Thread: Odd engine

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I recently found an odd engine someone had dropped off with the scrap iron at our local dump...
Anyway, I took a quick look at it, and am planning on grabbing it out of the pile tomorrow. What struck me as odd was that the engine said GM (followed by a number) on the rear of the engine, right behind the intake manifold, but the distributor was on the front of the engine. Other than that, it looked mostly like a standard chevy small block. It did have what appeared to be a giant single-barrel carb. It looked like the block was a little wider than normal, but I think that was just because the carb was so narrow (in relation to what I've seen before).
Does anyone know of any GM motors with the distributor in the front?

Chris

Buick since the late sixties. V-6 V-8 350 400 455 etc.

MSD makes a front drive ditributor for Chevy SB PN8710 and BB PN8720.
....Belt drive off the cam..... . Not usually found in the dump tho. "Got Pics."?

Caddy 472-500 have front distributers too.

I don't have a digital camera, but I hope to somehow get some pics soon. It appears to be a '73 Buick 350 with an odd GM 2 barrel carb. (The cast numbers on the back of the block come up as a 350 most places I've looked, although 1 says that it's a 455, but they all say early 70's, and on the side of one of the heads it says 73. It also says 350 on the intake manifold).

I took a look at the oil that ran out of what was left of the filter when we picked it up, and it actually looked (and tasted) pretty good; no metal filings or anything.

So, the big question now is, what should I do with it? If the bottom end is fine, should I have it bored out and put in nice aftermarket parts anyway?

Anyone got any good ideas?

Chris

I wouldn't drink any more of the oil........Ya' don't kbow where it's been HE HE HE
jus' kiddin'

Have that thing magnafluxed before anything. you dont want to have a engine with 4000$ in it ony to find that you have a crack between the cylinders halfway through that you diddnt see.

Olds motors have the distributer at the back.....probably Buick.

Chris
If it doesn't run take it back where you found it.
I have a complete 73 Buick 350 engine that runs good and I haven't been able to sell it for $100. It would be cheaper to drive to Maine and buy my engine. From your post I get the feeling that you have no use for a Buick engine anyway. Buy a 350 Chevy if you want to build up an engine. That way you'll have something of value to show for all your hard work. It's easy to sell a rebuilt Chevy engine at a profit. There's not much demand for a rebuilt Buick.
I would love to get rid of my Buick 350. It's taking up valuable space in my garage. If $100 is too much I'll take the best offer.

I've got a friend who wants to put a buick motor into his Astro (which is no longer going to be a van, he's going to Camino it)
He's got a couple of other Buicks (and plans on tricking out the Astro with buick parts.)

Chris

Chris dont DRINK the oil man you smell it, run it over yer hands and through yer hair, you drink the Green water, it tastes beter

Otto

I was just given him a hard time bro trust me I have licked more than my share of Engine Dip Sticks, it also gets ya odd looks when ya do it to freak some one out

Otto

Originally posted by ljotto1
I was just given him a hard time bro trust me I have licked more than my share of Engine Dip Sticks, it also gets ya odd looks when ya do it to freak some one out

Otto

I'm not a fan of lickin' the dip stick. Maybe that's why my geezer joints squeak. HE HE HE

Me, i just prefer to run it across a paper towel to look for any color discrepencies, metallics, whathaveyou. Tasting the oil, thats a new one for me.

Originally posted by drg84
Me, i just prefer to run it across a paper towel to look for any color discrepencies, metallics, whathaveyou. Tasting the oil, thats a new one for me.

I tried that once but I freaked and started calling every one I new tring to fugure out what bearings would make brown oil have pink flowers in it

Pro, I started to squeak once then I ate paste, no I think it was oil, maybe carb Cleaner, Oh-well just start licking yer tools you get the right Chemical in yer body

Otto