Hey, finall got some pennies in my build a car pile. I've been looking for a 401 Nailhead but in my search I've found a 215 pretty cheap. its the all alunimum 215 V-8 that Buick and Olds used from '61 - 63. So aside from being stout little 8's and being alunimum what else is there about these motors? They got any special tricks? Is there a place where I can look at the numbers to see what it came out of? My google fu isn't too strong lately. TIA, Rob
215 V-8 Hi Rob, Just logged onto and read your message, been busy witht my '53 Hudson Hornet restoration which I just completed (at least I hope so) and recently I purchased a 62 Skylark that I want to restore...If any one offered you any helpful information, I'd appreciate learning from you. I intend to rebuilt engine and transmission, suspension and maybe add disk brakes, presently car is running, but I just want to make a real nice one out of this 2 door hard top. Thanks, Ray kada9528@cox.net
i have a stick set up fro one of those as well. 62 special with a 215 in it. pedal and everything there yet.
Wow, you sure have a nice collection of Buick classic's. When I was younger I had a 63 Riviera and I really enjoyed it, also had 49 Roadmaster, 53 Super, 41 Buick, and some other's. Presently only have '53 Hornet and want to resore my 62 Skylark which is already a straight running car, ut I want to make it better. Ray
215 stuff. Hi, those are neat little motors and work very well. Range Rove liked them so much that they bought the rights from GM. They were used in many different cars for racing due to the weight. I know that the Olds and the Buick are different, and the turbo olds block is supposed to be a stronger piece (thicker webbing?) CHeck on the small block forum, they also deal in these motors. There is a place that specializes in these and offers all sorts of performance stuff but I can't remember thier name. Good luck.
Hi, Thanks for reply...I really like and can't wait to restore '62 Skylark...Today, I attended a great classic car show in Henderson, Nevada. Can't believe the condition of these cars, some of the owners should be hired by Detroit for creativeness, design and overall performance, saw a 49 Buick Roadmaster that was gem quality, too bad the battery in my camera went dead otherwise I would took pictures and posted for viewing pleasure. Thanks for the tip I'll start to check small block forum, looking for somebody/supplier who makes a disc brake kit with bosster and master cylinder, purchased a chrome platted alternator yesterday. Have a good night, Ray
Ahhhh the old Rover V8...thats the motor developed for Buick right??? ok these things are nice sturdy lil motors that came as 3.5L,3.9L and SOME 4.2L... they are not they torq-iest of motors but they can develop some serious bhp.. there is a place in UK that carry every single hi-po part ya can think of..... they are called Real Steel..their # is +44 1895440505 i have a friend with a rebuilt Rover 3.5 which has had no other work except a very mild hurricane cam n lifters...and that thing is pushing 220bhp... with no other mods....theres tons of carb options available,lots of potential in the heads,etc etc... basically the only rule of thumb is that old adage..."speed costs,how fast d'you wanna pay?" hipo parts aren't cheap...to be honest you could build 2 x 350 chebbys for the cost of makin one hipo Rover.....but the rover is a strong,reliable hipo motor and weighs 2/3rds less than a cheb... Rovers???personally i like em, but hey, i'm sick of seeing 350 combos in every single car at the shows... hell what bout all the other great engines out there?? i dont believe in the "ford in a ford biz, but hey i dont see the point of "chebby in ANYTHING" thats why i'm rebuilding a hipo 351 cleveland for my aluminum bodied 'A' roadster pickem up...jus had to be a non-bow-tie motor..ok i'll get of the soap box now...lol... take it easy you guys j
215 V-8 Skylark Engine Thanks for your e-mail reply with your thoughts, recommendation and supplier information...I've been talking to several suppliers and feel I have all the parts located to start engine rebuild, your words of wisdom are appreciated. Ray
215 cube Make sure the engine has not been overheated. Big problems when that engine got hot. Check for warped heads. Other than that, it's not a bad engine.
The V8 Rovers (buick 215) are a great base to build from, small, light and high revving. They make good horsepower and there are numerous hi-po parts out there for them. There are also other derivatives such as the 4.4litre Leyland motor that they made in Australia in the 70's, a small engine with taller deck height and longer stroke than the rover/buick, but it made 200bhp from about 255 cid. I'm more into the 4wd use of them but in know of others in the road perf side of things, if you want some links from down under let me know. A guy in know in Wellingon NZ did an awsome 5 litre stoker from a 3.5 litre rover (215cid), got a link for that somewhere. Kevin
Alunimum 215 Hi Kevin, Thanks for your message and input, I keep in my reference file. Have a good day, Ray
