The orginal Buick V8 and the first Rover V8 (P5B-P6 Rovers) were
interchangable. It wasn't til the later versions that the casting were
changed slightly in the web area. Even then, a very large quantity of the
internal components are interchangable.
The biggest reason GM dropped the aluminum V8 was cost of production,
not quality problems. The head warpage problem that was supposedly so
prevelant was as much a function of the less than optimum cooling system
as any inherent design flaws. If you've ever looked at a 61-63 Buick
Special, you'll notice that the top radiator tank is only slightly higher
than the highest water carrying point in the head. IF the water level got
a little too low, air bubbles could be trapped in the head, leading to
localized overheating, boiling out more water, which led to a larger
void, etc,etc,etc.
Incidentaly, this was one of the big problems with the Vega, of Glorious
Memory.
I doubt that the 63 Buick 3100 series engine was under-powered, compared
to the first Rovers. The problem being two different HP ratings were
used, and there aint no way to convert from one to the other. The 3100
series engine was rated at 200 HP, with the 11:1 compression ratio and
single 4V Rochester 4GC carburator. But that was 200 GROSS HP, not the
SAE Net HP figures used in later evaluations.
In fact it's hard, just by looking at advertised HP figures to compare
Rover versions. The unit installed in the original MGB V8 was rated at
145 HP, while the Triumph version calls out about 10 more. Rover Vitesse
engines were rated as high as 185 in the 3.5L guise.
It has as much to do with the engine variables as anything. Different
cam specs, induction, exhaust, Valve sizing, compression ratios, etc. can
make all the difference in the world.
When we rebuilt the race engine in our Rover SD1, we spec'ed the "63
Buick 3100 series pistons, as they had the highest compression ratio
availible "over the counter".
Many other internal components are Buick, as opposed to Rover, many times
because we have found that the local parts houses, if asked for a Rover
part, don't have it in stock, but if you ask for the Buick item, Yeah,
they got that. Never mind that the manufacturers P/N is the same!
Rick Morrison
72 MGBGT
74 Midget
On Sat, 31 Jan 1998 17:56:06 EST MGMagnette@aol.com writes:
>People seem to be speaking as if the Rover and Buick V8s were
>interchangable
>or something. Buick didn't ditch that engine after only a few years
>for no
>reason. Buick versions are low on horsepower and high on headwarpage.
> When
>Rover got ahold of the engine the upped the horsepower nearly 40
>horses. They
>also solved the head warp problem.
> The question I must ask though is, what Rover you gonna ruin for you
>MG?
>You can steal these engines out of Range Rovers all you want, I don't
>mind.
>BUT PLEASE, PLEASE... DO NOT destroy a P5B or a P6 (3500) to make a
>fast MG.
>You'd be just as happy with a normal MGB, and a nice restored Rover to
>drive
>to work.
> John
>
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