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NixVegaGT wrote:For the sake of authenticity, the Pontiac badged 215 was the Olds configuration.

Yeah, but I don't think anyone would really know the difference except the 0.000000013 percent of the people at any given car show. Ha ha ha ha
In fact, the Pontiac 215 didn't even have any identifying badgeing indicating it was a "Pontiac" engine at all. I just want folks to know it's not a SBC 350.

Heck, most folks don't even know that the Vega didn't come from the factory with a SBC V8. Just last weekend, while up in the mountains, I had a fella ask what was in my '73. I said it was all stock...... he then said, "A 350?" I just said, "No, original 4-cylinder."...... and turned away. I didn't feel like discussing it right then.

At least he felt inquisitive enough to ask.......

The cool part the Repco engines is that you can still get almost any part to make your 215 an actual OHC Repco engine, thank you vintage racing crowd.

I worked for a shop out of CT when I was in college and we had brand new 40 year old parts show up from far flung places every so often. The magnesium front covers are a sight to behold...(drool)

The 215 is an awesome little engine, it was even stroked to 5.0 liters by TVR and with 4 down-draft Dell'ortos made 450+ horsepower in the Tuscan Challenge cars.

Yeah good point, Dwight. LOL! I guess I added that for those of us who have OCD about numbers and stuff.

My engine should end up at 340 lbs. with the extra weight of the 300 crank and balancing, along with the extra webbing of the late Rover blocks.

Nic, what are you doing about ignition?

Thanks for asking, Matt. I'm starting out with an HEI from a 350, it bolts right up to the 215. I'm not sure how it will do. I hope to have a crank triggered system in a couple years when I convert to EFI.

I was under the assumtion the newer Rover blocks didn't have provisions for a dizzy. I thought you were building one of the newer block. I must be mistaken. If you don't mind sharing, how much do you have into this build already and what do you think the total will be?

They were built with no dist. but lucky for us the Buick common front cover bolts right on. I have a later V6 cover for it with an oil pump upgrade. The obvious benefit to the late block is the cross-bolted mains. It's really sturdy making it a perfect candidate for stroke upgrades.

The front cover without the dist is nice because it has a crank driven oil pump that is much better. A guy could run a crank triggered ignition with that.

I have $4909.57 into it now. I figure about $5800 total. Here's a cost breakdown so far:

Machine work:

Head work $893.10
(sorry no itemization)
Crank prep $238
Block prep $287.53

Rod rebuild $160
Narrow Rods $80
Polish beams $60

Hone pistons to Chevy pins $80
Trial fit pistons $68

Balance assembly $400
Weld crank weights $250
Trial assemble short block $700
(includes blueprinting)
Misc shop charges $22


Parts:

Rod bearings $40
ARP rod bolts $84
Ford 255 Pistons $135
Chevy Z28 302 Rods $100
Main Bearings $125
Double roller timing chain $48.40
Rings $35
Crower Cam $175
Valve Springs $65
Flywheel Conversion (300 crank) $320
Valves (Pontiac/VW) $85.74
300 Crank $100
Harmonic balancer (300) $33
300 Heads $165
Crank scraper $59.80
Rear seal kit (300 crank) $90
Front seal conversion kit $10
Valve covers $59.75

Total: $4909.57


The block prep is kinda lost because I'm having flanged liners pressed in now. I guess compared to some big builds out there this isn't that much but I don't have much so it's a big deal to me. As you can see a lot of cost would not be in a 215 build. That's also why I'm taking so long. I need to save up for each part. I'm really close now. I have everything ready just the block to finish and I can assemble again.

I am seriously thinking about a 215 for my Astre wagon. I was just on Ebay and there is a 215 for rebuild on there. Included are block, origional crank, cam, timing gears, and pistons & rods. The motor was locked up but after they removed the pistons, the crank turns easily, the crank bolts were not loosened. I do not have the big bucks to have an engine built right away but will have to amass the parts one by one too. I do have a local engine builder who has built high performance engines. I am basically looking for a daily driver with decent gas milage (dreaming I suppose). 200hp would be nice.
Do you guys think that that engine on Ebay would be a decent place to start on a low budget or should I look elsewhere?
The motor is out of a 62 Skylark and has been sitting for 15 years.

Shannon,

I just PM'd a guy on my V8Buick.com site from BC. He's pretty active on the small block buick scene. I know he recently had a spare 215 handy. Here's what I wrote to him:
***************************
Sean,

Hey buddy! You still got that spare 215 up there? There is a guy on my Vega list that is looking for one. He's in BC too. Let me know!


Thanks man!
__________________
Nic '73 Vega GT Aluminum Wildcat 355
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2357894
********************************

I'll let you know what he says. I say wait on the 215. There might be one right in your neighborhood. Maybe Sean has a good place to look.

Thanks

No luck on his spare. I asked him to let me know if he knows a good place to get a spare 215 in your neck of the woods:

*************************

Thanks man!
I actually have a bunch of $ tied up in that 215 since its at the machine shop right now. I'm going single turbo with it! going back in my vega!!!!

Sorry.
__________________
76 Century 4 door,350-4, Q jet, Poston intake, Lunati cam, hookers,= 20+mpg hwy and 2 tons of fun!

75 Regal being built with: 350, Q-jet, 150 shot, Hookers, 3" duals, 4 speed

73 Century 350 with 44,000 miles, to be driver come spring

85 Buick Regal to be caged, tubbed, blacked out and twin turbo 350

Sponsored by Jeramie (rdj59), and Mark (Justa350)
Plus:$436 in donations towards testing form members

780-881-6567
seanbuick76@hotmail.com
780-881-6567

Ok, thank you. I will keep looking.

Currently two 215's in Florida and one in Tennessee......... ebay.

http://search.ebay.com/buick-215_eBay-M ... RCHQ3aSRCH

Of the two engines on there, one is pick up only. The other one is coming from FL and shipping would be a killer. I will keep looking closer to home.

I searched my local craigslist. I didnt find a specific buick 215, but I did see this....sounds interesting, if I had the cash.... a 215 powered S15..

http://rochester.craigslist.org/car/533976810.html


""1983 s15 pickup shortbox standard cab, black exterior,graphite interior, custom wheels,lights,grill,interior. motor is a all aluminum v8 w a manual 5 speed. truck has never seen a winter in its life, this the real deal very hard to find a truck this clean anymore. the engine in this truck is also very rare its a 1962 buick 215 thats right a 215 and its all aluminum motor has been bored .030 over it has a crane fireball cam, offenhauser intake, holley carb,mallory ignition and many other performance upgrades. truck is a real head tuner again not something you see everyday especially this clean. anymore questions i can be reached at 1-585-662-8123. sorry no pics rite now truck is in storage."""