Editing Buick V8 engine (section)

==Small-block==
Buick introduced a "small block" V8 in 1961 with a {{cvt|4.24|in|1}} cylinder bore spacing; it was produced in four displacements, 215, 300, 340, and 350. This design also became the basis of a highly successful [[cast iron]] [[V6 engine]], the [[Buick V6 engine#198|Fireball]]. Design features include an external oil pump, a forward-mounted distributor, and an integrated aluminum timing cover which incorporates the oil pump mechanisms, leaving the oil filter exposed to oncoming air for added cooling.

With the exception of the silver 1964 300, Buick small-blocks were painted "Late"{{clarify-inline|date=July 2024}} Buick Green through 1966. Buick engines were painted red from 1967-1974, medium metallic blue from 1975-1977, and light blue from 1978-1982.<ref name=TeamBuickengcol/>

The small-block was originally produced as an industry-first all-aluminum engine. Alas, after 3 years of production, persisting cylinder liner issues, trumped with new and cheaper thin-wall iron casting techniques, pushed a change to an iron block.

===215===<!-- This section is linked from [[V8 engine]] -->
:''See also [[Rover V8 engine]]''
[[File:215 Buick in MGA (9045881524).jpg|thumb|{{cvt|215|CID|L|1}} engine in a [[MG MGA|MGA]]]]
GM experimented with aluminum engines starting in the early 1950s, when [[Alcoa|Aluminum Company of America]] (ALCOA) was pushing all automakers to use more aluminum. An early-development supercharged version of the {{convert|215|CID|L|1|adj=on}} V8 was used in the 1951 [[Le Sabre concept car|Le Sabre]] [[Concept vehicle|concept car]],<ref>Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. ''American Cars 1946-1959'' (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p.1021.</ref> and the 1953 Buick Roadmaster concept car.

GM designated Buick as engine design leader, and work on a production unit commenced in 1956. Originally intended for {{convert|180|CID|L|1|adj=on}} displacement, Buick decided on a larger, {{convert|215|CID|L|1|adj=on}} size, deemed ideal for the new [[GM Y platform|Y-body]] cars introduced for 1961, like the Skylark.

Known as the Buick Fireball, the 215 had a bore and a stroke of {{cvt|3.5x2.8|in|mm|1}}, for an actual displacement of {{cvt|215.51|CID|cc|0}}. With its [[aluminum]] [[cylinder head]]s and [[cylinder block]], at the time it was the lightest mass-production V8 in the world, with a dry weight of only {{cvt|318|lb|kg}}. Measuring {{cvt|28|in|cm}} long, {{cvt|26|in|cm}} wide, and {{cvt|27|in|cm}} high (same as the [[Chevrolet small-block engine|small-block Chevy]]),<ref>Baechtel, John. "Alternative Engines: Part 2--Buick V8", in ''Hot Rod'' Magazine, 11/84, p.67.</ref> it became standard equipment in the 1961 [[Buick Special]].

At introduction, Buick's 215 was rated {{cvt|150|hp|kW|0}} at 4400&nbsp;rpm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autoblog.com/photos/greatest-buick-cars-of-all-time/#slide-6817351|website=Autoblog.com|title=Greatest Buick cars of all time|editor=Autoblog staff|date=21 July 2017|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="RoverV8">{{cite web|url=https://stevemckelvie.wordpress.com/2017/12/21/the-rover-v8-engine/|website=Wordpress.com|title=The Rover V8 engine|first1=Steve|last1=McKelvie|date=21 December 2017|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> This was raised soon after introduction to {{cvt|155|hp|kW|0}} at 4,600&nbsp;rpm. {{cvt|220|lbft|Nm|0}} of [[torque]] was produced at 2,400&nbsp;rpm with a [[Rochester Products Division|Rochester]] 2GC (2 Jet) 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 {{cvt|185|hp|kW|0}} at 4,800&nbsp;rpm and {{cvt|230|lbft|Nm|0}} at 2,800&nbsp;rpm.

For 1962, the four-barrel-equipped engine's compression ratio was increased to 10.25:1 and horsepower to {{cvt|190|hp|kW|0}} at 4,800&nbsp;rpm and {{cvt|235|lbft|Nm|0}} at 3,000&nbsp;rpm. The two-barrel engine was unchanged. For 1963, the four-barrel was bumped to 11.0:1 compression and an even {{cvt|200|hp|kW|0}} at 5,000&nbsp;rpm and {{cvt|240|lbft|Nm|0}} at 3,200&nbsp;rpm, {{cvt|{{#expr:200/215 round 2}}|hp|1}}/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.

====Pontiac usage====
[[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] used the Buick version of the 215 in its Y-body cars, the [[Pontiac Tempest|Tempest]] and [[Pontiac LeMans|LeMans]]. 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.

====Oldsmobile version====
Although sharing basic architecture with the Buick, Oldsmobile developed its own [[Oldsmobile V8 engine#Aluminum 215|all-aluminum 215]], the "Rockette V8", to install in its F-85 Cutlass Y-body. Its angled valve covers were designed by Oldsmobile engineers to look like a traditional Olds V8.

Olds also released a turbocharged version, the {{cvt|215|hp|kW}} [[Oldsmobile V8 engine#Turbo-Rocket|Turbo-Rocket]], in its 1962–63 Oldsmobile Jetfire.<ref> Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. ''American Cars 1960-1972'' (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2004), pp.205 & 246.</ref> Together with Chevrolet's turbocharged 1962 Corvair Spyder, these were the first [[Turbocharger|turbochargers]] ever offered in passenger cars.

Produced on a separate assembly line, the Olds 215 was somewhat heavier at {{cvt|350|lb|kg}}. Intended to alleviate a head-warping problem on high-compression versions, Oldsmobile added a sixth head bolt on the intake manifold side. This meant that the five-bolt Buick heads would fit on Oldsmobile blocks, but not vice versa. The Oldsmobile used wedge-shaped/quench combustion chambers/pistons that allowed larger valves, while the Buick had a 37-cc wedge combustion chamber and used "dished head" pistons.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/affordable_aluminum_v-8.php|via=TeamBuick.com|title=Affordable Aluminum V-8's|last=Davis|first=Marian|magazine=[[Hot Rod (magazine)|Hot Rod]]|date=March 1985|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> Altering the compression ratio on the Oldsmobile 215 required changing the heads, but on a Buick 215, only the pistons were changed, which was less expensive and simpler.

====Discontinuation====
Casting-sealing technology was not advanced enough at that time, and hidden porosity problems caused serious oil leaks, producing an abnormally high scrap ratio.<ref name="RoverV8"/> The factory had to make extensive use of air gauging for leak checks, and was unable to detect leaks on blocks that were as much as 95% complete.<ref name="RoverV8"/> This raised the cost of complete engines to more than that of a comparable all cast-iron engine, so aluminum blocks were cancelled after the 1963 model year.<ref name="RoverV8"/> Another problem was clogged radiators from antifreeze mixtures incompatible with aluminum.<ref name="RoverV8"/>

====Racing====
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]], the first stock-block engine since 1946 and the only non-[[Offenhauser]]-powered entry in the race.<ref name="RoverV8"/> Rookie driver [[Dan Gurney]] qualified eighth and raced well for 92 laps before retiring with transmission problems.<ref name="RoverV8"/>

Surplus engine blocks of the [[Oldsmobile V8 engine#Aluminum 215|Oldsmobile F85]] version formed the basis of the Australian Formula One [[Repco]] V8<ref name="RoverV8"/> used by [[Brabham]] to win the [[1966 Formula One season|1966 Formula One world championship]], although only the earliest engines had any Oldsmobile components.<ref name="RoverV8"/> The majority of [[Repco#Repco V8 engine|Repco RB620]] engines were cast and built in-house at Repco.<ref name="RoverV8"/>

====Sale to Rover====
Rights to these engines were purchased by the British [[Rover Company]] and used in the 1967 [[Rover P5B]] that replaced the 3&nbsp;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 {{cvt|215|to|307|cuin|L|1|disp=flip}}. This engine was used for V8 versions of the MGB GT known as the [[MG MGB#GT|GTV8]]. Rover also used the engine in the 1970 [[Range Rover]]. [[Morgan Motor Company|Morgan]] used the Rover version in its [[Morgan Plus 8|Plus 8]].<ref>Boddy, William. "Morgan", in Northey, Tom, executive editor. ''World of Automobiles'' (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 12, p.1419.</ref> American 215s have also been [[engine swap]]ped into countless other platforms, especially [[Chevrolet Vega]]s<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.team.net/TR8/mp/html/body_buick_215.html |via=Team.net |title=Chevy Small Block |magazine=Hotrod |date=March 1985 |access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> and later British cars including the MG RV8 in the 1990s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hsx/2011/04/Buick-215-cu-in--V-8-Rover-3-5L/3698361.html|website=Hemmings.com|title=Buick 215-cu.in. V-8/Rover 3.5L|editor=Issue of [[Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car]]|first1=Jeff|last1=Koch|date=April 2011|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> [[Triumph Motor Company|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.

===300===
[[File:1967 300ci Buick V8 engine in a Skylark.jpg|thumb|A 300 ci Buick V8 in a 1967 [[Buick Skylark|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 {{cvt|3.75|in|mm|1}} and a stroke of {{cvt|3.4|in|mm|1}} for a displacement of {{cvt|4923|cc|CID L cc|1|adj=ri0|order=out}}. It retained the aluminum cylinder heads, intake manifold, and accessories of the 215 for a dry weight of {{cvt|405|lb|kg}}. The 300 was offered in two-barrel form, with 9.0:1 compression, making {{cvt|210|hp|kW|0}} at 4600&nbsp;rpm and {{cvt|310|lbft|Nm|0}} at 2400&nbsp;rpm, and four-barrel form, with 11.0:1 compression, making {{cvt|250|hp|kW|0}} at 4800&nbsp;rpm and {{cvt|355|lbft|Nm|0}} at 3000&nbsp;rpm.

For 1965, the 300 switched to cast-iron heads, raising dry weight to {{cvt|467|lb|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 300 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.<ref name=TeamBuickengcol>{{cite web | url = https://www.teambuick.com/reference/engine_colors.php | title = Buick Engine Colors, Which One is Right For You! | publisher = Team Buick | work = Reference }}</ref> The [[Apollo (1962 automobile)|Apollo 5000 GT]] sports car, (also sold as the Vetta Ventura) used this engine.

===340===
In 1966, the 300's stroke was increased to {{cvt|3.85|in|mm|1}} in a raised block to create the ''340'', displacing {{cvt|5574.48|cc|CID L cc|1|adj=ri0|order=out}}, as a replacement for the four-barrel-carbureted 300. The taller deck (raised by {{cvt|0.5625|in|mm|1}} 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 {{cvt|220|hp|kW|0}} at 4,000&nbsp;rpm and {{cvt|340|lbft|Nm|0}} at 2,400&nbsp;rpm, and the four barrel with 10.25:1 compression, rated at {{cvt|260|hp|kW|0}} at 4,000&nbsp;rpm and {{cvt|375|lbft|Nm|0}} at 2,800&nbsp;rpm. It was only produced through 1967, being replaced by the new small block {{cvt|350|CID|L|1}} in 1968.

===350===
[[File:1969 Buick GS 350 small-block V8 engine.jpg|thumb|A 350 in a 1969 [[Buick Gran Sport]]]]
Buick adopted the popular 350 size in 1968 for their final family of V8 engines, which was produced through 1980. Although it shared the displacement of the other GM small blocks, including the [[Chevrolet small-block engine|Chevrolet 350]], [[Oldsmobile V8 engine#350|Oldsmobile 350]], and [[Pontiac V8 engine#350|Pontiac 350]], the Buick blocks were of a substantially different proprietary company design. The Buick 350 featured the same {{cvt|3.8|in|mm|1}} bore as the {{cvt|231|CID|L|1}} version of the [[Buick V6 engine|Buick 90° V6]] and retained the {{cvt|3.85|in|mm|1}} stroke of the previous {{cvt|340|CID|L|1}} V8. The exact displacement is {{cvt|349.31|CID|cc|0}}.

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, under-square cylinder bore sizing, {{cvt|3|in|mm|1}} crankshaft main journals, and {{cvt|6.385|in|mm}} connecting rods. 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 engine garnered a reputation as rugged and durable,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itstillruns.com/350-buick-engine-specifications-7562961.html|title=Buick 350 engine specifications|website=It still runs.com|first=James|last=Jordan|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> and some of its design characteristics are found in other Buick-designed GM engines, such as the {{cvt|231|CID|L|1}} V6 and its 3800 descendants.

The 350 was used by Kaiser-Jeep and AMC Jeep in the [[Jeep Gladiator (SJ)|Jeep Gladiator]] and [[Jeep Wagoneer|Wagoneer]] models from 1968–71;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeeptech.com/engine/dauntless350.html|title=Jeep Engine: Dauntless Buick 350 V8|website=www.jeeptech.com|access-date=5 December 2018}}</ref> in these applications, the engine was billed as the Dauntless V8.

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* 1968-1972 [[Buick Skylark]]<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.myclassicgarage.com/knowledge-base/1970-Buick-Skylark|title=1970 Buick Skylark|website=Myclassicgarage.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1968-1972 [[Buick Sport Wagon]]<ref name="auto"/>
* 1968-1971 [[Jeep Wagoneer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://1970jeepwagoneer.com/1970_Jeep_Wagoneer/Dauntless_Buick_350.html|title=Dauntless Buick 350|website=1970jeepwagoneer.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1968-1971 [[Jeep Gladiator (SJ)|Jeep Gladiator]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allpar.com/trucks/jeep/gladiator.html|title=1963-1987 Jeep Gladiator and J-Series Pickups|website=Allpar.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1971-1973 [[Buick Centurion]]<ref name="Centurion">{{cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/s16328/buick-centurion.aspx|title=1973 Buick Centurion|website=Conceptcarz.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1971-1980 [[Buick Electra]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classiccarsmarks.com/buick/344061-1979-buick-electra-coupe-350-v8-automatic-classic-vintage-collector.html|title=1979 Buick Electra Coupe 350 V8 automatic classic vintage collector|website=Classiccarsmarks.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1971-1980 [[Buick LeSabre]]<ref name="LeSabre">{{cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/s8909/buick-lesabre.aspx|title=1972 Buick Le Sabre|website=Conceptcarz.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1973-1975 [[Buick Apollo]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classiccarsmarks.com/buick/14976-1974-buick-apollo-four-door-gm-350-four-barrel.html|title=1974 Buick Apollo four-door, GM 350 four-barrel|website=Classiccarsmarks.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1973-1977 [[Buick Century]]<ref name="Century">{{cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/z28736/buick-century.aspx|title=1973 Buick Century|website=Conceptcarz.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1973-1977 [[Buick Regal]]<ref name="Regal">{{cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/z23180/buick-regal.aspx|title=1973 Buick Regal|website=Conceptcarz.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1975 [[Pontiac Ventura]]<ref name="Ventura">{{cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2016/01/13/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1975-pontiac-ventura-sj-sprint|title=1975 Pontiac Ventura SJ Sprint|access-date=4 February 2021}}</ref>
* 1975-1979 [[Buick Skylark]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/z20068/buick-skylark.aspx|title=1978 Buick Skylark|website=Conceptcarz.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1977-1980 [[Buick Estate]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1978/184100/buick_estate_wagon_limited_5_7l_v-8.html|title=1978 Buick Estate Wagon limited 5.7L V-8|website=Automobile-catalog.com|editor=Pawel Zal|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* 1977-1978 [[Buick Riviera]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z16332/buick-riviera.aspx|title=1977 Buick Riviera|website=Conceptcarz.com|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
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