Buick V8 engine

Last updated
Buick V8 engine
1964 Buick Wildcat 445 engine (401ci Nailhead).jpg
401 cu in "Nailhead" in a 1964 Buick Wildcat
Overview
Manufacturer Buick (General Motors)
Also calledFireball V8
(nickname)
Nailhead (1953–1966)
Production1953 (1953)–1981 (1981) Buick City
(engine block and heads)
Saginaw Metal Casting Operations
Layout
Configuration 90º V8
Displacement 215–455 cu in (3.5–7.5 L)
Cylinder bore 3.5–4.31 in (88.9–109.5 mm)
Piston stroke 2.8–3.9 in (71.1–99.1 mm)
Cylinder block materialCast iron, Aluminum
Cylinder head materialCast iron, Aluminum
Valvetrain OHV 2 valves x cyl.
Compression ratio 8.8:111.0:1
Combustion
Turbocharger In 1962-63 Oldsmobile Cutlass only
Fuel system Carter AFB or Rochester carburetors
Fuel typeGasoline
Cooling system Water-cooled
Output
Power output 150–360 hp (112–268 kW)
Torque output 220–510 lb⋅ft (298–691 N⋅m)
Dimensions
Dry weight 318–467 lb (144–212 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor Buick straight-eight
Successor

The Buick V8 is a family of V8 engines produced by the Buick division of General Motors (GM) between 1953 and 1981. All were naturally aspirated OHV pushrod engines, except for a turbocharged version of the Oldsmobile Jetfire 215.

Contents

The Buick V8 family can be divided into four groups: the first (1953–1956) and second (1957–1966) generation Nailhead, the 1961–1980 small-block, and the 1967–1976 big-block. The classification of 'big-block' or 'small-block' refers to the engine block's external dimensions, not displacement.

Some Buick V8s, such as the 350, 400, and 455, have the same displacements as V8s of other GM divisions, but they are entirely different designs. Buick Nailhead V8s can be distinguished by the top surfaces of their valve covers being horizontal (parallel to the ground). Later Buick small- and big-block V8s have a front-mounted distributor tilted to the drivers side (like Cadillacs), but siamesed center exhaust ports (unlike Cadillacs).

Buick "Nailhead" V8 (first generation)

The 322 Fireball V8 in a 1956 Buick Century 1956 Buick 322 V8 engine (Century), left side view.jpg
The 322 Fireball V8 in a 1956 Buick Century

Buick's first generation V8 was offered from 1953 through 1956; it replaced the Buick straight-eight. While officially called the "Fireball V8" [1] by Buick, it became known by enthusiasts as the "Nailhead" for the unusual vertical alignment of its small-sized valves (Originally it was known to hot-rodders as the "nail valve", because the engine's small heads contained valves with long stems, which made them look like nails.) [2]

During this era, Buick ranked smoothness above most other marketing objectives, and the Dynaflow transmission's non-shifting design was demonstrably smoother than the other rough shifting automatics then available. With the Dynaflow, a high torque engine was needed to provide adequate acceleration, so that's what the Nailhead was designed to deliver.

Both the intake and exhaust valves were on the intake manifold side of a "pent-roof combustion chamber". To offset restrictive port diameters and the smaller-sized valves [1.75 in (44 mm) intake, 1.25 in (32 mm) exhaust], the Nailhead V8s used a camshaft with greater lift and duration. The small-diameter intake runners allowed these engines to develop high torque, with many exceeding 1 ft-lb/cu in (exceptional for the time).

All of the nailhead engines share a 4.75 in (121 mm) bore spacing.

264

The 264 cu in (4.3 L) produced in 1954 and 1955 was a direct replacement for the 263 straight-eight and the only engine available in Buick's economy "Special" series vehicles. The was the smallest displacement Nailhead, sharing stroke and deck height with the 322, but having its own smaller bore 3.625 in (92.1 mm).

322

The larger 322 cu in (5.3 L) was the original Nailhead, used by Buick from 1953 through 1956 in the Roadmaster, Super, and Century models, and the Special in 1956. It has a bore and stroke of 4 in × 3.2 in (101.6 mm × 81.3 mm).

The 322 was also used in the 1956 through 1957 10,000-Series conventional-cab Chevrolet heavy duty trucks labeled as the Loadmaster.

Buick "Nailhead" V8 (second generation)

Buick's second variation of the "Nailhead" was produced from 1957–1966. The "Fireball" name was dropped after 1957, but the 264 was very briefly called the "B-12000", referring to the 12,000 foot pounds generated by each piston. [3]

364

Buick, like most of its competitors, continued to expand their V8 engine to larger displacements. The 364 cu in (6.0 L) was introduced in 1957 and produced through 1961, with a 4.125 by 3.4 inches (104.8 mm × 86.4 mm) (bore by stroke). The Special series cars came standard with the 250 hp (186 kW) two-barrel carburetor version, where all other models got the 300 hp (224 kW) four-barrel engine.

401 (400)

1963 401 Buick V8 1963 Buick 401 Nailhead.jpg
1963 401 Buick V8

The 364 was enlarged to 401 cu in (6.6 L) and produced from 1959 to 1966. Originally a 401, it was later redesignated a 400 to meet 1960s GM directives for maximum allowable engine displacements in mid-size cars. Bore and stroke were enlarged to 4.1875 by 3.64 inches (106.36 mm × 92.46 mm) respectively.

The 401/400 became Buick's muscle car powerplant of choice, used in the company's Skylark Gran Sport, Buick Sport Wagon and Buick Wildcat models, among others. The engine was variously designated the Wildcat 375, Wildcat 410, and Wildcat 445 depending on the torque each version produced. The Wildcat 410 was the two-barrel carbureted engine, standard on the 1962-63 LeSabre. The Wildcat 375 was a no-cost option for the 1962-63 LeSabre that used a lower compression ratio to run on lower-octane fuel. The various Wildcat engines had decals on their air cleaners indicating their version; however, the four-barrel edition of the 1966-67 small-block Buick 340 V8 was also labeled Wildcat 375 on its air cleaner, but was not a Nailhead.

The Wildcat 445, with a single four-barrel carburetor, was the standard engine in the Invicta, 1959-1966 Electra, 1962–1966 Buick Wildcat, 1963 Riviera, and 1965 Riviera (the 1964 and 1966 Riviera models used the 425 with a single four-barrel carburetor, labeled Wildcat 465, as standard equipment).

In an effort to overcome the restrictive exhaust-port design of the Nailhead, Buick drag racing enthusiasts in the 1960s adapted superchargers with a custom camshaft to feed intake air in through the exhaust ports; the larger intake ports became the exhaust outlets.

425

Super Wildcat 425 cu in (7.0 L) 390 hp (291 kW) engine Super Wildcat 425ci 390hp Engine.jpg
Super Wildcat 425 cu in (7.0 L)390 hp (291 kW) engine

The 425 cu in (7.0 L) was produced from 1963 to 1966. Its bore and stroke measured 4.3125 by 3.64 inches (109.54 mm × 92.46 mm). The largest-displacement version of the Nailhead, it began as an option on the 1963 Riviera, and was later available on the Wildcat and Electra models. The 1964 and 1966 Rivieras used the 425 engine as standard equipment. Mounted on a trolley, Buick 425s were also used as starter motors for the SR-71 Blackbird supersonic jet. [4]

Four-barrel carburetion was standard on the basic 425, called the Wildcat 465 for the torque (as measured in lb-ft) it developed. The Super Wildcat (Regular Production Option {RPO}-coded Y48) was available on the 1964 Riviera as a factory option (2,122 produced), 1964 Electras (any model, production numbers unknown), 1965 Riviera Gran Sport and 1966 Wildcat GS, which included two four-barrel carburetors and matching intake manifold. Coded "MW", these parts were delivered in the car's trunk for dealer installation. Toward the end of the 1966 model year, around May 1966, Buick offered the Super Wildcat 465 with factory-installed dual four-barrel Carter AFB carburetors as an "MZ" option. Only 179 of the 1966 Riviera GS cars were built with the MZ package.

Buick small block

215

See also Rover V8 engine
215 cu in (3.5 L) engine in a MGA 215 Buick in MGA (9045881524).jpg
215 cu in (3.5 L) engine in a MGA

In 1961, Buick unveiled an entirely new small V8 engine with aluminum cylinder heads and cylinder block. Lightweight and powerful, the aluminum V8 also spawned a turbocharged version, (only in the 1962–63 Oldsmobile Jetfire), which together with the turbocharged Corvair Spyder, also introduced in 1962, were the first ever offered in passenger cars. It became the basis of a highly successful cast iron V6 engine, the Fireball. The all-aluminum V8 engine was dropped after the 1963 model year, but was replaced with a very similar cast-iron block, aluminum head version for one year, and then in all-iron versions. Bore spacings for all variants of the SBB are 4.24 in (107.7 mm).

History

GM experimented with aluminum engines starting in the early 1950s. Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) was pushing all automakers to use more aluminum. An early-development supercharged version of the 215-cubic-inch (3.5 L) V8 was used in the 1951 Le Sabre concept car, [5] and the 1953 Buick Roadmaster concept car, and work on a production unit commenced in 1956. Originally intended for 180-cubic-inch (2.9 L) displacement, Buick was designated by GM as the engine design leader and decided to begin with a larger, 215-cubic-inch (3.5 L) size, which was deemed ideal for the new senior compact cars introduced for the 1961 model year. This group of cars was commonly referred to as the B-O-P group for Buick-Olds-Pontiac or the Y-bodies.

Known variously as the Fireball and Skylark by Buick (and as Rockette, Cutlass, and Turbo-Rocket by Oldsmobile), [6] the 215 had a 4.24 in (107.7 mm) bore spacing, a bore and a stroke of 3.5 in × 2.8 in (88.9 mm × 71.1 mm), for an actual displacement of 215.51 cu in (3,532 cc). At the time, the engine was the lightest mass-production V8 in the world, with a dry weight of only 318 lb (144 kg). Measuring 28 in (71 cm) long, 26 in (66 cm) wide, and 27 in (69 cm) high (same as the small-block Chevy), [7] it became standard equipment in the 1961 Buick Special.

Oldsmobile and Pontiac each used an all-aluminum 215 on its senior compact cars, the Oldsmobile F-85, Cutlass, and Jetfire, and Pontiac Tempest and LeMans. Pontiac used the Buick version of the 215. At that time the engine was closely associated with the Buick brand, and Pontiac sold few cars with it, using it only in 1961 and 1962. The Oldsmobile version of this engine, although sharing the same basic architecture, had cylinder heads and angled valve covers designed by Oldsmobile engineers to look like a traditional Olds V8 and was produced on a separate assembly line. Among the differences between the Oldsmobile and Buick versions was weight, being somewhat heavier, at 350 lb (160 kg). The major design differences were in the cylinder heads. Buick used a five-bolt pattern around each cylinder, while Oldsmobile used a six-bolt pattern and a wedge combustion chamber, which allowed larger valves. The sixth bolt was added to the intake manifold side of the head, one extra bolt for each cylinder, intended to alleviate a head-warping problem on high-compression versions. This meant that Buick heads would fit on Oldsmobile blocks, but not vice versa. Changing the compression ratio on an Oldsmobile 215 required changing the heads, but on a Buick 215, only the pistons were changed, which was less expensive and simpler. For that reason, the more common Buick version (which looks like a traditional Nailhead V8) has emerged as more desirable to some.[ citation needed ] The Oldsmobile wedge-shaped/quench combustion chambers/pistons are more compatible with modern low-octane/low-lead motor fuels than the Buick 'hemispherical'-shaped combustion chambers and domed pistons.[ citation needed ] The previous statement is incorrect, the 215 Buick only used "dished head" pistons even in the highest compression models, all Buick 215's have a 37-cc wedge combustion chamber. Later Rover versions of the aluminum block and subsequent Buick iron small-block 300s with aluminum, then iron heads, 34 (0 and 350 with iron heads) went to a four-bolt-per-cylinder pattern. [8]

At introduction, Buick's 215 was rated 150 hp (112 kW) at 4400 rpm. [9] [10] This was raised soon after introduction to 155 hp (116 kW) at 4,600 rpm. 220 lb⋅ft (298 N⋅m) of torque was produced at 2,400 rpm with a Rochester 2GC (DualJet) two-barrel carburetor and 8.8:1 compression ratio. A mid-year introduction was the Buick Special Skylark version, which had 10.0:1 compression and a four-barrel carburetor, raising output to 185 hp (138 kW) at 4,800 rpm and 230 lb⋅ft (312 N⋅m) at 2,800 rpm.

For 1962, the four-barrel-equipped engine's compression ratio was increased to 10.25:1 and horsepower to 190 hp (142 kW) at 4,800 rpm and 235 lb⋅ft (319 N⋅m) at 3,000 rpm. The two-barrel engine was unchanged. For 1963, the four-barrel was bumped to 11.0:1 compression and an even 200 hp (149 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 240 lb⋅ft (325 N⋅m) at 3,200 rpm, 0.93 hp (0.7 kW)/cu in. The higher output "Power Pack" was equipped with higher lift camshaft .0.518" intake/ 0.523" exhaust with increased duration 305/310 and required 99 research octane fuel.

The great expense of the aluminum engine led to its cancellation after the 1963 model year. [10] The engine had an abnormally high scrap ratio due to hidden block-casting porosity problems, [10] which caused serious oil leaks. Another problem was clogged radiators from antifreeze mixtures incompatible with aluminum. [10] It was said that one of the major problems was because the factory had to make extensive use of air gauging to check for casting leaks during the manufacturing process and was unable to detect leaks on blocks that were as much as 95% complete. [10] This raised the cost of complete engines to more than that of a comparable all cast-iron engine. Casting-sealing technology was not advanced enough at that time to prevent the high scrap rates. [10]

The 215's very high power-to-weight ratio made it immediately interesting for automobile and boat racing. Mickey Thompson entered a stock-block 215-powered car in the 1962 Indianapolis 500. From 1946-1962, there had not been a single stock-block car in this race. In 1962, the 215 was the only non-Offenhauser-powered entry in the field. [10] Rookie driver Dan Gurney qualified eighth and raced well for 92 laps before retiring with transmission problems. [10]

Surplus engine blocks of the Oldsmobile F85 version formed the basis of the Australian Formula One Repco V8 [10] used by Brabham to win the 1966 Formula One world championship, although only the earliest engines had any Oldsmobile components. [10] The majority of Repco RB620 engines were cast and built in-house at Repco. [10]

Rights to these engines were purchased by the British Rover Company and used in the 1967 Rover P5B that replaced the 3 L straight six Rover engined P5. Throughout the years, the Rover Company (which became part of British Leyland in 1968), and its successor companies constantly improved the engine making it much stronger and more reliable. Capacities ranged from 3.5 to 5.0 L (215 to 307 cu in). This engine was used for V8 versions of the MGB GT known as the GTV8. Rover also used the engine in the 1970 Range Rover. Morgan used the Rover version in its Plus 8. [11] American 215s have also been engine swapped into countless other platforms, especially Chevrolet Vegas [12] and later British cars including the MG RV8 in the 1990s, [13] Triumph TR8, and various sports sedans and sports cars by the MG Rover Group and specialist manufacturers such as TVR. The engine remains well-supported by enthusiast clubs, specialist parts suppliers, and by shops that specialize in conversions and tuning.

In the mid-1980s, hot rodders realized the 215 could be stretched to as much as 305 cu in (5.0 L), using the Buick 300 crankshaft, new cylinder sleeves, and an assortment of non-Buick parts. [14] It could also be fitted with high-compression cylinder heads from the Morgan Plus 8. Using the 5 liter Rover block and crankshaft, a maximum displacement of 317.8 cu in (5.2 L) is theoretically possible. [15]

300

A 300 ci Buick V8 in a 1967 Skylark. 1967 300ci Buick V8 engine in a Skylark.jpg
A 300 ci Buick V8 in a 1967 Skylark.

In 1964, Buick replaced the 215 with an iron-block engine of very similar architecture. The new "small block" engine had a bore of 3.75 in (95.3 mm) and a stroke of 3.4 in (86.4 mm) for a displacement of 300-cubic-inch (4.9 L). It retained the aluminum cylinder heads, intake manifold, and accessories of the 215 for a dry weight of 405 lb (184 kg). The 300 was offered in two-barrel form, with 9.0:1 compression, making 210 hp (157 kW) at 4600 rpm and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m) at 2400 rpm, and four-barrel form, with 11.0:1 compression, making 250 hp (186 kW) at 4800 rpm and 355 lb⋅ft (481 N⋅m) at 3000 rpm.

For 1965, the 300 switched to cast-iron heads, raising dry weight to 467 lb (212 kg), still quite light for a V8 engine of its era. The four-barrel option was cancelled for 1966, and the 300 was replaced entirely by the 350 in 1968.

In 1964, while nearly all Buick engines were painted "Buick Late Green", the 300ci V8s were painted Silver instead. In 1966 Buick engines switched to "Buick Late Red", but until 1967 at least, the 300 V8 (and the 225) were still painted Buick Late Green. [16] The Apollo 5000 GT sports car, (also sold as the Vetta Ventura) used this engine.

340

In 1966, the 300's stroke was increased to 3.85 in (97.8 mm) in a raised block to create the 340 (340 cu in (5.6 L)) as a replacement for the four-barrel-carbureted 300. The taller deck (raised by 0.5625 in (14.3 mm) compared to the 215/300's) meant the intake manifold was of a new design to bolt to the otherwise interchangeable cylinder heads.

It was offered with two- or four-barrel carburetion, the two-barrel with a 9.0:1 compression rated at 220 hp (164 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 340 lb⋅ft (461 N⋅m) at 2,400 rpm, and the four barrel with 10.25:1 compression, rated at 260 hp (194 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 375 lb⋅ft (508 N⋅m) at 2,800 rpm. It was only produced through 1967, being replaced by the new small block 350 cu in (5.7 L) in 1968.

350

A 350 in a 1969 Buick Gran Sport 1969 Buick GS 350 small-block V8 engine.jpg
A 350 in a 1969 Buick Gran Sport

Buick adopted the popular 350 cu in (5.7 L) size in 1968 for their final family of V8 engines, the 350, which was produced through 1980. Although it shared the displacement of the other GM small blocks, including the Chevrolet 350, Oldsmobile 350, and Pontiac 350 (although the Pontiac was technically a 354), the Buick blocks were of a substantially different proprietary company design. The Buick 350 featured the same 3.8 in (96.5 mm) bore as the 231 cu in (3.8 L) version of the Buick 90° V6 and retained the 3.85 in (97.8 mm) stroke of the previous 340 cu in (5.6 L) V8. The exact displacement is 349.31 cu in (5,724 cc).

The major differences of the 350 in comparison to other GM V8s are Buick's "deep-skirt" engine block construction, the use of cast iron with increased nickel content, an external oil pump, a forward-mounted distributor, under-square cylinder bore sizing, 3 in (76.2 mm) crankshaft main journals, and 6.385 in (162.2 mm) connecting rods. The Buick 350 also shares an integrated aluminum timing cover, which incorporates the oil pump mechanisms, leaving the oil filter exposed to oncoming air for added cooling. The engine garnered a reputation as rugged and durable, [17] and some of its design characteristics are found in other Buick-designed GM engines, such as the 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 and its 3800 descendants. Of all the GM "350s", the Buick has the longest piston stroke. This design characteristic made the engine significantly wider than the others — essentially the same as the Buick big-blocks, which have the shortest stroke of the GM big-blocks.

The 350 was used by Kaiser-Jeep and AMC Jeep in the Jeep Gladiator and Wagoneer models from 1968–71; [18] in these applications, the engine was billed as the Dauntless V8.

Applications:

Buick big block

Buick introduced a "big block" V8 in 1967 to replace the largest displacement nailheads. It retained a 4.75 in (120.7 mm) cylinder bore spacing, and was produced in three displacements, 400, 430, and 455, through 1976.

400

1969 Buick Grand Sport 400 Engine Buick400.jpg
1969 Buick Grand Sport 400 Engine

The 400-cubic-inch (6.6 L) was produced from 1967-1969. This engine has a bore and a stroke of 4.04 in × 3.9 in (102.6 mm × 99.1 mm). It was the only large V8 engine available for the intermediate-sized A-body Buicks due to the GM cubic inch limit restriction in effect through 1970. [32] Most parts except the pistons interchange with the 430 and 455. This 400 engine had the distributor towards the front of the engine, as opposed to the 401/400 nailhead, which had its near the firewall. [33]

430

1968 Wildcat 430 CID engine 07-1968 Wildcat Custom - Engine.jpg
1968 Wildcat 430 CID engine

The 430-cubic-inch (7.0 L) was only produced from 1967 until 1969. This engine had a bore and a stroke of 4.1875 in × 3.9 in (106.36 mm × 99.06 mm). The 430 four-barrel engine was rated at 360 hp (268 kW) and 475 lb⋅ft (644 N⋅m) of torque. This engine was used in large B-, C- and E-body Buicks. Most parts except the pistons interchange with the 400 and 455.

Applications:


455

Buick 455 V8 Buick 455 V8.JPG
Buick 455 V8
455 Stage I engine Buick 455 Stage I Engine.JPG
455 Stage I engine

The 400-based 455 cu in (7.5 L) was produced from 1970–1976, with a bore x stroke of 4.31 in × 3.9 in (109.5 mm × 99.1 mm). Most parts (except pistons and heads) interchange between the 400 and the 430. The base model was rated at 350 hp (261 kW), while the 455 Stage 1 equipped with a single 4-barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor was rated at 360 hp (268 kW) at 4600 rpm. [37] [38] The regular 455 produced a rated 510 lb⋅ft (691 N⋅m) of torque at 2,800 rpm, more than any other muscle car engine. The horsepower was somewhat reduced in 1971 mainly due to the reduction in cylinder compression ratio, a change which was mandated by GM in order to cope with the introduction of new federal laws which would require new cars to use low octane gasoline in an effort to reduce exhaust emissions. Then, starting in 1972, the horsepower rating on paper would be reduced again due to a shift from SAE gross to SAE net, down to approximately 250 hp (186 kW). Unleaded gasoline and catalytic converters came into play in 1975 for all US manufactured cars. Tightening emissions controls would cause the engine to drop in power still further, a little at a time, through 1976.

The 455 was one of the first "thin-wall casting" engine blocks at GM, and because of this [39] advance in production technology, it weighs significantly less than other engines of comparable size (for example, 150 lb (68 kg) less than a Chevrolet 454 [39] and only 25 lb (11 kg) more than a Chevrolet 350).[ citation needed ]

Applications:

GM V8s

In the mid-1970s Buick's 400/430/455 big blocks became unable to meet fuel economy/emission requirements and were phased out, with the Buick 350 remaining as a factory option until 1980. In their place were a variety of GM V8s were offered, both as standard equipment and factory options. These included:

260

The 260 cu in (4.3 L) was an Oldsmobile V8 engine shared with Buick: [45]

301

The 301 cu in (4.9 L) was a Pontiac V8 engine shared with Buick. [46]

305

The 305 cu in (5.0 L) was a Chevrolet V8 engine shared with Buick:

307

The 307 cu in (5.0 L) was an Oldsmobile V8 engine shared with Buick: [49]

403

The 403 cu in (6.6 L) was an Oldsmobile V8 engine shared with Buick: [50]

See also

From the 1950s-1970s, each GM division had its own V8 engine family. Many were shared among other divisions, but each design is most-closely associated with its own division:

GM later standardized on the later generations of the Chevrolet design:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Skylark</span> Series of passenger automobiles produced by Buick

The Buick Skylark is a passenger car formerly produced by Buick. The model was made in six production runs, during 46 years, over which the car's design varied dramatically due to changing technology, tastes, and new standards implemented over the years. It was named for the species of bird called skylark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Cutlass</span> American car model

The Oldsmobile Cutlass was a series of automobiles produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division between 1961 and 1999. At its introduction, the Cutlass was Oldsmobile's entry-level model; it began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate. The Cutlass was named after Vought F7U Cutlass, as well as the type of sword, which was common during the Age of Sail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Riviera</span> Motor vehicle

The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Electra</span> Full-size luxury car (1959–1990)

The Buick Electra is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Buick from 1959 to 1990, over six generations. Introduced as the replacement for the Roadmaster lines, the Electra served as the flagship Buick sedan line through its entire production and was offered as a six-passenger four-door sedan with two-door sedan, two-door convertible, and five-door station wagon variants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Special</span> 20th Century entry-level luxury passenger car from Buick

The Buick Special was an automobile produced by Buick. It was usually Buick's lowest-priced model, starting out as a full-size car in 1936 and returning in 1961 as a mid-size. The Special was built for several decades and was offered as a coupe, sedan and later as a station wagon. When GM modernized their entry level products in the 1960s, the Special introduced the modern Buick V6 that became a core engine for GM for several decades and lived on in upgraded form until 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac Tempest</span> Automobile manufactured by Pontiac

The Tempest is an automobile that was produced by Pontiac from 1960 to 1970, and again from 1987 to 1991. The name "tempest" is from Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestas ("storm"), from tempus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Century</span> Line of upscale performance cars

Buick Century is the model name that was used by Buick for a line of upscale full-size cars from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958, as well as from 1973 to 2005 for mid-size cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northstar engine series</span> Family of high performance 90° V engines produced by General Motors

The Northstar engine is a family of high-performance 90° V engines produced by General Motors between 1993 and 2011. Regarded as GM's most technically complex engine, the original double overhead cam, four valve per cylinder, aluminum block/aluminum head V8 design was developed by Oldsmobile R&D, but is most associated with Cadillac's Northstar series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors LS-based small-block engine</span> Family of V8 and V6 engines

The General Motors LS-based small-block engines are a family of V8 and V6 engines designed and manufactured by American automotive company General Motors. First introduced in 1997, the family is a continuation of the earlier first- and second-generation Chevrolet small-block engine, of which over 100 million have been produced altogether, and is also considered to be one of the most popular V8 engines ever. Spanning three generations, a new, sixth generation is expected to enter production soon. Various small-block V8s were and still are available as crate engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)</span> Car engine

The Chevrolet small-block engine is a series of gasoline-powered V8 automobile engines, produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors between 1954 and 2003, using the same basic engine block. Referred to as a "small-block" for its size relative to the physically much larger Chevrolet big-block engines, the small block family spanned from 262 cu in (4.3 L) to 400 cu in (6.6 L) in displacement. Engineer Ed Cole is credited with leading the design for this engine. The engine block and cylinder heads were cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations in Saginaw, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors 60° V6 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The General Motors 60° V6 engine family is a series of 60° V6 engines produced for both longitudinal and transverse applications. All of these engines are 12-valve cam-in-block or overhead valve engines, except for the LQ1 which uses 24 valves driven by dual overhead cams. These engines vary in displacement between 2.5 and 3.4 litres and have a cast-iron block and either cast-iron or aluminum heads. Production of these engines began in 1980 and ended in 2005 in the U.S., with production continued in China until 2010. This engine family was the basis for the GM High Value engine family. These engines have also been referred to as the X engines as they were first used in the X-body cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac V8 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Pontiac V8 engine is a family of overhead valve 90° V8 engines manufactured by the Pontiac Division of General Motors Corporation between 1955 and 1981. The engines feature a cast-iron block and head and two valves per cylinder. Engine block and cylinder heads were cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations then assembled at Tonawanda Engine before delivery to Pontiac Assembly for installation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rover V8 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Rover V8 engine is a compact V8 internal combustion engine with aluminium cylinder block and cylinder heads, originally designed by General Motors and later re-designed and produced by Rover in the United Kingdom. It has been used in a wide range of vehicles from Rover and other manufacturers since its British debut in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick V6 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Buick V6 is an OHV V6 engine developed by the Buick division of General Motors and first introduced in 1962. The engine was originally 198 cu in (3.2 L) and was marketed as the Fireball engine. GM continued to develop and refine the 3.8 L (230 cu in) V6, eventually and commonly referred to simply as the 3800, through numerous iterations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile V8 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Oldsmobile V8, also referred to as the Rocket, is a series of engines that was produced by Oldsmobile from 1949 until 1990. The Rocket, along with the 1949 Cadillac V8, were the first post-war OHV crossflow cylinder head V8 engines produced by General Motors. Like all other GM divisions, Olds continued building its own V8 engine family for decades, adopting the corporate Chevrolet 350 small-block and Cadillac Northstar engine only in the 1990s. All Oldsmobile V8s were manufactured at plants in Lansing, Michigan while the engine block and cylinder heads were cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Diesel engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Oldsmobile Diesel engine is a series of V6 and V8 diesel engines produced by General Motors from 1978 to 1985. Their design was based on the Olds 350 gasoline engine architecture. A 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 was introduced in 1978, followed by a 261 cu in (4.3 L) V8 only for the 1979 model year. In 1982, a 263 cu in (4.3 L) V6 became available for both front front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadillac V8 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The term Cadillac V8 may refer to any of a number of V8 engines produced by the Cadillac Division of General Motors since it pioneered the first such mass-produced engine in 1914.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Gran Sport</span> High-performance car brand

The Gran Sport name has been used on several high-performance cars built by General Motors for its Buick brand since 1965. In the GM brands hierarchy, Buick was surpassed in luxury and comfort appointments only by Cadillac, which did not produce performance models. As a result, the Buick GS series were the most opulently equipped GM sport models of their era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick LeSabre</span> American full-size car

The Buick LeSabre is a full-size car made by the division Buick of General Motors from 1959 until 2005. Prior to 1959, this position had been retained by the full-size Buick Special model (1936–58). The "LeSabre", which is French for "the sabre", was Buick's mid-level full-size sedan above the Special but below the Electra during the 1960s then remained in its market position when the Electra was replaced with the Park Avenue. The LeSabre was available as a 2-door convertible, sedan or hardtop, a 4-door sedan or hardtop and station wagon throughout its production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Wildcat</span> Motor vehicle

The Buick Wildcat is a full-size car that was produced by Buick from the 1963 to 1970 model years. Taking its name from a series of 1950s Buick concept cars, the Wildcat replaced the Invicta within the "junior" B-body Buick sedan range. Serving as the higher-performance full-size Buick, the Wildcat was slotted between the LeSabre and the larger C-body Electra.

References

  1. Flory, J. "Kelly" Jr. (2008). American Cars, 1946 to 1959; Every Model, Year by Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN   978-0-7864-3229-5.
  2. "Vintage Buick Engines" . Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  3. Flory Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland. ISBN   978-0-7864-3229-5.
  4. "English: SR-71 Blackbird AG330 start cart, Hill Aerospace Museum, Utah". 8 March 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2023 via Wikimedia Commons.
  5. Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p.1021.
  6. Depending on carburetion or use of turbocharger. Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1960-1972 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2004), pp.205 & 246.
  7. Baechtel, John. "Alternative Engines: Part 2--Buick V8", in Hot Rod Magazine, 11/84, p.67.
  8. Davis, Marian (March 1985). "Affordable Aluminum V-8's". Hot Rod . Retrieved 28 February 2019 via TeamBuick.com.
  9. Autoblog staff, ed. (21 July 2017). "Greatest Buick cars of all time". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 McKelvie, Steve (21 December 2017). "The Rover V8 engine". Wordpress.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  11. Boddy, William. "Morgan", in Northey, Tom, executive editor. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 12, p.1419.
  12. "Chevy Small Block". Hotrod. March 1985. Retrieved 28 February 2019 via Team.net.
  13. Koch, Jeff (April 2011). Issue of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car (ed.). "Buick 215-cu.in. V-8/Rover 3.5L". Hemmings.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  14. Davis, Marlan. "Affordable Aluminum V8's [sic]", in Hot Rod Magazine, March 1985, pp.84-9 & 121.
  15. Davis, p.87.
  16. "Buick Engine Colors, Which One is Right For You!". Reference. Team Buick.
  17. Jordan, James. "Buick 350 engine specifications". It still runs.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  18. "Jeep Engine: Dauntless Buick 350 V8". www.jeeptech.com. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  19. 1 2 "1970 Buick Skylark". Myclassicgarage.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  20. "Dauntless Buick 350". 1970jeepwagoneer.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  21. "1963-1987 Jeep Gladiator and J-Series Pickups". Allpar.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  22. 1 2 "1973 Buick Centurion". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  23. "1979 Buick Electra Coupe 350 V8 automatic classic vintage collector". Classiccarsmarks.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  24. 1 2 "1972 Buick Le Sabre". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  25. "1974 Buick Apollo four-door, GM 350 four-barrel". Classiccarsmarks.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  26. 1 2 3 "1973 Buick Century". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  27. 1 2 "1973 Buick Regal". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  28. "1975 Pontiac Ventura SJ Sprint" . Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  29. "1978 Buick Skylark". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  30. Pawel Zal (ed.). "1978 Buick Estate Wagon limited 5.7L V-8". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  31. "1977 Buick Riviera". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  32. "7 fastest cars 1970s". Muscle Cars Days.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  33. Mando, Bob K. "Visually Identifying a 1960's or '70's GM engine". Team Buick.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  34. "1967 Buick Electra 225". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  35. "1967 Buick Riviera". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  36. "1969 Buick Wildcat". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  37. "1970 Buick GSX Stage-1 Sport Coupe 4-speed". automobile-catalog. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  38. "1970 Buick GS". MyClassicGarage.com. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  39. 1 2 Gittelman, Mark (24 December 2018). "Inside the 455 Cubic Inch Big Block from General Motors". ThoughtCo.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  40. "1976 Buick Electra". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  41. Pawel Zal (ed.). "1972 Buick Estate Wagon 455-4 V-8 dual exhaust". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  42. "1973 Buick Riviera". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  43. "1970 Buick Skylark". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  44. Pawel Zal (ed.). "1970 Buick Wildcat Custom Sport Coupe". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  45. Pawel Zal (ed.). "1976 Buick Skylark S 2-door coupe 4.3L V-8 Hydra-Matic". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  46. Pawel Zal (ed.). "1977 Buick Skylark S 2-door coupe 4.9L V-8 automatic". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  47. Pawel Zal (ed.). "1978 Buick Regal Limited Coupe 5.0L V-8 4-bbl. automatic". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  48. Pawel Zal (ed.). "1978 Buick Skylark Custom 2-door Coupe 5.0L V-8 automatic". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  49. "Oldsmobile 307 Hurst Olds V8". Rebuilt crate engines.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  50. Pawel Zal (ed.). "1978 Buick Electra Park Avenue Coupe 6.6L V-8". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.