mgb-v8
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Buick Block with Olds Heads

To: <kdad@ezl.com>, <mgb-v8@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: Buick Block with Olds Heads
From: "james" <jamesnazarian@netzero.net>
Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 19:58:46 -0600
References: <3905.159.251.12.249.1022177345.squirrel@webmail.ezl.com>
Reply-to: "james" <jamesnazarian@netzero.net>
Sender: owner-mgb-v8@autox.team.net
Lets see how far I can get

> I recently purchased a 215 ci engine. It is suppose to be a buick block
> with olds heads. I read some articles that say you can't put olds heads on
> a buick 215 block due to an extra head bolt.

The olds used six per cylinder the buick used five.  If you have buick block
olds heads then there should be a few empty holes on the head.  I've heard
the buick block olds head combo won't work because you end up with painfully
low compression (see below).

> I have also read an article
> that says 1960 buicks, pontiacs, and olsmobile all used the 6 bolt heads.
I
> know the heads are Oldsmobile, because the valve covers have 5 bolts in
> them. Buick only used 4 on the valve covers. Is there an easy way to tell
> if the block is buick, or does it matter when ordering parts like alt
> brackets. I know the valve covers are different.

the casting is the same, the guts differ.  I'm pretty sure the head casting
is the same too, just with the extra hole drilled for olds.  Buick varried
compression ratio by altering combustion chamber volume, Olds did it by
altering piston dome.  The Pontiac is identical to the Buick.  Rover adapted
the Buick so the early Rover blocks are identical but within a few years
they took the block and added some stiffening ribs internally but are still
interchangable.  I don't know at what point things got different enough to
disallow interchanges.

> By the way anybody know
> where I can get the 5 bolt valve covers in aluminum?
> Arlie

can someone please confirm this my memory is not what it used to be :)

james

///
///  mgb-v8@autox.team.net mailing list
///  Send admin requests to majordomo@autox.team.net
///  Send list postings to mgb-v8@autox.team.net
///  Edit your replies!  If they include this trailer, they will NOT be sent.
///


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>