Hi, I moved to France from UK two years ago and last year returned to the UK to buy and bring back to France a '64 Buick 300ci 4 door Le Sabre. About 100miles into the journey of 600, the water temp light flashed and I immediately pulled off the autoroute. At tickover the motor could be heard to go dang,dang,dang....once with each revolution. The rad was dry and I was forced to continue the trip, stopping every 10 miles or so th top up, still the engine did seriously overheat. Once back at home I removed the rocker cover and used a piece of wood as a sounding "stethoscope". The noise appeared to be be coming from front RH. As I pressed the wood on the rocker the noise diminished...removing the wood let the noise come back, again slowly. Aha! thought I, its a sticky hydraulic follower. Removed the inlet manifold and cleaned/dismantled all the followers. Back together...just the same Soooo.....Any ideas what fault may display these charecteristics? Its an iron block/ally heads. What other engines will fit easily? (I imported a cheap second hand motor from the UK but it turned out to have the dizzy and starter motor positions reversed. Thanks guys Paul
I am no engine guru, but I would check the valves, pushrods, lifters etc... I have heard the buick 350 will fit in it's place with no modifications! I decided to go a different route with mine!
If you hear the noise once for every revelusion it's not valve related noise, that occurs at 1/2 engine speed. If the noise is every revelusion it could be a collapsed piston or a broken ring caused by the over heating. If it is valve noise check for a worn rocker arm or broken spring. How many miles on the engine? Also post the complete question on the small bloke form for better response.
It sounds to me like you have a spun rod bearing, and may be best off with a enginew swap or rebuild. Your engine is actually a 300 CID iron block with alum head rated at 340 foot pounds of TQ which is why the air cleaner says 340. Read more details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V8_engine You can swap in any 215, 300 or 340 engine with very little mods and still keep your accesories. The Buick 350 is a very good swap option if you can find one and there a is a swap thread right here: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=169209 The oil pan will need to be modified as shown inthe thread above but otherwise VERY easy swap and the 350 is a great engine with plenty of parts available for it.
yeah - heat and old aluminum heads are not a good combo . left a nice runnin 64 'sabre off the road in syracuse new york . well , it WAS nice runnin . short heater hose in back of motor split as i was going along about 70mph and temp gauge decided not to work . started it up with one of the spark plugs out and had water gushing out of the spark plug hole . after it cooled it would not turn over . anyway - no matter what the noise is , if you fix it be sure and check out heads , don't take for granted they are ok or it could be alot of work for nothin' . del
Thanks for the input so far guys. Incidentally, why do you think the noise stopped when I was pressing the wood on the valve rocker? Because I was reducing the compression by holding the valve open? I think the swap maybe the way to go.....but finding one here is gonna be a hell of a job. Is there a thread on here for (god forbid!) slotting in a 350 Chevy)? Thanks again
The current 300 xframe pan should bolt to the 350 with no issues..so shouldnt have any clearence issues
Is there a thread on here for (god forbid!) slotting in a 350 Chevy)? dude. you're from England, get a ~2000 Rover v8. from 1965-2004, the Rover v8 either is the Buick 215 or a variation on the Buick 215. the 300 is also a variation of the 215 ( Rover guys often use 300 cranks to stroke the block ), so any Rover mechanic should be able to help you out. another possibility you might not think of, the 231ci, 3.8L and 4.1L v6 GM engines are variations of the 300 / 215 design. lots of factory turbo and super charged options available in those.
Thanks again for the replies. Had considered a Rover. Has anyone installed one here?....I have built a couple of customs with them. Being aluminium, does it effect the ride height at the front? Mounts, headers,hoses etc a problem? Trans compatibility? Thanks
:error:the Buick 215 and Rover bellhousing patterns are entirely different from the 300 and later small block variants. Big problem for an easy swap!
the Buick 215 and Rover bellhousing patterns are entirely different from the 300 and later small block variants. forgot about that. ou: guess he'll just have to put in a 5 speed transmission while he's at it. :laugh:
Hi Paul..., I was at a car show held at Knebworth house in hertfordshire yesterday and met up again with, after a long period, a guy who brought what i think is your car in from Pennsylvania back a few years! I then bought it off of him in 2000 and did all of the resto...and if i am right it will be pale green with a cream roof, sporting a dark gold and tweedy looking interior??! Only reason i am curious is that he said he had an idea that it went to france.... and i had a bit of a google when i got home!... and lo and behold! I would like to hear back and see if it is my old car, and also.... i am sorry to learn of the engine woes, but it was fine when i had her and i know the guy who i sold it to had engine work done on it!! Maybe not very well by the sound of it! Hope to hear back Trevor... )
