Advice Needed Olds 215 engine worth messing with?

Like everyone, I try to be a litle different in my build ups. Anyway, I'm told a guy has a couple of early 60 aluminum olds 215 engines, with trannys, one running. that I could pick up pretty cheap. I'm building a 30 A bone and wondered how it might work out.

Are they much lighter than a flat head or SBC? Are they dependable? Will they make any horsepower? Thanks for the help.

 

These engines look really cool fully polished.

 

My son and I are installing a 215 in a miata roadster with a t5 trans and 8.8 ford rear .


Karbz

 

Sick!



Hey nocents, they are definitely not worth messing with.

Send it to me for proper disposal.

 

there was a post about a week ago about a 215 Buick motor wich is basically the same.

 

I'm building one to run in a modified.

All dressed out they weigh a tad over 300 pounds.

There is a lot of stuff available to make these puppies sing. A basic rebuild with a cam and Edelbrock Rover intake will put you around 185-200 horse power. Enough for a Model A I would think. If you want more expect to come up off your billfold. Check D&D Fabrications http://www.aluminumv8.com to get an idea.

The 4 barrel Olds motors have the higher compression heads. Rover owners in Europe like the stock Olds/Buick 215 manifold because it looks factory and they typically sell for $75 on EBay.

Transmissions are an issue. The original hydroslush is not good for anything. D&D sells adapters for later GM automatic transmissions. I've got their 700R-4 adapter. If the tranny is a stick shift you can pitch it and use a T5 from a S10.

Do a web search for Buick, Olds and Rover 215 and 3.5.

 

Thanks, It looks like a definite maybe.

 

Watch out for electrolisis erosion in the water jackets.
If run with straight water instead of coolant during it's use it could be "light" on block metal.