<VV> &lt;VV&gt; Off topic BO V-8's

[Jim Davis]

Quote"
Of particular note is that the innovative aluminum
Buick-built 215 in³ (3.5 L) V8 was optional in the
Tempest in 1961 and 1962. (This also had first
appeared in the LeSabre.)[9] It is estimated that
just 3,662 Tempests were ordered with the 215 engine,
or about 1% of production. This motor produced, in
its various incarnations, from 155–215 hp (116–160
kW; 157–218 PS) despite weighing just 330 lb (150 kg)
installed. The Pontiac 215 blocks are distinct from
other Buick 215 blocks because in addition to the
factory Buick markings they were hand-stamped at the
Pontiac plant with the Vehicle Identification Numbers
of the individual cars they were installed in. Thus,
in 1961 all Pontiac 215 blocks begin "161P"; the 1962
cars, "162P". Further code numbers told whether the
car had an automatic or manual transmission. In 1961,
this would have been either a three-speed
column-shifted manual with a non-synchromesh first
gear or a two-speed automatic controlled by a small
lever on the dash to the right of the ignition. This
automatic—called "TempesTorque" in company literature
but unmarked on the unit itself until 1963—was a type
of Powerglide similar to, but sharing very few parts
with, the one in the Chevrolet Corvair. (The next
year, a floor-mounted, fully synchronized four-speed
manual was added.) At its introduction, the Tempest
was only available as a four-door pillared sedan and
as a Safari station wagon. A pair of two-door coupes,
one of which was named LeMans, were added at the end
of 1961, both in the 1961 body style." end quote.
Jim Davis


------- Original Message -------
>From    : hallgrenn at aol.com[mailto:hallgrenn at aol.com]
Sent    : 3/25/2014 12:55:32 PM
To      : ricebugg at comcast.net; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Cc      : 
Subject : RE: Re: <VV> Off topic BO V-8's

 
James,

Though not a popular option you could get the BO
aluminum V8 in the early Tempest.  The 326 was '63 on
if memory serves.  A teacher had the 215 aluminum
engine in his '61 or '62 Tempest that he bought new.

Bob Hall


-----Original Message-----




All:  IIFC, Pontiac use a iron 326 V-8 in the
Tempest, along with their slant 4 
cyl.  They never offered the 215 alloy V-8

 

Buick & Olds both offered an alloy 215 cid V-8 for a
couple years.  The engines 
were not identical. The Olds had 5 head studs per
cylinder vs 4 on the Buick.  I 
remember this from pro road racing in the early '60's
when small English 
mid-engine racecars chassis, plus a few home grown
cars, started being stuff 
with American V-8's.  The Buick was first use in a
McKee and then a Scarab 
chassis, but the racers soon perfered the Olds engine
because of the 5 stud 
arrangement.  The BO alloy engines were soon
displaced with 289 Fords and 327 
Chevy's. All of which lead to the SCCA's Cam-Am
series.  Small window of 
opportunity for the BO V-8's.  Only slightly bigger
than for Corvair powered 
sports-racers. 

 

When the Olds and Bucik compacts were "up graded" to
Intermediates in about '64. 
the BO alloy engines were sold to Rover.  Assume they
used the 5 stud 
configuration.  This engine may still be in
production.  It has powered all 
sorts on specialty English sports cars, and even went
to LeMans in the back of a 
English GT prototype.

 
Buick also had a iron V-6, which they sold to Jeep. 
It may also still be in 
production.
Historically Yours,
                       James Rice