I AM FIXING A 1966 BUICK LESABRE. THE COVER OVER THE CARB SAYS 350 WILDCAT, BUT THE OWNERS MANNUAL SAYS THE CAR HAS A 340 WILDCAT. BY THE WAY DOES ANYBODY ON THIS SITE OWN A 1966 BUIK LESABRE IF SO I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY ALL I SEE R RIVI, SKYLARK, AND CENTREY.
Buick called all of it's motors of that vintage a "Wildcat xxx" and the xxx number designation refers to the ft/lbs of torque.
thats correct the wildcat 375 was 350 cid, wildcat 365 a 340cid, and etc. SO u might have 300 or 340 2 barrel version. My guess.
Wildcat 375 in 340-4 only 365 ft. pounds Most of the Buick cars from '66 included the same small block V-8 (I think except the ELECTRA). I don't have the manual in front of me. I believe your LESABRE has a 340 cubic inch with a 2 barrel carb.. That is why they call it a Wildcat 350. The Wildcat number is in torque, or at least close). My air cleaner on my 1966 Skylark says Wildcat 375. It has a 340 4-Barrel. But if you look in the book it says 365 ft. pounds. I wonder why they put Wildcat 375 not Wildcat 365? Bob Jerseysky66
I meant to say this in my first line on the last reply. (had to get some coffee). I think all the '66 buick models offer the same line of small block V8's except for the Electra which I think only had the big motor. I just looked in My manual. On the fuel requirements page it says. Engine Code Engine Carb Comp. Ratio Fuel Grade MH 225 Cu. In. Wildcat V- 2 9.0:1 Regular ML 300 Cu. In.Wildcat 310 2 9.0:1 Regular MA 340 Cu. In.Wildcat 350 2 9.0:1 Regular MB 340 Cu. In.Wildcat 375 4 10.25:1 Premium MR 400 Cu. In. Wildcat 445 4 10.25:1 Premium In the back section of the Manual on the Engine Specifications and data page it has the torque listed at 2400 rpms except for the Wildcat 445 at 2800 rpm. it is listed as follows. Wildcat V6 235 ft. lbs. Wildcat 310 310 ft. lbs Wildcat 350 340 ft. lbs Wildcat 375 365 ft. lbs Wildcat 445 445 ft. lbs This is out of the manual for my car. The small blocks should be the same as the LESABRA. Bob Jerseysky66
To refine the info above a bit more... As I understand it, the 300/2V was the base V8 in the Special/Skylark only. The 340/2V was the base in the LeSabre, optional in the Special/Skylark and the 340/4V was optional in all the A and B body cars, and the big block option was available in the B bodies. JMC
Hey Harry, I don't have any digital pictures of my car and my scanner is broken. Hopefully I will be getting the car out of the garage for the first time in about a year this week. I have to change the fuel pump. The car is in decent shape, but is in need for some restoration (money is a hold back). I have been looking for a few exterior trim pieces with no luck. I think I will be going another year before I finish the car off. I wish I could go out to the nationals and get the rest of the parts, but it is out of my buget. Take care . Bob Jerseysky66 1966 2 door Skylark Wildcat 375
Bob, Well, if I can be of any help in finding stuff, or adapting things to fit, let me know. John , I have heard that the 340-2 was standard in the 1966 A-body station wagons. Is that your belief also?
