In the March 2011 issue of Hot Rod magazine there is an 8 page story on hot rodding odd ball engines. The author used the 300 CI Buick V-8 as an example. He shows how to get 390 HP! Nothing real fancy.
Hi Butch (aka WildKitty)!
Glad to hear that your 300 has come back to life!
Groan . . . . you bring back bad memories of tuning the car da'hard way! Around 1980, I just couldn't put up with the skinned knuckles and the rest every 3000 miles and put in an electronic ignition. When I started on the restoration repairs last March I had the shop put in one of those newer electronic ignition units that fit entirely under the distributor cap. Yeah I know, definitely not authentic, but the goal has always been for our Buick wagon to be a daily driver, so the frequent tuning sessions really had become a drag. Besides, I like the skin on my fingers - where it is!
Definitely sounds like you are in good shape! The engine cannot sound good unless the running parts are indeed running smoothly and in sync!
Sounds like your La LeSabre is going to look as nice at it sounds when you have all put back together!
Great Job!
Keep up the good work!
Edouard
In the March 2011 issue of Hot Rod magazine there is an 8 page story on hot rodding odd ball engines. The author used the 300 CI Buick V-8 as an example. He shows how to get 390 HP! Nothing real fancy.
darn, darn darn,...
300 sounds so good, starts instantly, water choke functions perfectly, 21/22in vacuum- steady as a rock... BUT.. really low oil pressure;
9-10lbs @ idle, 15-18lbs @ 2,000 rpms.
I "thought" I had a very capable mechanic rebuild the oil pump. he
did everything by the book (I think); packing it with vasoline before
closing it up.
I had low oil pressure when I first fired it up, but I wanted to install
the headers before doing a 20-30 min run. we did that today; got the
timing right; which was only a hair off, checked for leaks, let it heat up to
190, then turned on the electric fan (will have a thermo switch later),
it steadied off at about 180.
even bled to new oil pressure guage getting a trickle, not a "squirt".
mechanic today said I should try a performance oil filter.
I put in 5/30 synthetic oil.
any ideas before I tear into the oil pump again?
thanks
Butch
I woud try 10w30 oil. As long as you have 30 psi at 2000 rpms, and 50 psi at 4000 rpms you should be fine.
Sean G
70 Skylark-Twin turbo 350 powered
75 Regal-350
76 Century-350
78 Skyhawk-V6
and 18 spare Buick 350s in the barn.
[quote=WildKitty;77353]
well, sorta large kitten.
I can confirm...last week i started my 300:a large mad kitten!!yyyyhaaaaa!!
Walt,
i'd suspect it wouldnt be much different than a stock 340 with a cam. ported heads also help the cylinders fill at low RPM and would have an effect on hp and torque at lower rpms. dont forget that they used a stock intake and theres only so much you can open one up so i'd bet the port velocity was still pretty high. high port velocity means high torque
Bob Gibbs
running 30lbs oil pressure attabout 1,000 rpms.
I put the original oil pressure release valve spring back in.
there was at least 1/2" difference (the original spring was
longer).
Nuther Q?: should I leave all the spark plug wires the same length?
or can they be cut to make a better looking wire loom? - they are 8MM.
I'm going to try to run all the wiring outta sight (well, almost); run the harness through the center consol (which will be front to rear). - lots of
room for the a/c hoses also.
did got with 10/30 syn oil
Bookmarks