I know it is off the normal path, but among car guys it is all the same. Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile (and later Rover) aluminum V8's. I am looking for any info you all could share I am sure some of you remember these. I have found a 1963' 4 barrel high compression Oldsmobile all aluminum 215ci 200hp /240 ft lbs version for $500 with a tranny and accessories in good condition. Good deal? I have a clean 88' 4runner that needs to loose the 4 banger and a SBC is too heavy (320lbs vs. 550+). This motor from all my research seems like a natural fit for a V8 junkie's daily driven gas conscious 4x4. It's GM, sounds good, light, powerful (for its displacement and weight), and is just neat. I also think a 4.3L TBI would work great on it. I know I own a Toyota:boring:, but the top comes off and I can haul my dogs and it is a great get around and off road play rig other than the power plant belongs on a weed whacker. Does anybody know if the rear bell housing bolt pattern is the same as a SBC or a later model Buick V6?? If it is this is going to be easy:), if it isn't it will just be that much more fun:D. Thanks for the input guys!

If I recall the aluminum engine has it's own strange bellhousing pattern. Also the olds heads are different from the buick and the Olds has a few more headbolts.

Please contact David Ray!! "IGNITIONMAN/IMAN" to us here on the Boards and please tell him ol' pdq67 sent you asking about the little-bitty lightweight aluminum jewels!

At one time I had two, a Buick and an Olds! The Olds had the 2-barrel "hat" Turbo intake on it and fwiw, I still have the Buick's AFB intake b/c I just flat don't have the heart to scrap it for the price of aluminum. You want it, make me an offer!!

pdq67

PS., I think you can B&S them to 300"s!!! And use the 300" engine's aluminum heads.

Paul,

My local State Rep has a Triumph TR-8, same engine family. He and I were talking...I cannot recall all the details but without big boring and a Rover crank, 302". That would make 'the wedge' TR-8 get-up-and-go!

I think I still have an old mag. that tell's everything there is that need's to be done to the 215" to get it up to 300"s.

I know IMAN know's how to do it b/c we've chatted at length about them..

pdq67

I am just fascinated right now about this little motor and its history! It is the small block Chevy of the UK. This means it should definitely be a fun learning experience with plenty of support, parts and information available. Except now I am like that guy across the pond trying to find a Chevelle part when he owns the only one in a 500 mile radius and we have 3 or 4 laying out back. If any one else is interested here are some great links on building and history of this little motor. http://www.aluminumv8.com/index.htm http://www.roversd1.nl/sd1web/exhausttuning.html

Dave built both a Buick and a Rover for me years ago, when he still lived in Southern California. The Buick had a 300 crankshaft and special sleeves, with small block Chevy rods and pistons. 302 cu/in. The Rover he built for me is a cross bolted main 4.6 block, and it is stellar. It is 310 cu/in, Australian Leyland P76 3-1/2 inch stroke crank, narrowed CAT H beam small block Chevy rods, 305 Chevy pistons, Crower cam and lifters, dual row timing chain, extensively massaged 1964 300 Buick aluminum heads with later Corvair valves, highly modified Rover TPI, with Mustang injector nozzles, bored Z28 throttle body, Holley EFI controller. Both engines weigh between 320 and 335 lbs fully together.These two things just rock and roll.

Regards,

Milton

Mike,
I did the one in these pictures close to 15 years ago. It has close to 100k miles on it and is still running strong. It is about 265 cu in, we put large sleeves in the block, but used the stock crank. I have kept in touch with the customer and he was in a few days ago. He is freshening up the entire car and is thinking about a stroker crank for more power.

That being said, I dont know if it would be my first choice for what you are doing. I would swap in a Toyota V-6 instead.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/Dave_Ferris_TR7_a.JPG

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/Daves_TR7.JPG

Had a buddy in high school (late 70's) who put one of the little 215's into a Vega witha 4-speed. That was a pretty sweet set up. My uncle owns a 1-owner Triumph TR8, which is also a sweet runner.

A member of our neighborhood car club has a very nice '62 Olds F85 Cutlass with an aluminum 215. Originally backed up with a Jetaway 2-speed, Warren swapped in a T10. Over the winter he has swapped in a 5-speed and 4-wheel disk brakes.

They were selling those things with turbos back in 62/63!

The Olds 215 horsepower 215 had the very same Borg-Warner turbo and Carter YF side draft carb that the turbo Corvair's used. The same YF side draft carbs were also used on the 1953 and 1954 Corvette Blue Flame 235 cu/in I6.

Regards,

Milton