Need help!! Seems Buick provided Buick 300 motors to OMC in the mid 60's for 1 of their boat lines. Dad bought boat new in the 60's and I just bought it back from 2nd owners widow. Her kids used it last and left water in block, C R A C K! Been having a real hard time finding a block and or parts locally and was wondering if anyone can recommend a replacement Buick engine other than 300 "with same bolt patterns." Didn't want to spend $1,000 on water jackets and bell housing for lower unit. Any suggestions appreciated. Paid $500 for the boat and trailer. Wanted to get back in shape for under $1000. Engine will crank and run, but has at least 1 "small" hairline crack around freeze plugs which were rusted in place. Can this be repaired?? Wouldn't mind a hot tip on a 300 either!!!
Chomper... First question... are you sure it's a Buick 300? I don't remember OMC using these engines then. The V6, yes (as did Volvo-Penta). But then, that's 30+ years ago... So, if it is a 300 block, they show up here and on eBay fairly frequently. Tough little motor, so that would be the easiest fix, assuming that there are no special features for a marine engine. Many marine applications had blocks specially cast for the purpose, had changes such as four bolt mains, better oiling, additional webbing cast in stress areas, etc. They also usually had different cams, pistons, etc. Unmodified car motors don't do well when asked to run extended periods at 80-90% power under heavy loads. What will bolt up, again assuming that the pattern on the outdrive housing, is the same as the BOP pattern on an auto 300 are: V6, 215, 300, 340, 350, 400, 430 and 455. What will fit the marine water jackets are probably the 300 only. The 215 and 340 have different deck heights, the 350 is a completely new block and the BBB is, well, just a lot bigger. Given your budget, I'd be temped to clean up the crack really well and see if J-B weld will do the job. I'd sure get the old freeze plugs out and go at the inside with an inspection mirror, too, just to see if there were internal cracks and/or corrosion (especially if this is a salt water application). If the block is an automotive block, you can probably pick up a 300 short block for $0-100, depending on who has it/wants to get rid of it. Donor vehicles: 1964 (aluminum heads and intake) Special/Skylark and LeSabre 1965 (iron heads and intake) Special/Skylare and LeSabre 1966/67 (300/2V is base V8 engine) Special/Skylark Cheers, John
300 motor You know... I happen to have a 300 inch 67 motor I would part with for a song, well maybe a small amount of cash. If you are sure that you need a 300 block the one I have ran when it came out, 10 yrs or so ago. I could also tear it down and check the block for you if that is all you need. E-mail with questions if the thought of shipping from Denver, CO is not too frightening. Time is also at a premium right now as the thrash goes on for Kearney. More time after, of course. Jim jimgATeeidenver.com
I also have a 300 for sale. It's a 65 model, factory 4 barrel set-up (10.25-1 compression) and it's still running. In fact, it's still in the car ! The engine is bolted to a turbo 350 that I just put a new filter and fluid in a couple of months ago. I'm asking $ 500 plus shipping for both, and I'll even throw in a '64 aluminum 4bbl intake manifold ! If you're interested, leave a PM for me. Mark
Buick boating I don't know about the OMC/buick - but Gray marine did use the 300 in many boats up intill '66-7. I had one that i pick up at the local scraper a few years ago. The differences i saw between the Auto and Marine was the following: Heads had a thicker deck, larger valves - 1.78 intake, 1.375 exhaust, Funny balancer - hunk of iron w/ no rubber on it. flywheel is 50 lb. unit not drilled for any pressure plate, I believe a cast iron timing cover,and many Water inlets and outlets everwhere on the motor. Note: that a 215" V-8 and a 198" V-6 are not a BOP common bellhousing as the later 64' up buicks are - they do have the same transmission bolt pattern if using thier unique bellhousing (they have Rabbit Ears at the top)
Doug, Thanks for the correction on the 198/215 bellhousing patterns. We had a Volvo/Penta with the odd-fire V6 in the mid-60's, but I didn't recall any of the details. Cheers, John
