Buick V8 engine

Buick V8 engine
401 cu in "Nailhead" in a 1964 Buick Wildcat
Overview
Manufacturer	Buick (General Motors)
Also called	Fireball V8 (nickname) Nailhead (1953–1966)
Production	1953 (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 material	Cast iron, Aluminum
Cylinder head material	Cast iron, Aluminum
Valvetrain	OHV 2 valves x cyl.
Compression ratio	8.8:1–11.0:1
Combustion
Turbocharger	In 1962-63 Oldsmobile Cutlass only
Fuel system	Carter AFB or Rochester carburetors
Fuel type	Gasoline
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	GM LT engine GM LS engine

The Buick V8 is a family of V8 engines produced by the Buick division of General Motors between 1953 and 1981. The first version replaced the Buick straight-eight. Displacements vary from 215 cu in (3.5 L) (for the division's unique all-aluminum early 1960s engine) to 455 cu in (7.5 L) for its last big block in 1976. All are naturally aspirated OHV pushrod engines, except for an optional turbocharged version of the short-lived 215 used in the 1962-63 Oldsmobile Jetfire.

Six displacements of the engine were used in two generations between 1953 and 1966, varying from 264 cu in (4.3 L) to 425 cu in (7.0 L); three displacements of standard cast-iron small blocks between 1964 and 1981, and 300 cu in (4.9 L) and 350 cu in (5.7 L); one of the 215 cu in (3.5 L) aluminum blocks (1961-1963); and three big blocks between 1967 and 1976 and 400 cu in (6.6 L) and 455 cu in (7.5 L).

Some of these Buick V8s, such as the 350, 400, and 455, had the same displacements as those from other GM divisions, but were otherwise entirely different engines.

Buick "Nailhead" V8 (first generation)

The 322 Fireball V8 in a 1956 Buick Century

Buick's first generation of V8 was offered from 1953 through 1956. It was an OHV pushrod engine like the then-new Oldsmobile "Rocket" V8. While it was officially called by Buick the "Fireball V8" it became known as the "Nailhead" by enthusiasts for the unusual vertical alignment of its small-sized valves, features that were the result of putting both intake and exhaust valves on the intake manifold side of the "pent-roof combustion chamber" used in this engine series. (Originally, it was known to hot rodders as the “nail valve” because the valves had long stems and small heads which made them look like nails.) To offset the smaller-sized valves (1.75 in (44 mm) for the intake and 1.25 in (32 mm) for the exhaust) and restrictive port diameters, the Nailhead V8 family 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 designs have a 4.75 in (121 mm) bore spacing. The high torque nature of the engine was developed to provide adequate acceleration when mated to the Dynaflow transmission which favored smoothness above most other design and marketing objectives. Dynaflow's non-shifting design was demonstrably smoother than the rough shifting automatics then available, to include GM's Hydramatic, and the Powerglide unit used by Chevrolet. After the war, manual transmissions fell out of fashion, and automatic transmissions were more popular.

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 for the economy "Special" series during its run. The smallest displacement Nailhead, it is a small-bore version of the 322, sharing stroke and deck height, but having its own 3.625 in (92.1 mm) bore.

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 nicknamed "Nailhead" was produced from 1957–1966, and the "Fireball" name was no longer used starting in 1958, and was very briefly called the "B-12000" referring to the 12,000 foot pounds generated by each piston.

364

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

401 (400)

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 displacement engines 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 full-sized and later intermediate 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

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.

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

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, 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), 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), 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. 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. 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.

At introduction, Buick's 215 was rated 150 hp (112 kW) at 4400 rpm. 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 great expense of the aluminum engine led to its cancellation after the 1963 model year. The engine had an abnormally high scrap ratio due to hidden block-casting porosity problems, which caused serious oil leaks. Another problem was clogged radiators from antifreeze mixtures incompatible with aluminum. 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. 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.

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. Rookie driver Dan Gurney qualified eighth and raced well for 92 laps before retiring with transmission problems.

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

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. American 215s have also been engine swapped into countless other platforms, especially Chevrolet Vegas and later British cars including the MG RV8 in the 1990s, 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. 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.

300

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. 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

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, 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; in these applications, the engine was billed as the Dauntless V8.

Applications:

• 1968-1972 Buick Skylark
• 1968-1972 Buick Sport Wagon
• 1968-1971 Jeep Wagoneer
• 1968-1971 Jeep Gladiator
• 1971-1973 Buick Centurion
• 1971-1980 Buick Electra
• 1971-1980 Buick LeSabre
• 1973-1975 Buick Apollo
• 1973-1977 Buick Century
• 1973-1977 Buick Regal
• 1975 Pontiac Ventura
• 1975-1979 Buick Skylark
• 1977-1980 Buick Estate
• 1977-1978 Buick Riviera

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

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. 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.

430

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:

• 1967-1969 Buick Electra
• 1967-1969 Buick Riviera
• 1967-1969 Buick Wildcat

455

Buick 455 V8

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. 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 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 and only 25 lb (11 kg) more than a Chevrolet 350).

Applications:

• 1970-1976 Buick Electra
• 1970-1976 Buick Estate
• 1970-1976 Buick LeSabre
• 1970-1976 Buick Riviera
• 1970-1972 Buick Skylark
• 1970 Buick Wildcat
• 1971-1973 Buick Centurion
• 1973-1974 Buick Century
• 1973-1974 Buick Gran Sport
• 1973-1974 Buick Regal

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:

• 1975–1977 Buick Skylark

301

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

305

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

• 1978–1987 Buick Regal
• 1975–1979 Buick Skylark

307

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

• 1980–1985 Buick Lesabre
• 1980–1984 Buick Electra
• 1980–1985 Buick Riviera
• 1980–1990 Buick Estate Wagon
• 1986–1987 Buick Regal

403

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

• 1977 Buick Century estate
• 1977–1979 Buick Riviera
• 1977–1979 Buick Electra
• 1977–1979 Buick Estate Wagon
• 1977–1979 Buick LeSabre

See also

• Buick V6 engine

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:

• Cadillac V8 engine
• Chevrolet Small-Block engine
• Chevrolet Big-Block engine
• Oldsmobile V8 engine
• Pontiac V8 engine
• Holden V8 engine

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

• GM LT engine — Generation II small-block
• GM LS engine — Generation III/IV small-block
• List of GM engines

References

• Peter C Sessler (1999). Ultimate American V8 Engine Data Book. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7603-0489-0.