Buick V8 engine
The Buick V8 is a family of V8 engines produced by the Buick division of General Motors between 1953 and 1981. The first version replaced the Buick straight-eight. Displacements vary from 215 cu in (3.5 L) (for the division's unique all-aluminum early 1960s engine) to 455 cu in (7.5 L) for its last big block in 1976. All are naturally aspirated OHV pushrod engines, except for an optional turbocharged version of the short-lived 215 used in the 1962-63 Oldsmobile Jetfire.
| Buick V8 engine | |
|---|---|
401 cu in "Nailhead" in a 1964 Buick Wildcat | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Buick (General Motors) |
| Also called | Fireball V8 (nickname) Nailhead (1953–1966) |
| Production | 1953–1981 Buick City (engine block and heads) Saginaw Metal Casting Operations |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | 90º V8 |
| Displacement | 215–455 cu in (3.5–7.5 L) |
| Cylinder bore | 3.5–4.31 in (88.9–109.5 mm) |
| Piston stroke | 2.8–3.9 in (71.1–99.1 mm) |
| Cylinder block material | Cast iron, Aluminum |
| Cylinder head material | Cast iron, Aluminum |
| Valvetrain | OHV 2 valves x cyl. |
| Compression ratio | 8.8:1–11.0:1 |
| Combustion | |
| Turbocharger | In 1962-63 Oldsmobile Cutlass only |
| Fuel system | Carter AFB or Rochester carburetors |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled |
| Output | |
| Power output | 150–360 hp (112–268 kW) |
| Torque output | 220–510 lb⋅ft (298–691 N⋅m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Dry weight | 318–467 lb (144–212 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Buick straight-eight |
| Successor | |
Six displacements of the engine were used in two generations between 1953 and 1966, varying from 264 cu in (4.3 L) to 425 cu in (7.0 L); three displacements of standard cast-iron small blocks between 1964 and 1981, and 300 cu in (4.9 L) and 350 cu in (5.7 L); one of the 215 cu in (3.5 L) aluminum blocks (1961-1963); and three big blocks between 1967 and 1976 and 400 cu in (6.6 L) and 455 cu in (7.5 L).
Some of these Buick V8s, such as the 350, 400, and 455, had the same displacements as those from other GM divisions, but were otherwise entirely different engines.