I check out the Cadillac boards sometimes for info and came across Richard Potter of www.cadillacperformanceparts.com . Apparently Bulldog was going to make some alloy heads for the Caddy motors but is having problems delivering. http://www.cowboyseven.us/forum/index.php?topic=2098.0 http://www.cowboyseven.us/forum/index.php?topic=2061.0 Anyway, Richard, growing tired of waiting for the Bulldogs to come through has developed his own alloy Caddy heads and should have them out shortly. So I thought "Hmmmmmm..... I wonder if..." So, I sent him a message "Hi Richard, I've been following your info on the Caddy board about a new set of Caddy heads you're ginning up. I'm a Buick small block guy. Out of curiosity, what would it take to do the same for the Small block buick V8? That is the 215\300\340\350 and Rover V8's? There's an international market for something like this if it's done right. There are some Rover heads made in England that are nice, but WAY too expensive. http://www.roverv8engine.co.uk/index.htm http://www.espritv8.net/id34.htm http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=23471 What'cha think? Greg Williams" His response was: "Hi, what is way too expensive? How large do you think the market is? It usually takes about $2500 to develop and $18,000 for patterns." Well... if you show Richard some love, maybe the wheels will start turning... Greg
The main issue concerning a "universal" SBB head is the differing valve arrangements of the 350 vs the 215/300/340/Rover. To use a cylinder head with a Buick 350 valve arrangement on the Buick 215-340, and Rover blocks, you'd have to use a 350 cam (with slightly trimmed bearing journals) and a fabricated intake. For myself, this is not much of a problem (it would cost me a six pack of beer and some shop time). I suspect that the rest of the Rover and 1st-gen SBB world, being so unbelievably desperate for any reasonably priced aftermarket heads, would happily buy 350 cams to trim, and start fabricating intakes madly. I find it very revealing that there were 20+ bids for that last set of Wildcat Rover heads, and that they eventually sold for over $4600. To cover the entire spectrum of SBB displacements, there could be a couple differnet runner molds made. AFR does this with it's line of SBF Windsor heads. They use one cylinder head casting with four runner core molds (165cc, 185cc, 205cc, and 225cc). This completely covers the wide range of SBF displacements (260-400+ cid). The most common Buick/Rover displacements are 2.8" strokes at 215-240, the 3.4" strokers at 270-300, and the 3.85" stroke 340-350 blocks. You can't really stroke a Buick 350, so 355 cid is the reasonable max. That's three pretty distinct sizes. I think just two port volume options would cover it, as the 2.8" stroke motors can safely spin up fast enough to use the extra runner volume in a head sized for a healthy 270-300 displacement engine. I can see cottage industry manifold and cam kits popping up all over the place. I've got manifold jigs designed in my head already. Rick(wrench)
Great idea Greg!! :TU: I've been a member over there for a while......Potter is a good guy. Has definitely come thru for the Cadillac community!! He's making 2 difference versions of the Caddy 500" head.....one will be flat tappet and the other will be an offset rocker, full roller cam version. The latter will flow gangbusters!! :bglasses: :TU: Have you seen his 'boogeyman' intake, BTW?? Richard is a 'make it happen' kinda guy, from what I've seen. He'd certainly be the right guy for the job. So, for around $21k - we'd be in business.
I'd contribute to Santa or even his elves if they were making a SBB head!!! So if there is 100 of us that take a chance and commit that would be $210 each to get started. I'm in if the other 99 people are. I know there is other stuff in the works and Edelbrock is making a BBB head so that may be a good sign. I just haven't heard any details because I'm out of the loop I guess. How else are we gonna spank the BBC's and Turbo V6's? We neeed heads.
Question from Rich Potter: Richard Potter" <richard@cadillacperformanceparts.com> Hi, how many different size combustion chambers for all the combos? Thanks" Anybody care to answer this. At least he didn't say no.... Greg
I'd be happy with a 55cc chamber for a larger runner head. The guys running stock 215 and 240s would probably prefer around 30cc. Rick(wrench)
All we have to do is be sure what the 350" head CC is. I think the NASCAR site calls it 52 cc. Yeah, I'd be interested in 350" heads before the turn of the next century as well!
Greg, If this is a no bs post I'll be contacting Rich on Friday. I've been trying to get this done for over a year now and all I seem to get is "the bulldog shuffle". If he is serious about doing this - I'll put up the 25K to get this rolling!! NO BS!!!
Bill, this is a NO BS post.... If you can convince him the market out there will make his time and effort worthwhile, maybe something can get done. Greg
Richard Potter has done for Caddy enthusiasts as Mike T. has done for the Buick community. If it wasn't for a bizarre episode with his balancer coming off at the Engine Master's Challenge this year - you'd have most likely seen a Caddy 500" in the top 3. Here is his contact info: Richard Potter - Cadillac Perf. Parts P.O. Box 4514 Chattanooga TN, 37405 1-423-870-0752
Awesome, Bill!! We're behind you, Man! I just finished my (3rd) college degree. Money is right around the corner, and I'm game for this.
Shoot, I support what Bill says 100% :beer, If they make aluminum 350 heads that would make it awesome for us 350 guys, as well as the blower 350 guys :laugh: My $$$ is in if it is needed :beer
Isn't there a list here of people that have stated they would be "in" ? May be a good place to start. And Bill......ummmm WOW. Your offer is called "steppin' up" BIG TIME !!
