Buick cross-compatibility guide?

[chrisk]

I was wondering if anyone knows of a cross-reference guide for Buicks. My dad and I are having trouble finding information on what parts are compatible with what for the older Buicks (mostly '60 buicks, I have a '67 Skylark). For example, I have a 300 small block engine (4.9L V8) on my Skylark, but we have the intake manifold for a 350ci Buick that we would like to put on it. I don't have a way of knowing if the 350 intake manifold will fit the 300 engine (or cross-referencing, as he calls it). Does anyone know of a comprehensive Buick compatibility book of some sort, or it just a matter of going through forums to figure out what is compatible and what's not? I'm sure Buick or someone made one somewhere, I just don't understand where to find it.. Thanks..

[Dr. Frankenbuick]

I guess the Hollander manual would be the resource for compatibility. The 350 manifold will not fit the 300 btw. They used a different valve arrangement and deck height.


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[bob k. mando]

They used a different valve arrangement and deck height.


this. because the 300 / 340 have different valve order from the 350, they have different cams / intakes / exhausts than the 350. the 340 shares deck height with the 350 ... but that doesn't do you any good for top end parts.

Valve Orders
300 == EI, EI, IE, IE
350 == IE, IE, EI, EI

as you can see, none of the runners are going to line up properly. the quick way to verify this for yourself is to look at the center two exhaust runners on each head. on the 300, the two center exh runners will be widely separated because they have to go on the outside of the two center intake runners / intake runners siamesed.

on the 350, the two center exh runners are siamesed and it's the center intake runners which are widely separated.

because the 350 has a taller deck, the intake is also physically wider than will fit on the 300. if you try to mill the intake so it will fit ... expect the runners and bolt holes to be well out of alignment. i think you have to take off something like a 1/4" per side ( or more ) to squeeze it in there.

here is the history of the Buick small block family:
1961-63 == 215ci short deck <<< intakes can be used IF you fabricate spacer plates and valley pans
1964-67 == 300ci mid deck <<< correct size
1966-67 == 340ci tall deck <<< too tall
1968-82 == 350ci tall deck, valve swap

and then there's something completely unexpected:
1967-2004 == Rover 3.5L to 5.0L v8, 215ci aluminum block variants, in metric

there is a 4 barrel intake from the 1964 version of the 300 that you can get. however, IF you get those THEN i would also get the 64 heads. the 64 heads and intake are alum and have narrow runners than the later cast iron stuff. they are, however, very rare. patience will be required.

there is a 4 barrel cast iron intake available for the 300 in 1965-66. this would drop right onto your existing cast iron heads. they are, however, also very rare. you can likely get one, but don't be surprised if it takes the better part of a year. also, be willing to get the whole engine.

here's a couple of 215 / Rover intakes from TA:
http://www.taperformance.com/products.asp?cat=109

notice how the valley is not covered by the intake ...

[chriskco2011]

Thank you guys for the answers, they have helped me greatly