What's the Deal with the buick/Rover head for TA Performance?

Well not to belabor the obvious, the quickest and easiest solution, though certainly not the least expensive is an IR intake. Those that have been built for the 215 and such are independent one side from the other and so will bolt right up to the 300 or 340. They would also typically be of a larger bore size, having been developed for racing applications. You'd need a cover for the lifter valley of course.

Jim

 

any updates mike?:Brow:

 

Havent talked to dad about it in a while, I know its still rolling along though.

 

Looks like your patternmaker is a real artist... what is is name and contact info, if I may ask?

Thanks,

Wes

 

Hey Mike, if it is not too late, could I suggest adding a SBC valve cover pattern to the new heads. Many Rover guys are using SBC valve covers with an adapter plate bolted to the heads. The aftermarket supply of Buick 215 aluminum valve covers sucks and the Chevy covers are SO close.

This will help guys running roller rockers too, as tall SBC covers already exist (and are cheap). Otherwise we will have to custom fab covers or use the adapter plates (only availble overseas).

Just a thought........

Brian

 

But then they could not sell you expensive TA valvecovers.....

 

What keeps you from drilling new bolt holes in SBC covers? Personally I don't like them. I had to get my boat SBC valve covers ridiculously tight before they would stop leaking, and I'm talking about, drip, drip, drip, not a seeping problem.

 

Rover aluminum covers work fine.

 

Im not sure what your talking about, Im having a hard time finding Cast Aluminum, not stamped steel, Chevy valve covers for much less than ours, not to mention that they have 12x as many made as we do so their cost surely is much less than ours. In some cases they're even more than ours.

 

There are only 2 known sources for 215 valve covers. Offy's and O'brien Truckers. Offy's have the weird "canted" style that I personally do not care for, and O'brien's covers are $$$ and have no provisions for breathers or filler caps (more $$$ for machining)

The Rover covers are not the most attractive choice IMO, but can be had cheap off Ebay.

Now sbc valve covers can be had at any speed shop in North America, in whatever style you could ever dream of. Finned, billet, chromed steel, powder coated, etc........

I'm sensing some attitude from the 350 crowd for getting the Rover stuff produced before your 350 parts. :ball: It's just a smart marketing decision from T/A....Rover/215 = worldwide demand, 350 = North Amercan demand only. Do the math....


So, Mike....is it too late?

Brian

 

Talked to him and he said he'll think about/look into it, that it sounds like a good idea.

Another update: The water jacket is pretty much done, dad has pictures somewhere that I'll put up when I get.

 

There are others:



Also:

http://www.drysump.com/valvcvr6.htm

http://www.popbrowns.co.uk/products2.html



Greg

 

Alrighty everyone, everything is moving along nicely. We stopped by and had a quick discussion and are having a few little changes made before the pattern goes to the foundry in about 2 weeks if all goes well :beers2:











Here's the water jacket















Now with the Intake and exhaust runners in place

 

all so pretty:Brow:

 

mike / TA : any rough guesstimate on 350 s/p intake $$ ? thanks . del

 

Saw this link on another board:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROVER-V8-RACI...trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1689|293:1|294:50

Cool huh....

Greg

 

ANY UPDATES?

ALSO, what is the feasibility of making these heads work on a Buick 350, IF I made a custom intake, and had a custom cam made?


If not so feasible, WHY? What are the factors that would cause this freight train in it's tracks?

I am just asking because I called the other day, and the receptionist just gave me a "NO they wont", without any explination... Please, elaborate

 

The pattern is at the foundry, waiting to hear back when the first prototype is done.

Honestly I dont know enough to give you an answer, and from the sounds of it the lady you talked to was Lana so of course neither would she (sorry if she was rude when telling you).

 

she wasn't really rude.. it was the end of the day on *i think* a Friday.. So I think it was more of not having anyone with more knowledge to ask.


That's great to hear about the progress... I imaging you guys are going to cut a few heads up to check for core shift, etc.... When that is all said and done, and they appear consistant, is there any possibility of posting pictures of the intake and exhaust port crosssections? That way the home porters out there will have an Idea of what they'll have to work with, rather than finding out the hard way.
o No: ray: ray: :TU: :grin:

 

There's a thread on here somewhere with an in-depth analysis of the differences between the 340 and 350 blocks. The gist of it is that the cam lobe centers aren't quite the same and the biggest variation is at the engine center, something like 3/8" as best I recall but it was enough that the lifters wouldn't be happy with the blank out of the other engine. The reason this was done was to get the pushrods around the intake passages. Now it's just possible that you could cut the pushrod holes enough to get clearance and run the rod at a slight angle, but it might put you really close to breaking through. Still if it was only a couple places on each head it might be worth a little build up.

Personally I think one of you 350 guys should give it a go, and Mike Jr would be the prime candidate. But hey, that's just my opinion.

Jim B

http://www.v8buick.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1249434

Check out the last few posts.