or 64 Jetfire convertible. Only trouble we ever had with it was the lame automatic. Finally got tired of ****** problems and traded it for a 63 Comet convertible. Was the Jetfire supercharged or a turbocharger? I can't remember anymore.
Why wouldnt you go for that Olds for $700. Thats one hell of a deal. Where is it? Near you in the SF?
It was turbo'd. There was a cute little boost gauge on the console,if I remember it correctly. I'd buy one to day for your price,if I could. I'd buy an engine,too if I found one close by. It wound be a ton of work,but I'll bet you could polish up the aluminum block.
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