Purchasing 914 V8...opinions? Options

[michaelt55]

Opinions...
oh geez..

anywho...looking at a well thought out and built 215 V8 in a 914. Approx 160-180 hp but light as its a 62 Buick V8 that is all aluminum, so about 60 lbs heavier than stock.

Its monetarily a great deal and I will probably sell my 73 with a Raby 2056. Just wondered if anyone knew of issues with the all aluminum 215 and has anyone every used it as a conversion?


Michael

[byndbad914]

those old buick 215s have aluminum that over time, just like the VWs and Porsches, gets sorta soft. So buy a hel-coil kit in every size because everytime you take out a bolt, you will probably heli-coil that hole (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

When I worked in a cylinder head shop back in the 90s, every 215, VW or Porsche head that came in my boss immediately had me count the number of bolt holes and quote that many heli-coils because he got burned too many times for rebuilding a head, they take it home and install it, then strip a bolt on the exhaust and blame him.

Head gaskets can be an issue as mentioned before - the alum issue again.

A lot of guys like them because they were light; I am not a big fan of them overall but generally speaking they are alright. A lot of the same issues you have to worry about with type IVs like valve seat drops, threads, etc.

Me, I would use a 6-cyl Chevy before the 215 Buick frankly... get a late one (after they fixed all the vibration issues) and that would be a better engine and would make more power too - and there are a lot of aftermarket parts for them (because of NASCAR racing).

The later rover copies had better aluminum supposedly tho' I personally never saw a Rover block or head while working there, but a few 215s.

edit - Oh yeah, and the coolant passages tend to be really corroded on those old engines and as andys mentioned cooling system whoas may exist, but I want to add internal cooling systems whoas may exist. They are old enough and a lot of people didn't always keep fresh coolant, and the older coolants v. new stuff, etc.....