1951 Buick xp 300 engine

[39CENT]

I was looking for info on the XP 300 so heres what Buick built in '51. pretty far out engine its the first drawing on left [pushrod, and 'pent roof' combustion chamber]

https://www.google.com/search?client...20300%20engine

[bob k. mando]

yah, that engine is likely the origin point for both the 1961 215ci SBB ( it's an all alum design ) as well as the the Nail layout.

the article is kind of weird in that it misses the primary point of the Nail design, being narrow enough to easily mount in a chassis designed for a straight 8. that's why Buick dropped the outboard exhaust valves and straight ports, to keep the engine package from getting too wide.

also, he says the engine was a '216ci'. i was under the impression that it actually was 215, just like the 1961 engine. i don't think i've ever seen bore/stroke specs on the XP300 engine though, so i can't verify that. i'd also be interested to know the bore spacing and deck height.

[39CENT]

It would have been wild if they made a 401 like that, you can see the resemblance. But they made the nailhead for what a car really needs TORQ!
Nailheads were used in Chevy 2 ton trucks if they used the design of the XP 300 in racing they would have blown them Hemi;s away.

[raycow]

The XP-300 engine had nothing in common with the 1961 215 engine. Bore and stroke were both 3.25 in., so 215.69 cu. in.

http://oldcarbrochures.org/NA/GM-Cor...300-Concept-09
http://oldcarbrochures.org/NA/GM-Cor...300-Concept-10

Ray