Buick V8 engine
The Buick V8 is a family of V8 engines produced by the Buick division of General Motors (GM) between 1953 and 1981. All were naturally aspirated OHV pushrod engines, except for a turbocharged version of the Oldsmobile Jetfire 215.
| 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 | |
The Buick V8 family can be divided into four groups: the first (1953–1956) and second (1957–1966) generation Nailhead, the 1961–1980 small-block, and the 1967–1976 big-block. The classification of 'big-block' or 'small-block' refers to the engine block's external dimensions, not displacement.
Some Buick V8s, such as the 350, 400, and 455, have the same displacements as V8s of other GM divisions, but they are entirely different designs. Buick Nailhead V8s can be distinguished by the top surfaces of their valve covers being horizontal (parallel to the ground). Later Buick small- and big-block V8s have a front-mounted distributor tilted to the drivers side (like Cadillacs), but siamesed center exhaust ports (unlike Cadillacs).