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PaulStirling
Paul Stirling

(3 posts)

Registered:
12/03/2015 09:51AM

Main British Car:
Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: PaulStirling
Date: December 03, 2015 10:03AM

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
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6469 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: December 03, 2015 10:15AM

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
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4512 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: December 03, 2015 12:35PM

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.

[en.wikipedia.org]

[www.v8forum.co.uk]

[www.gomog.com]

[www.roversd1.nl]

[www.britishv8.org]



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/2015 10:17PM by MGBV8.
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perrymgbv8
Perry Stephenson

(188 posts)

Registered:
12/06/2007 02:50PM

Main British Car:
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: perrymgbv8
Date: December 03, 2015 06:17PM

For background on the car you should visit [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
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: Moderator
Date: December 04, 2015 12:47AM

This is a pretty cool old article too: [www.britishv8.org]

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


PaulStirling
Paul Stirling

(3 posts)

Registered:
12/03/2015 09:51AM

Main British Car:
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: PaulStirling
Date: December 05, 2015 05:09AM

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
DSC_0625.jpg
DSC_0631.jpg


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: Moderator
Date: December 05, 2015 09:13AM

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
Paul Stirling

(3 posts)

Registered:
12/03/2015 09:51AM

Main British Car:
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: PaulStirling
Date: December 05, 2015 10:42AM

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


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6469 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: December 05, 2015 12:09PM

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
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4512 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Costello Buick 215 block
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: December 07, 2015 11:08AM

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


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