Straight Eight Buick info needed

Hey, I've got a 1941 248 I-8 Buick that has babbit con rods, I would like to bore the babbit out to use the late 1949/50 inserts that those years used. I need to know what diameter to bore the rods to....anybody been there done that? any info would help, thanks, Jeff

 

I would talk to someone at Egge. Maybe they know?

 

I'm no Buick expert but I believe the usual course is to swap in the later crankshaft and connecting rods. Or at least the rods.

 

Why not get the later rods that are just a drop in. I did it yrs back with my 39 Buick Cp. You already have it apart to do the rods, so just go for the later ones. Make sure you have a good fit on the pistons cause they are domed on one side and will give you piston slap if they are not a good fit. Been there done that. Iceman

 

The '49 and later 248 rods have inserts and are a direct replacment for the babbited rods. The crank does not need replacment. There are various Buick parts specialists (Bob's Automobilia comes to mind, for one) that I think offer exchange rods.

Btw, 263 journals are a different size, you need 248 stuff.


Ray

 

I found this article when I was looking into this too . http://forums.aaca.org/f165/babbitt-bearings-machine-my-rods-inserts-220005.html . good luck with your decision

 

The use of the later crank and rods is the simplest but make sure you get it fitted correctly. It is done by many who like to work on these amazing engines. The torque that engine produces in any for (246, 263, 320) is enough to get a lot of attention. There is one here in a Lakes Roadster using 1:88 gears. He gets pushed to 80 MPH and then takes off. Not a high RPM engine but the torque at 2,000 RPM is an eye catcher. Work with the heads also is very productive.
Normbc9

 

Are you able to tell how late a 1949 248 has to be for the insert bearings like a casting number on the block?
Its got me thinking about my 248 now.
cheers Darren

 

248,263 0r 320? Many have a lot in common. All were a dependable torque monster. No wonder why Buick kept them for as long as they could?
Normbc9

 

Nice pic dude!!!!!

 

how much can be milled off the head? .100 to bump compression up without having any interference problems? Jeff