Head and block mods
 

Concerning Buick 215/Classic/defender/disco 1/Disco 2: I was talking to a machinist. He said the biggest issue concerning HG failure is at the back water jacket(common knowledge).

He knows some guys that have prepped race motors and they weld a small brace inside the top of the water jacket on the head to keep the opening from expanding, thus limiting movement and HG failure.

Thoughts?

My brother in law is very skilled with aluminum welding and I'm thinking of doing it to my next set, in addition: why not do the water jacket on the block so they match?

just find a 215 Buick block and your problems are over, Buick cast the steel
liner in place. And a Buick 215 will easily take a .40 over bore some .60.


Go on a Buick site you will never hear anything about slipped or dropped liners.


LR was the one that decided to install them after the block was cast.
they started with problem of liner dropping in early 3.5 so the cast a shelve for the liner to rest on.


where are all the 215 Buick block England they saw the problem right off, didn't try to fix the LR block they got Buick block.


I believe a 215 w .40 overbore and a 4.6 crank would give to a pretty stout little 300 cu in engine.

I'm wondering if the Buick's had the same HG issue. This mod would not solve a liner problem, but should reduce the failure of the HG at the water jacket.

what is the theory? the brace would limit expansion or?

Eggxactly

Buick not only cast the liner in place they did not use liner that are smooth on the outside they used likes closer to these

I think I am going to try it on the next set of heads I do. I'm going to talk in detail with the machinist about the size of the bridge, etc.

Also, Now that we are on the subject of water jackets. The mechanic that showed me how to do head Gaskets suggested I use a thin layer of Dirko or Hylomar on the block, Heads, and Lower intake water ports.

I have done this the last 2 times I did head gaskets with no ill effects.

The machinist also said this is the right thing to do. I have used Dirko both times but was told Hylomar was also a good option.

I like liquid nails, instead

i was going to get that dirko stuff last time.......forgot to order it. i just used copper coat