I say the 3800 motor. Probably one of the last push rod engines built.

Well I think that is an interesting question. I like the 430, why? Well because it sounds good 430, 430, 430! Everyone knows you can't beat the cubes, so why not 455? I don't know... http://www.buicks.net/forum/frown.gif I am trying hard to find a 425 nailhead but again the 2nd gen. big block is obviously better, and some of these new engines you've gotta admit are getting pretty impressive again

What a question!!! My own favourite would be the good old 425 nailhead, but each of the different engines has its' champions. Certainly one the longest lasting is the old 215 alloy v8, which lives on as a Rover engine, in capacities up to 4.6 ltr, and even as a specially converted 5.0 ltr by TVR.
Which do you think is best?

You will probably get as many answers as Buick built engines. The 3800 in all its configurations has to be at the top of the list,but the guys that like torque will opt for the 425 or the 455, while the really old dudes(like me) wil say that the straight eight when it was introduced in
1931 was the greatest thing since sliced bread. They do have a point, as the big 344 incher had roller lifters, springs on the lifters for high RPM, a dual disc clutch and a door that opened in the hood for ramming cold air into the carb. You have to admit that for the year, these were some awesome engineering feats.

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Joe T
37Buick coupe /455 powered
40 Super convert
72 GS455 convert 13.0/105
63 225 2dr Hard top 25K original miles

OF course the Turbo Charged 3.8 in the Grand National was awsome.

I would have to say the 3800. My mother has a '90 Park Avenue Ultra with just over 215,000 miles on it. She changes the oil about every 7,000 to 8,000 miles and the engine is still very strong. The rest of the car is not so venerable.

I suppose I should put in my 2 cents.

The Grand National were awsome??? Yes, but not as fast as a stock GS Stage 1. Given the base engine in them was a 3.8 that was very usefull as a doorstop or boat anchor, I would hardly say is was one the best engines ever made. It was however, quick. Amazing what you can do with a blower, fuel injection, and a real low first gear ain't it!

The 3800 is a really good utility engine. That's about as far as that engine will ever go. And, it not really BUICK. It's corporate!
Buick doesn't build engines anymore. It is a redesign of the 3.8 litre Buick, which started life as 225 cubic inches of shake rattle and roll! It was so bad, Buick sold the design to Jeep! Then bought it back when we "ran out" of oil in '73.

I too loved the old Nail head engines, but they left a lot to be desired above 4000 rpm. They are more difficult to work on than the later big block Buicks.

The straight 8 was strong, had a bushel of torque, and was silky smooooooooooooothe. Great engine.

For ease of maintenance, durability, drivability, torque, light weight, and outright awsome power, the 400, 430, 455 was tough to beat. It's too bad they had such a short life. MPFI, and a turbo would have made them incredible.

My money is on the 430 of '67 for many reasons. Second is the '70 Stage 1.

For transmission, hands down it is the ST400. Switch the pitch and off you go!

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Hillbilly
67 Buick Electra Conv
70 GS Stage 1
73 Gran Sport Stage 1
ASE Certified Master Tech
GM Master Tech
Support this site, CLICK HERE! (http://www.amazon.com/paypage/PCRN533B587O2)

[This message has been edited by DeuceNa1/4 (edited 01-07-2003).]

Gonna disagree with you on that, I like the GN engines a lot. Both cars ran low 14's from the factory, but the GN could be put in the 12's with barely any work. A 455 could also go in the 12's, but it would take a lot more effort.

However it may be a moot point since the 3.8 was more of a corporate motor...

-Bob Cunningham
bobc@gnttype.org

It's sort of an apples and oranges thing tho....

It's hard to compare a turbo-charged fuel injected car to one with a carb isn't it.

I'm just saying the "base" engine in the GN's was a stone. As built in the GN, it was pretty impressive. It did prove that if you spend enough money and with the right technology, even a brick can fly.

------------------
Hillbilly
67 Buick Electra Conv
70 GS Stage 1
73 Gran Sport Stage 1
ASE Certified Master Tech
GM Master Tech
Support this site, CLICK HERE! (http://www.amazon.com/paypage/PCRN533B587O2)

Alright, I guess I have to add my .02 cents.
The 215 cubic inch was probably the greatest of the small blocks due to the fact it eventually became a 350 and that evolved into the 231.
The big blocks would have to be the 430 for gobs of torque and horsepower, but the nailheads were silky smooth on the torque delivery. Nailhead motors were used in the military to start the big jets in the late 50's and mid 60's.

The 425 is my favorite. For those interested, here is a picture of the 425 start cart discussed in the post above.

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/vfe/vfe17.jpg

There are more pictures of the start cart here (http://www.sr-71.org/photogallery/blackbird/startercart/buick-09.htm).

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Steve B.
GSCA #2173 (1986)
67 GS 525 Stg IV
66 GS Convertible
65 GS HT
63 Riv


[This message has been edited by Dr. Frankenbuick (edited 01-17-2003).]

I would definitely have to go with the 86-87 3.8 Turbo. For the money spent, it would be very difficult to stay with an 86-87 TR and get great milage to boot. However I love the 350s, 430s, and 455s as well.

My moneys on the 455!!

From what I have read of other peoples postings, it seems like every one that has an interest in Buicks has a period which they find most impressive, I guess it has to do with what you had experience with, for whatever reason(there are so many), people found something good about Buicks.
My father and I probably have one of the most interesting collections of engines as far as Buicks are concearned. We possess every size of Nailhead that was made, from the small aluminum 215, to the 264, the 322, the 364, the 401, and the 425. Having multiple quantites of each engine. Along with that a 340 is included in our collection.
My father owned a Boatail 71' Riviera as well(incidentally that was the first car I ever traveled in). He has given me many reasons why the Buick variety of engines are "better", this information escapes me at the moment in such detail, but basically what it boils down to are Quality, and Innovation. Many people tend to forget that Buick was the research and development portion of GM. Everything was prototyped from Buick. All of the research concearning engines happened there. All engines they made had potential in their day. As far as the "best', that probably depends on application. My favorite two would have to be the 425, and the 455.

Good Question!! For small block it would have to be 300 with or without al. heads- good bore/stroke ratio very free flowing and excellent rpm potential. By the way, the original v-6 (198 ci) was developed from the 300-not the 340 or 350.
Asfor big block, i would have to say the 401 (yes, i know its smaller than the 425, but wait!)
the 425's larger bore shrouded the valves so much thatit would literaly run out of breath at about 4400 rpm's. So the increase in bore was actually a
detriment. The 401 had limited rpm potntial for the same reason, it would actually wind so tight-and no tighter( i have actually done this-accidentally). With ported exhausts and larger exhaust valves i have seen 401's get into the high 6000 range. But the difference is academic because what we want is LOW-END TORQUE and the 401 has it in spades. Yes, the stage 1 is awsome but has problems the nailhead dosent have-namely oiling and sever cam bearing wear. but they are all buick so we love them all