7/14/00
Jim,
You probably cannot use the 300 heads on a Buick engine of only 215
Cubic Inch Displacement because the combustion chambers are so much bigger
than those in the original 215 heads. To do so would probably require big
time head milling, or installing flat top pistons, in order to maintain the
compression ratio in the desired range of, say, 8.8:1 to 9.5:1. For the
most part, the 300 heads are better suited for bored and/or stroked engines
of much larger displacement. Then the larger combustion chambers fit right
in and are almost a necessity. I don't know just how much the stock heads
can be reworked, but the talk seems to indicate that much can be done----at
what cost??????
Cheers,
Dave K.
**************************************************
>I decided the other day that since I am going to the trouble to build good
>flowing headers for my Buick 215 that I should do something about the
>SMALL exhaust ports on the heads. I built the headers with the 1.5 inch
>diameter pipe flanges. I would like to keep costs low (who doesn't) but
>will pay for results. If I am going to port and polish I will do bigger
>valves etc, but my question is what is the etc. As far as I can tell, my
>options are to port and polish the stock heads and fit with larger valves
>but I don't know which ones, or I can ge the Buick 300 head route, but I
>don't know what this will entail. Currently the engine has an Edelbrock
>dual plane (performer?) manifold with a carter AFB 4bbl. The headers are
>4-2-1 design with 1.5 inch primaries. I will probably put a cam in the
>engine, but that depends on the heads. As I said I have the 63 Buick
>whick is 12:1 compression if I remember correctly. I would like to get
>about 230 horses out of the engine at the wheels, but I don't know what
>that will require.
>
>In summary what are my options for breathing, port, polish, and valves, or
>new heads if so which ones.
>
>What else should/could I do to get 230hp out of this engine. The engine
>was quoted originally at 210hp at the flywheel, I don't know what this
>ammounts to at the wheels, but I would like to bump it up.
>
>Any advice is greatly appreciated. TIA
>
>James Nazarian
>'71 B roadster
>'71 BGT ever so slowly turning into a V8
>'63 Buick 215
>
>"Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines"
>Enzo Ferrari
|