Break out the check books boys... http://www.espritv8.net/id331.htm Greg PS Those valve covers WILL bolt onto a stock 350 head.
Thanks for the link! I was hoping to see some updates and pics of the 6.0l engine.:TU: That thing has some serious potential!!:bglasses:
Tell me this engine was originally based on the 215 buick v8 from the early 60's... Just imagine if this block is almost the same as a 350 Buick, if it could be modified slightly to use a stock 350 crank, stock 350 rods, and stock 350 pistons... Then when TA comes out with their aluminum heads, watch out!!! I can dream... I wish I could see more of the bare block, like from the front with no timing cover, etc.. Dan
Engine based on Buick 215? - Yes! Almost the same as Buick 350? - Yes\No. Wildcat\Rover block has shorter deck and 2.5" mains. Head bolt pattern is the same as all Buick small blocks however. Can cut down Buick 350 crank to fit, but, 350 rods are too long for this block. Front of block looks like this. WILL fit ANY Buick small block or FWD V6 timing cover. Will take ANY Buick 215/300/340 camshaft. Greg
How hard could it be to re-engineer this block to accept a 350 crank and put in more deck height so it is almost the same internally as a 350?? They say the 6.0L block has a 4.00" bore, that would mean it needs a 3.642" Stroke to get 6.0L (5999.42cc) or 366.1 cubes... Another .2 and the stroke will be equal to the current 350.. But a 4" bore, how cool would that be... Don't 350 chevys have a 4" bore?? I know 5.slow's do... Imagine using that block (after being modified to take a 350 crank and rods) using the large journaled 350 crank, 350 rods, and overly abundant and cheaper 5.0L pistons in whatever CR we want, maybe 10.5:1 cause aluminuim is supposed to help with detonation, and using TA's aluminum 350 heads, flowing in the 280 or so range... Using TA 212 cam I pull 450 hp and 450 torque outta something like this... But then there's the question of even though it evolved from a Buick design, if it were produced by TA or someone as a Buick block, would it still be a Buick??? Or would it be like those Merlin blocks, heavily based on chevy engines, but no chevy engines?? Dan
That 6.0l block looks like everything we could want in a Buick small block! I guess a little more stroke clearance and maybe some more deck height would be a plus though! Anyone see any prices on the block or complete engine?
Not to pop your balloon, but, a long time ago (1973) in a land far away (Austalia) there actually was a tall deck version of the 215 built. And it CAN take a cut down 350 crank and stock 350 rods. That's it on the far right. Anyway, enough trivia, back to the Wildcat. Greg
Greg, what cars did this Australian block come in? I live in Australia and could maybe source some info on these blocks. Bill S.
What was the main journal size on those blocks? I think the 350 is 2.75" or something like that.. I know its close to 3". Dan
Bill, you've never heard of the Leyland P76? Hmmm.... I thought everybody down there knew about that. http://www.leylandp76.itgo.com/michaelliving.html http://au.geocities.com/p76cortina/P76intoTC.html Main size was 2.5495" (no kidding) Greg
Ah yes, the Leyland P76. Apparently you can put a 44 gallon drum in the trunk (or 'boot' as we call it in Australia) and close it. A lot of people thought that wasn't a good enough reason to buy the car though. Go figure o No: Bill S.
Take a closer look at the bolt pattern for the front cover on that block and you will notice it is different...It is the early front cover bolt pattern...Look close around the water pump inlets and outlets into the block...The later pattern has 3 bolt holes around each one...
Granted, the front cover pattern IS the early Buick small block and V6 pattern. Nontheless, the later Buick RWD and early RWD front covers will bolt on. Just uses one less bolt per side. Works just fine. Greg
Re Wildcat 6.0 litre (366 Cu In) :Comp: Thanks Greg for informing me about the interest in the 4.0" bore Wildcat V8, I promised him I'd write so here goes....... The engine blocks are indeed based upon the Buick engine, however, these blocks are very special. The blocks have come about as a result of a close relationship between Ian Richardson of Wildcat Engineering and Land Rover, Ian has been modifying Rover V8s for years,( his engine building experience dating back to working for John Wyer on the Le Mans winning Ford GT40s). Ian back in 1995 was producing some new cylinder heads, the prototypes being fitted to my 5.0 litre,it soon became apparent to Ian that bore shrouding was going to limit the power you could get from his cylinder heads, what he needed were bigger bores. However there was not enough material in the Rover blocks to increase them more, the answer came when MG Rover decided to build the EX255 land speed record car, the aim was to build the fastest MG and beat the previous record, the target being 300MPH, to do this they built a car loosly based on an MGF and worked out they needed about 1000 BHP ! the car needed to be fitted with a Rover engine to keep it British........a Twin turbo Rover V8 was the answer, the only problem was that the existing block would be too weak and so the project team asked for Ian's assistance. As a result some special blocks were cast with a lot of extra material at the base of the block where the liners are fitted. The EX255 engine was built by Janspeed and produced 1000 BHP, however the speed attempt was sadly ruined by a faulty clutch release mechanism (rumour has it another attempt may be on the cards......I hope so). Anyways these beefed up blocks were also capable of taking 4.0" liners and Ian managed to get a number of extras produced. The engine I am building is another protoype, we are hoping that with stage 2 full race heads and fuel injection that it will produce between 550BHP and 600BHP (normally aspirated). which should make my 1600lb car pretty nippy ! The build is progressing slowly due to work, but I will be recording the build on my website as I go. For more info visit the Wildcat website. Wildcat Website Hope you enjoyed the tale, keep visiting my website for details on the build at http://espritv8.net Simon :beer PS what does a buick V6 front cover look like ? anyone got a piccy ?
Simon - Thanks for joining us here on the V8 board!:TU: That 4.000" bore block is VERY interesting!!:bglasses: Not to mention the turbo block - sounds even beefier!!:TU: :TU: Looks like a very well designed block!
Re: Re Wildcat 6.0 litre (366 Cu In) PS what does a buick V6 front cover look like ? anyone got a piccy ? [/QUOTE] Sure thing Simon. Front sides Left to right: 1973 P76 1965 Buick 300 1986 Buick V6 RWD (Aftermarket)
