Anything new from the straight 8 hot rodders?

[nali]

The same bell housing means the same ignition ?
I dont think Buick 248 / 263 / 320 share the same bell housing as any car .
So .... If we find that right , many ppl here will this happy .

/ gone to RockAuto to get a T5 bolt on :P

[nali]

sorry , have no idea why theres so much scrap on my posts .

[Peter c]

Hummm yes the I8 motors dont share much with (ANYTHING) with other engines.
I am racking my brains trying to remember the name of the English ignition firm who claimed to be able to adapt ANY distributor to electronic.
This would certainly solve all our problems.
Also (and I have no idea if this could be applied to I8 motors) I remember a few years ago in English Enthusiast Magazines (think Land Rover International was one of them) an English eletronic expert marketing under "open licence" distributerless computer controlled ignition systems for 4 \ 6 \ 8 cylinder engines.
Seems I shall have to give my memory a comprehensive working over dont it???.
Back later Peter C.

[saltracer]

http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/

[Peter c]

THANX SALTRACER for the link, I just checked them out and their list of avaliable systems is COMPREHENSIVE to sat the least.
The English firm I was thinking of is www.distributorless.com however they don't seem to offer systems for the less common motors.
So I shall investigate your link further.
Back later Peter C.

[tom walker]

Hi guys, talking sparks, anyone who runs an old motor may have problems with their old dizzy. If you cant get the parts ie caps or points, then you ve got trouble. I recently had a nightmare with my original DR unit on a 1950 Cad 331 v8. Everything on it was worn. It was a simple job to get a nearly new SB Ford Mallory distributor off ebay and turn the body down to fit the Cad. I had to shorten the shaft as well, but it was no real work, and now I have a well made distributor with good spares supply. I'm sure it would work with the Buick.

Direction of rotation is no problem as there are both commonly available, you just need to make sure the unit you buy has more meat on it than the one youre replacing, so everything is turned down to size on the lathe. Obviously firing order is nt a problem, just connect the leads up right !

Cheers, Tom.

[Peter c]

Yah thanx.
INTERESTING idea, one I hadn't thought would work but would certainly be cheaper than a specialist alternative.
Peter C.

[Zoomdog]

I'm new to the whole forum thing, but after reading through this thread, I am excited. I have a 263 with dynaflow that I have not disassembled yet. My reticence came from inexperience, but lately it is simply a lack of time. I am heartened by the wealth of information here. I simply want to build a mild running engine for a street roadster. Would like to use the dynaflow but have no idea if the rear of the trans can be closed to accept a driveshaft yoke. It looks like I can make a "can" to bolt on where the torque tube used to be with a seal in the back. Any ideas or problems I have no clue about?

[Peter c]

Hi Zoomdog I doubt there are any hidden \ suprise issues maybe you should consider using a TurboHydo 400 out of a Chev but the old Dynaflow certainly has appeal.
What sort of roadster are you building a traditionl hot rod \ M.G or simlar with Straight 8 or a scratch built???.
Have you ever read the Bonner the Outrider Series???, they were popular 25 or so years ago and speaking from memory Bonners machine was a tube framed one of powered by a big Straight 8.
I cannot remember if the motor was a Buick though I'm wanting to say a Lycombing Straight 8 for some reason???.
Anyway as you browze the forum and Team Buick in genral you'll discover a wealth of knowlegde to assist you.
Back soon Peter.

[Peter c]

Hey Zoomdog and everyone else I'm back I remembered a thread to the Outrider books www.survivalplus.com
ANYWAY the point being the car used by the main character is a tube chassied special powered by a Straight 8 Lycoming ex Power Boat Engine, yah NOT a Buick 8.
BUT consider using our favourite inline 8 it'd be possibile to build a replica that might be bizzare but still road legal.
Anyway just a wierd thought be back later Peter.