jpflat2a
what's that noise?
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2003
5 Buick 215 V8s
- Thread starter jpflat2a
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2006
The Hemmings article glossed over a few things. The Buick and Pontiac versions were nearly identical, but the Olds have very different heads (and an extra head bolt per cylinder). Buick made a hi-performance version only for ‘63 with 11.1 compression and a revised distributor curve, making 200hp (the 4300 designation).
Olds also made a turbocharged version with water injection called the Jetfire. These were rated at 215hp.
GM had a relatively high casting failure rate because of the cast-in iron liners, so this contributed to the short production run. Further developing the thin-wall iron casting process for the Buick 300 ended the alloy blocks.
When Rover bought out the rights, they went with pressed in iron liners that were much cheaper to build, and didn’t have the casting failures like GM. They designated the engine as the 3.5L or 3500(cc). If the Rover engine was overheated, the iron sleeves sometimes slipped, but were otherwise pretty durable. Later Rover engines grew up to 5.0 L (300 cu in).
These are great little engines. I built one of these for my Jeep around 1978/79 and drove it for the next 20 years. I also have a Triumph TR8 that came with the 3500. I still have at least 6 either in vehicles, or under the workbench, so I’m a big fan of the 215 and its immediate family.
Olds also made a turbocharged version with water injection called the Jetfire. These were rated at 215hp.
GM had a relatively high casting failure rate because of the cast-in iron liners, so this contributed to the short production run. Further developing the thin-wall iron casting process for the Buick 300 ended the alloy blocks.
When Rover bought out the rights, they went with pressed in iron liners that were much cheaper to build, and didn’t have the casting failures like GM. They designated the engine as the 3.5L or 3500(cc). If the Rover engine was overheated, the iron sleeves sometimes slipped, but were otherwise pretty durable. Later Rover engines grew up to 5.0 L (300 cu in).
These are great little engines. I built one of these for my Jeep around 1978/79 and drove it for the next 20 years. I also have a Triumph TR8 that came with the 3500. I still have at least 6 either in vehicles, or under the workbench, so I’m a big fan of the 215 and its immediate family.
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- Joined
- Oct 25, 2006
That Oldsmobile f85 jet fire was a very cool engine with the methanol rocket fluid injection turbo stuff.
Odd to see that come up on an RX7 site. On the turbo Olds 215, one of my buddies drove a Jetfire in high school. The water/meth injection never worked dependably as it was all mechanical, and relied on every component to work correctly. Even a burned out light bulb for low water/meth shut down the system. I spent a week discovering that one.
He had the GM shop manual on it, and I spent weeks trying to understand it, and all the adjustments needed. These were extremely complicated. When it ran right (not often), it was pretty quick for what it was. When running right, it would also suck the fluid tank dry in less than a 1/2 hour, probably because we always had it on boost.
I had more fun with another friend’s maroon ‘63 Buick Special with the 4bbl and 4 speed. That car was a blast to drive!
He had the GM shop manual on it, and I spent weeks trying to understand it, and all the adjustments needed. These were extremely complicated. When it ran right (not often), it was pretty quick for what it was. When running right, it would also suck the fluid tank dry in less than a 1/2 hour, probably because we always had it on boost.
I had more fun with another friend’s maroon ‘63 Buick Special with the 4bbl and 4 speed. That car was a blast to drive!
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- Joined
- Oct 25, 2006
This is just really cool to read about. The Bosch mechanical FI for VWs was a cool thing too, but this "meth" injection blows that away. Can you imagine how much of a "mad scientist" you would have to be to make this system and how the heck could you get anyone in management to buy off on it is beyond me.
Why RX7 site is a great question, but getting rid of a Wankel might make a person go to extremes?
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2006
Yup, never did a thing with them. They just worked.. forever.
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2013
You have a vj jeepster to put that in?.... always thought that would be a cool little hot rod with a revvy 215
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