Skylarks, GSXs, Grand Nationals, Rivieras, Gran Sports; the list of formidable performance Buicks is impressive. From the torque monsters of the 1960s to the high-flying Turbo models of the '80s, Buicks have a unique place in performance history.
During the 1960s, when word of the mountains of torque supplied by the big-inch Buicks hit the street, nobody wanted to mess with them. Later, big-inch Buicks and the Hemi Chryslers went at it hammer and tongs in stock drag shootouts and in the pages of the popular musclecar magazines of the day. The wars between the Turbo Buicks and Mustang GTs in the 1980s were also legendary, as both cars responded so well to modifications.
How to Build Max-Performance Buick Engines is the first performance engine book ever published on the Buick family of engines. This book covers everything from the Nailheads of the '50s and early '60s, to the later evolutions of the Buick V-8 through the '60s and '70s, through to the turbo V-6 models of the '70s and '80s. Veteran magazine writer and Buick owner Jefferson Bryant supplies the most up-to-date information on heads, blocks, cams, rotating assemblies, interchangeability, and oiling-system improvements and modifications, along with details on the best performance options available, avenues for aftermarket support, and so much more. Finally, the Buick camp gets the information they have been waiting for, and it's all right here in How to Build Max-Performance Buick Engines.
Introduction
Chapter 1: Blocks
Nailhead
Small-Block 350
Big Blocks
V-6 Turbo
Main Bearing Cap Studs
Chapter 2: Pistons, Rods and Cranks
Crankshafts
Main Seals
Connecting Rods
Rod Bolts
Pistons
Piston Pins
Rings
Chapter 3: Oiling System Upgrades
Disassembly and Modification
Crankshaft Mods
Close Bearing Tolerances
Oil Pumps
Rear Oil Pressure Gauge Installation
Oil Pans
Motor Oil Considerations
Chapter 4: Cams and Timing Covers
Cam Bearing Options
Oiling System Upgrades
Timing Cover Options
Oil Pump Booster Plate
Cam Thrust Control
Distributor Gear Oiling
Front Main Seal
Lifter Bore Reinforcement
Chapter 5: Cylinder Heads
Gasket Port Matching
Blending the Bowls
Exhaust Porting
Valve Sizing
Valve Jobs
Combustion Chamber Polishing
Heat Crossover Vent Modification
Flow Testing
High-Performance Head Parts
Big-Block Heads
Big-Block Head Porting
Nailhead Cylinder Heads
Aftermarket Head Options
Chapter 6: Valvetrain
Rocker Arms
Pushrods and Lifters
Camshaft
Lifters
Timing Chain
Retainers, Keepers and Springs
Chapter 7: Ignition and Fuel Systems
Distributors
V-6 Turbo
Electronic Timing Boxes
Fuel Systems
Engine Cooling
Chapter 8: Intake, Carbs and Exhaust
Carburetors
Intake Manifolds
Sheet Metal Intake Fabrication
Headers, Manifolds and Exhaust Systems
Chapter 9: Race Engines
Block Preparation
Rotating Assembly
Camshafts
Heads
Induction
Oiling System
Factory Racer Kits
Chapter 10: V-6 Turbo
Turbo System Porting
Turbo Replacement
Intercoolers
Downpipes and Wastegates
Intakes
Fuel Pump
Electronics
Appendix A: Source Guide
Appendix B: 1953-1955 Nailhead Engine Specifications
Appendix C: 1953-1971 Engine Specifications
Appendix D: 1987 3.8L V-6 Turbo Engine Specifications
Skylarks, GSXs, Grand Nationals, Rivieras, Gran Sports; the list of formidable performance Buicks is impressive. From the torque monsters of the 1960s to the high-flying Turbo models of the '80s, Buicks have a unique place in performance history.
During the 1960s, when word of the mountains of torque supplied by the big-inch Buicks hit the street, nobody wanted to mess with them. Later, big-inch Buicks and the Hemi Chryslers went at it hammer and tongs in stock drag shootouts and in the pages of the popular musclecar magazines of the day. The wars between the Turbo Buicks and Mustang GTs in the 1980s were also legendary, as both cars responded so well to modifications.
How to Build Max-Performance Buick Engines is the first performance engine book ever published on the Buick family of engines. This book covers everything from the Nailheads of the '50s and early '60s, to the later evolutions of the Buick V-8 through the '60s and '70s, through to the turbo V-6 models of the '70s and '80s. Veteran magazine writer and Buick owner Jefferson Bryant supplies the most up-to-date information on heads, blocks, cams, rotating assemblies, interchangeability, and oiling-system improvements and modifications, along with details on the best performance options available, avenues for aftermarket support, and so much more. Finally, the Buick camp gets the information they have been waiting for, and it's all right here in How to Build Max-Performance Buick Engines.
Introduction
Chapter 1: Blocks
Nailhead
Small-Block 350
Big Blocks
V-6 Turbo
Main Bearing Cap Studs
Chapter 2: Pistons, Rods and Cranks
Crankshafts
Main Seals
Connecting Rods
Rod Bolts
Pistons
Piston Pins
Rings
Chapter 3: Oiling System Upgrades
Disassembly and Modification
Crankshaft Mods
Close Bearing Tolerances
Oil Pumps
Rear Oil Pressure Gauge Installation
Oil Pans
Motor Oil Considerations
Chapter 4: Cams and Timing Covers
Cam Bearing Options
Oiling System Upgrades
Timing Cover Options
Oil Pump Booster Plate
Cam Thrust Control
Distributor Gear Oiling
Front Main Seal
Lifter Bore Reinforcement
Chapter 5: Cylinder Heads
Gasket Port Matching
Blending the Bowls
Exhaust Porting
Valve Sizing
Valve Jobs
Combustion Chamber Polishing
Heat Crossover Vent Modification
Flow Testing
High-Performance Head Parts
Big-Block Heads
Big-Block Head Porting
Nailhead Cylinder Heads
Aftermarket Head Options
Chapter 6: Valvetrain
Rocker Arms
Pushrods and Lifters
Camshaft
Lifters
Timing Chain
Retainers, Keepers and Springs
Chapter 7: Ignition and Fuel Systems
Distributors
V-6 Turbo
Electronic Timing Boxes
Fuel Systems
Engine Cooling
Chapter 8: Intake, Carbs and Exhaust
Carburetors
Intake Manifolds
Sheet Metal Intake Fabrication
Headers, Manifolds and Exhaust Systems
Chapter 9: Race Engines
Block Preparation
Rotating Assembly
Camshafts
Heads
Induction
Oiling System
Factory Racer Kits
Chapter 10: V-6 Turbo
Turbo System Porting
Turbo Replacement
Intercoolers
Downpipes and Wastegates
Intakes
Fuel Pump
Electronics
Appendix A: Source Guide
Appendix B: 1953-1955 Nailhead Engine Specifications
Appendix C: 1953-1971 Engine Specifications
Appendix D: 1987 3.8L V-6 Turbo Engine Specifications