Buick V8 engine: Difference between revisions

The '''Buick V8''' is a family of [[V8 engine]]s produced by the [[Buick]] division of [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors (GM)]] between 1953 and 1981. All were [[V8_engineV8 engine#V-angle|90°]] water-cooled V8 [[Overhead valve|OHV]] [[pushrod engine]]s, and all were [[naturally aspirated]] except one [[Turbocharger|turbocharged]] version of the 215.

The Buick V8 family can be divided into two sizes, big-blocks and small-blocks ([[V8_engineV8 engine#Size,_layout layout,_and_classification and classification|block size classification]] refers to the [[engine block]]'s [[Bore_Bore (engine)#Bore_pitchBore pitch|bore spacing]] and external dimensions, not [[engine displacement|displacement]]). TheAll big-blocks1953–1966 evolvedBuick overV8s three generations:and the first (1953–1956) and second (1957–1966) generation1967–1976 "Nailheadsbig-block", andengines theshared 1967–1976a "Big-blocks"{{convert|4.75|in|abbr=on}} bore spacing. The small-block was produced 1961–1981from 1961 to 1981.

Some Buick V8s, such as the 350, 400, and 455, have the same displacements as [[List of GM engines#Divisions|V8s of other GM divisions]], but they are entirely different designs. Buick Nailhead V8s can be distinguished by the top surfaces of their [[valve cover]]s being [[Vertical and horizontal|horizontal]] ([[Parallel (geometry)|parallel]] to the ground). Later Buick small and big block V8s have a front-mounted [[distributor]] tilted to the drivers side (like [[Cadillac]]s), but [[siamese]]d center exhaust ports (unlike Cadillacs). Buick changed engine color over the years.<ref>https://www.teambuick.com/reference/engine_colors.php</ref>

First-generation Nailheads were painted "Late" Buick Green (also called Apple Green, used from 1953 to 1965).<ref>https: name=TeamBuickengcol//www.teambuick.com/reference/engine_colors.php</ref>

====264====

The {{convert|264|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} produced in 1954 and 1955 was a direct replacement for the [[Buick Straight-8 engine#263|263 straight-eight]] and the only engine available in Buick's economy "Special" series vehicles. TheIt was the smallest displacement Nailhead, sharing stroke and deck height with the 322, but having its own smaller bore {{convert|3.625|in|abbr=on}}.

====322====

Buick's second variation of the "Nailhead" was produced from 1957–1966. The "Fireball" name was dropped after 1957, but the 364 was very briefly called the "B-12000", referring to the 12,000 foot pounds generated by each piston.<ref name=Flory>{{cite book|last=Flory Jr.|first=J. "Kelly"|title=American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year|year=2008|publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-3229-5}}</ref> Second generation Nailheads were painted "Late"{{clarify-inline|date=July 2024}} Buick Green, with the exception of those installed in the 1963 Riviera, which were silver, and the 1966 Riviera, which were red.<ref>https: name=TeamBuickengcol//www.teambuick.com/reference/engine_colors.php</ref>

====364====

====401 (400)====

====425====

[[File:Buick400.jpg|alt=1969 Buick Grand Sport 400 Cubic Inch Engine |thumb|1969 Buick Grand Sport 400 Engine]]

====400==Big-block==

====430====

==Buick Small Block (BSB)-block==

Buick introduced a "small block" V8 in 1961 with a {{convert|4.24|in|1|abbr=on}} cylinder bore spacing; it was produced in four displacements, 215, 300, 340, and 350, through 1976. 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>https: name=TeamBuickengcol//www.teambuick.com/reference/engine_colors.php</ref>

At introduction, Buick's 215 was rated {{convert|150|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} 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 {{convert|155|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 4,600&nbsp;rpm. {{convert|220|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of [[torque]] was produced at 2,400&nbsp;rpm with a [[Rochester Products Division|Rochester]] 2GC (DualJet2 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 {{convert|185|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 4,800&nbsp;rpm and {{convert|230|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} at 2,800&nbsp;rpm.

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 {{convert|215|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Oldsmobile_V8_engineOldsmobile 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.

In 1964, while nearly all Buick engines were painted "Buick Late Green", the 300ci300 V8s were painted Silversilver 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.

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