Costello Buick 215 block

PaulStirling · December 03, 2015, 10:03:13 AM

Hi, I'm in Scotland! I have a freshly found genuine 1971 MGB GT Costello that requires full rebuild. From new it was fitted with a V8 engine, number begins with "JM" which I believe is a 1963 Buick 215 block. It requires a full rebuild. Costello fitted Buick blocks along with Rover ancilliaries / heads etc. Can anyone help me by telling me what obvious differences were between the Buick 215 and Rover blocks and heads etc. please. Cheers Paul

BlownMGB-V8 · December 03, 2015, 10:15:38 AM

Pretty much interchangeable. You can substitute any Rover engine complete. The 3.5L was essentially identical. Rover made some changes later with the displacement increases so watch things like main journal sizes and combustion chamber volumes.

Jim

MGBV8 · December 03, 2015, 12:35:59 PM

Early Rovers were essentially the same, except for the pressed in liners. Later, they improved the heads, strengthened the block, added four bolt mains, bored it, then stroked it...

People say that Rover improved the Buick engine, yet the Buick/ Olds/Pontiac 215 has never, ever had a slipped liner since it is cast in place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_V8_engine

http://www.v8forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=133

http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/40difference.htm

http://www.roversd1.nl/sd1web/capacity3.html

http://www.britishv8.org/articles/gm-215-engine-identification.htm

PaulStirling · December 03, 2015, 12:36:52 PM

-- moved topic --

perrymgbv8 · December 03, 2015, 06:17:14 PM

For background on the car you should visit http://www.mgcostello.com/

If it is a geniune Costello conversion you should have a Costello build number plate on the car somewhere ?

This could be a very rare car indeed as Ken made less than 200 of these GT's. Send some pictures of the front suspension setup as I have some experience of working on early Costello's

Perry

Moderator · December 04, 2015, 12:47:13 AM

This is a pretty cool old article too: http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Rover-Autocar-Article.htm

Just one of many interesting Buick and Rover V8 articles in the BritishV8 archive!

PaulStirling · December 05, 2015, 05:09:04 AM

Thanks guys for your input. Perry, the car is confirmed as a genuine Costello by the Costello club and certified by Ken (now sadly just deceased). The car is now stripped and we have confirmation it was fitted with a V8 from when it was first put on the road in December 1971. I have attached a couple of pics showing the altered bulkhead and front crossmember. I really need to know what the engine is so we can get the block to original paint finish. If it is a 1963 Buick 215 block can anyone help with what was its original finish? Thanks

Moderator · December 05, 2015, 09:13:32 AM

Neither Buick nor Olds nor Rover painted their aluminum engines! One of the distinguishing features of the Buick/Olds blocks compared to Rover is a smoother/shinier exterior because they used permanent molds for the outside whereas Rover blocks have a sand-cast finish both inside and out. Another very easy way to distinguish them is that the Buick engine has parallel ridges cast in around the bell housing flange, almost like cooling fins that never matured.

PaulStirling · December 05, 2015, 10:42:42 AM

Thanks. That's helpful. Any other info appreciated!

BlownMGB-V8 · December 05, 2015, 12:09:56 PM

If you want to restore the finish on the block you can have it blasted with soft media such as walnut hulls. Are you rebuilding the engine? The Olds and Buick engines had cast in liners which are easily distinguished from the Rover slip in liners.

Jim

MGBV8 · December 07, 2015, 11:08:55 AM

Pics of the engine in question, including the right, front pad of the block with the the stamped numbers would greatly aid identification.