Technical 215 buick into a model '29 model a pickup

I know its been done, but has anyone here done it? Im looking for pictures of how it was mounted, steering setups, exhaust and what transmission and water pumps people have used. Ive heard about the 300 buick water pump but would like to know if anyone has measurements on its length. thank you in advance for any info or tips on my project!

 

The 215 and later 300 share a lot of general dimensions, yet are very different in some ways. One of the ways they differ significantly is the bellhousing bolt pattern. It is unique to the 215 BOP V8 and the first generation 196" (or 198", always get that confused) Buick V6.

In 1964 models, when the 300 V8 was introduced, it and the now 225" V6 used what has become known as the BOP bolt pattern. What all the means is, that if using only stock parts, your choice of automatic trans is limited to the OEM 2 speed automatic or the harder to find stick shift setup. I believe there are adapters out there to use later GM parts on the 215.

Motor mounts are front/side location. A good spot for your frame. The oil pump is at the right front corner and the filter, not so much the pump itself, can be a problem in many chassis. There are filter relocating adapters that can be used to get around that.

While I always admired the 215 V8, over the years I have come to think there are better choices for a smallish engine compartment. There are a plethora of V6 engines that have more cubes/hp and are shorter in length.

Ray

 

I got the motor for free and thought it would be cool to do something different (plus I like doing things the hard way!)I already knew about the bellhousing pattern being all by its self. I checked into that and can get a adapter to a chevy trans from kennedy. I have looked at the D&D website since everything I have researched said they are the go to people. I heard that you can use the water pump off of the 300 and it is shorter, Im trying to find out the length of said water pump. I would love to see pictures of one in an actual model a so I can visualize how they did it. There is a member on here that did the same set up in his '29 pickup that I messaged but havent heard back from yet.

 

Do you want measurements of the 300 water pump, or the engine? I have a pair of the engines, but the only part I have for a 300 is a crankshaft.

There were two versions of bellhousing for the 215. One was for the three-speed only, and the other was a dual-parrten that either a three speed or wider pattern four speed could bolt to. Here's the dual pattern version.

 

That free engine may cost you a fortune. Like I tell folks-"there's no such thing as a free puppy."

 

Im looking for just the water pump length, as the motor sits now with the pump that is on it total overall length is 29" Im hoping the 300 pump will knock off an inch or two. Im also switching to an chevy auto trans (with a kennedy adapter) instead of a stick so I can have more room for my fat feet!

 

true, but like I said I like that it is different and I like to do things the hard way!

 

Being as GM sold the patterns to Rover, you might find a source of parts in the Rover section of your local version of Pik-n-pull.

 

there is a model a pickup with a 215 for sale on" bring a trailer" right now

 

I just measured the water pump on my '64 300 it is 3 5/8" from the back of the water pump to the pulley mount surface, if that makes sense.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Just found a 215 Buick water pump in the pile, it's 4 1/4' from the back side of the pump to the pulley mount surface.

 

rover used many different designs of pump over the years, most later ones were longer because of the tendency to use clutch fans, I believe the models from the sixties may have been shortest but I'm just guessing, I know having spent until 2 years ago in car parts that anything before probably the 90s haven't been reproduced for many years, got to be a rover or landrover specialist somewhere in the states ?

Kev

 

I have a friend with a 29 A 2dr with a 215 buick with an automatic trans 2x2 intake and lakes style headers. I'll try to get some pics this weekend .

 

Newbie,
I am doing a similar build for a 28 woody with a 215 that was built for a 1997 Hot Rod magazine article. I love these engines having had a 62 olds and 63 buick. I would contact Mark at D&D. He has all the engine parts you will need and tons of knowledge on the 215 and interchangeable parts. I bought a t10 top loader from him with S10 tail shaft so the shifter location works for this model A. He has a short water pump and pulley plus oil filter adapters if you need to relocate it. I think their web site is aluminumv8.com or something similar.
Dave

 

I installed the short water pump and I believe it only saves about 7/8 of an inch, but I'm not at my shop to measure till Wednesday. I have a recessed firewall and still may have to modify it. The 215 is looong.
Dave

 

Also, I see you were aski,g about exhaust and steeri,g. I have block hugger headers that I got from D&D. Am using an old style Vega steering box in my chassis.
Dave

 

I'm building a Model A coupe. I was going to rebuild an old 283 in the shop but it turned out to be a real boat anchor. Not much usable beyond the bare block. Then this 215 Buick V8 came up on a hot rod parts blog and I snapped it up.
I am using a 300 water pump and plan to use an electric fan. With this combo I did not have to recess the firewall. I just had to modify the very bottom to clear one of the valve covers. Good news also is the stock oil filter still fits. Most installs with this motor require a remote filter.
As you can see in the photos I am using rack and pinion steering so the steering shafts are pretty much standard hot rod issue.
The guy bought all of the parts and did all of the machine work and had everything balanced 20 years ago and then it sat in pieces. He was building a kit car.
I bought it for about half of what he had in it. It's a 1963 Buick 215. It has a Kenne Bell 3/4 street cam, 300 aluminum heads, Mallory NOS black cap dual point, Melling HOP oil pump, 300 short water pump, stock four barrel manifold, (for now I plan to run a little square bore Qjet) I added Rover cast iron four-into-two headers. It will be backed up by a T5 five speed stick with a D&D bell housing and hydraulic clutch. 3:33 Jag rear end with inboard brakes brings p the rear. Stock it puts out 200 HP. Might get a few more horses with the cam and headers.

 

looking good! is there any way you could send me some more pictures of your progress? like maybe the motor sitting in relation to the firewall and the radiator? right now it looks like i have to recess my firewall 1 inch to clear the motor with about 1/2" clearance at water pump and radiator. also can you snap some pictures of your pulleys? mine had the serpentine belt since its a rover motor, but i want to switch it over.

 

Body is off for the winter but somewhere I have photos of my mock-up engine before I pulled the body. I'll try to find them. I did not have to recess the firewall. I merely had to recess to area below the foot well to clear the right valve cover. Yes, using the shorter 300 water pump gives me about 1/2 to 3/4" clearance with the radiator. Plan to use electric fan

 

with the water pump that close to the radiator how are you going to get an electric fan to fit? are you using 2 smaller fans?

 

As it stands right now my water pump is pointing to the lower half of the radiator. This will allow the fan to mount above the water pump in the upper half of the radiator.

 

I have an Olds in my Model A.

 

Also I think known as the Rover V8 in England I put one in my 23 T roadster over there (I'm from England originally) it's quite a common motor to use in rods over there as they're cheap and readily available, and pack enough punch for a small light HotRod



Charlie

 

i think ive got it pretty much setting where i want it, but im considering dropping the whole thing down another inch

 

do you know what year rover the exhaust manifolds came from? ive tried a few and havent had any luck getting them to clear the frame on the passenger side

 

I had the same problem with the right side exhaust so i bought two left side manufolds from a 1991 LAND RANGE ROVER 341 V8 OR DISCOVERY II.

 

I believe that this engine was also used on the non-US MGE. The MGE was a MGB with the V8. But were only sold in Europe.
Another transmission that might fit is the ROTO 5 hydramatic, which was used in 61-63 Olds F-85s.

 

The Rover V8, as they are down here, were very popular swaps in the UK. Pops or Anglia loved them due to compact size. I suspect UK members would be better informed that me. There is UK hot rod site that may assist. Rovers had 3sp autos behind them which I believe were Borg Warner 66s?

A friend had a warmed up Rover with an Australian Dellow brand kit to allow a GM automatic transmission. Here is the kit with a 700R, too much auto IMHO, a 200R would be better as smaller and less reciprocating mass. Later 3.5lt Rover V8s (3 speed) used a GM 180 auto
http://www.p6club.com/content/borg-warner-automatic-gearbox
http://www.britishv8.org/British-V8-Current-Issue.htm

 

As said I'm from England originally and your right on the money, borg warner 65's and 66's were common transmissions to use though the 66's were harder to find, www.NSRA.org.uk/newforum forums will have lots of rod build threads with that motor in them

 

Been a while since anon added to this blog. Thought I would send an update on my "A" coupe project. Had a few distractions this year but back on the project.