Does anyone have a distributor or cast aluminum valve covers for even fire 231 Buick, 1978-87? I’ve heard that cast covers from turbo(?) and front wheel drive 4 bolt heads work. I’ve read that the odd-fire covers have a difference in a corner that may or may not seal for the evenfire engines, so avoiding that route unless known that the covers has sealing surface for both. Thanks, Chuck
Yes, the Front wheel drive cast aluminum valve covers from around 84-86 will FIT... But the oil fill goes to the passenger side, with the vent to the breather still on the passenger side. I ***THINK *** that I may have a spare pair in the 'warehouse' storage barn, not certain, as I haven't had any need for them in several years... I used them on a strange project... Also there are reproduction timing covers that are universal design for both the 14 bolt (Two bolts flat front pan; 85 and earlier Buick v-6 and Buick 350) and 20 bolt (Three bolts triangular front pan late 85 through 87 for sure)... I had one of them that I could NOT get the OE distributor to fit in mesh with the oil pump drive. Just a heads up. PM me if interested.
Thanks Buizila (love the name, great minds think alike) but I need valve covers. Unless this is about a shorter housing to move the fuel pump back some. Thanks, Chuck (Buick V6 in Porsche 914, thus Buische)
D'OH!!! LOL......what the hell was I reading? Obviously not what u wrote. Sorry about that Chuck and good luck with ur search
You would need to be more specific in the distributor years as the internal operation changed over time with computer controls. Early style had vacuum advance, HEI, etc. Later were CCC and CCCC computer operated advance. Also, the valve covers CAN be used in standard fitment, but the vent would be at the back of the driver's side...
I see, Steve. I am non-ECM on this car. Basic distributor is what I need. I guess the question I should be asking is what distributor can be used with a 1980-ish housing and cam. HEI is fine, but smaller footprint would be beneficial for in-chassis repairs. I got out of cars before the electronic age got deep into street hot rods. I don’t want to deal with that crap. Two friends are into Megasquirt for their turbo Regals. I’m excited for them, but uninterested. I have a neighbor with an LS conversion and all I hear is him starting the engine, reving, then shutting off. Working on the calibration. Yawn. Will he ever get to drive it???
Yeah, HEI gets TIGHT even on a stock manifold in a BUICK, much less a porch... UMMM, Por-shay,, Por-SHHH!
Larry- Love that wheelie in your profile pic! What was in that (GS?)? I looked at the pic, are these dirty or is the surface damaged? Was a single vc hole typical? Not sure where to put PCV valve. Still much to learn about my new friend on the stand. Thanks, Chuck
You can take a cast valve cover to a machine shop to mill out the area for a PCV valve hole and grommet.
Steve-I believe the proper way to say it is Poor-shuh. I don’t really know, but that’s what I heard. I should probably find out so I don’t double offend true Porsche lovers. The Buische is enough to turn up noses, I suspect. Don’t need to add fuel to the fire.
I have an HEI distributor in my 225 out of a Jeep. Will the housing and gear from this early V6 re-introduction to Buick cars for the updated 231 even-fire hosing and cam. Is it as simple for me as reusing the distributor with an even fire cap? I’m thinking not, but am not finding a clear answer in web searches for either question. Thanks, Chuck
The early odd-fire distributors use a different diameter shaft bushing hole size for the split pin, different diameter drive gear bushing size hole for the split pin, the rotor 'star' points are different (to match with the cap), and the cap itself is different. . In a nutshell, NOPE it won't work.
thought I had a couple v/cvr's - nope - sold 'em last swap . do have a couple V6 dist's . a '82 and '83 out of a regal(s) . both were 4.1/252 , 4bbl carb , both dist's have 2 electrical connections - 1 flat 4 , one dif . can't remember 100% on the vac adv . I stripped a couple cars , other small misc motor parts also . probably a few FWD things also mixed in . i'll post a couple pics after work . edit : couple pics . yeah first 2 looks like no vac adv , #3 ? will have to dbl check . edit : dbl checked - all 3 the same looks like .
Thanks for the offer, but those don’t have vacuum advance and I’m guessing because they are from a computer car that handles the cruise advance. The electronics are not compatible with my non computer setup, I am guessing again. So I don’t think I can use them. Thanks, Chuck
Didn't the V-6 switch from Odd-Fire to Even-Fire during the 1979 model year? That would leave the second half of '79 production and the '80 (non California) as the only choices for an even fire HEI distributor that had a vacuum advance can.
I believe the changeover happened in the middle of the 1977 model year from what I’ve seen. Your point still stands otherwise.
