I have a 215 out of a boat. wondering if its reverse rotation. If it is, can it be changed to be used in a car.
I'd start by taking a clear photo of the timing marks on the harmonic balancer. From that we should be able to determine the rotation of your engine.
I have get to the shop tomorrow. I'll get a picture then. Is there any numbers to look for? casting #'s?
Unless it came from a twin it will be a standard rotation and if from a twin I still have my doubts that it it would be a reverse rotation.
If on the off chance that it IS reverse rotation you can put an automotive cam in it, and it may require a different distributor gear to match the cam. Then there is the issue of the angled serrations on the crankshaft that are under the rope seal which are intended to pull oil towards the inside of the engine. On a reverse rotation engine these serrations will be angled in the wrong direction and tend to push oil out of the rear main rather than pulling it in if the engine is switched to standard rotation. What type of boat had a 215 Buick motor in it?
What type of boat had a 215 Buick motor in it? My in laws 1964 (I think) Marinette cabin cruiser. Haven't worked on it for years but if I remember correctly one was reverse rotation. Believe they were marketed originally by Gray Marine.
Fresh water or salt? You are in the middle of the country. I suspect fresh water. Salt water I would be afraid to touch them.
^^^^^24riverview...I'm a fan of the little aluminum 215's. I wouldn't care which way they rotated if that boat was being parted out. Lynn
Some engines use a gear drive [in place of chain] to reverse engine, cam stays in standard rotation keeping stock oil pump and dist. Only crank goes reverse, ign timing goes opposite side TDC and and reverse operating starter.
The serrations on the crank at the rear main rope seal would be slanted the other direction. It'll rot the aluminum in one fourth of the time that it does the cast iron. Even in fresh water the aluminum will be subject to rapid corrosion. I suspect that most of the 215 motors that were used in boats had a closed cooling system with a heat exchanger.
Did not know that. You would thing that it probably would not attack the aluminum. Learned something else today. Thank you Sir.
Since it came from a single engine boat it probably is standard rotation. Did a get a photo of the timing marks?
I think the 215 is a cool engine. I have thought about a new Corvair build with this engine. It would be mounted in the rear as well. I would need to figure out the transaxle but I don't think it would be to much trouble. I would need a reverse rotation engine in this application. The biggest issue is the lack of performance parts for this motor. In a Corvair it wouldn't need to be big HP for a spirited ride. I'm thinking supercharger on this one.
If you do begin this endeavor consider using the Oldsmobile variant of the 215. It had 6 head bolts around the perimeter of each cylinder, vs 5 on the Buick. Much better suited to forced induction and the resulting cylinder pressures. The Buick valvetrain precludes the use of that 6th fastener as the rocker shaft stands are in the way. Propellers in twin-engine boats are set to turn in opposite directions so that the torque created by each balances the other out. If both propellers turned in the same direction, you would feel it at the steering wheel--you would have to counter the torque by steering constantly in the same direction.
The same thing is done with many twin engine aircraft that use reciprocating engines. This can be critical if you have an engine out situation.
I didn't get a picture of the timing marks but, its on the passenger side of the engine with three lines and two "0's".
Reverse rotation 215 would be perfect for a Corvair. They had a reverse rotation engine to begin with. There is an adapter to put it on the Corvair transaxle. Transdapt makes them or used to.
Here are the adapters to a Corvair transaxle. This is a Parker (I think) CorV8 unbolted from a 215 Buick. The flexplate adapter must center the converter. It had an Isky 282 Rev Rotation cam, reverse cut distributor drive gear, and Regular size starter (reverse rotation, probably)
Here is the Reverse rotation 215 Buick cam. End says Iskenderian 282. Distributor drive gear is angled opposite a regular distributor drive.
As far as updates on the Buick 215 : GM sold this motor to Rover & they used & modified it for a long time, so there is a source for more modern & larger versions in your local wrecking yards...
Looks like some good info here. http://www.v8engines.com/engine-4.htm http://www.v8engines.com/faq-conv.htm They made 240, 260, 269, 271, and a 304 ci versions of the engine.
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