Yikes! Our Buick straight-8 teardown reveals a few surprises | Redline Update #29
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- čas přidán 2. 02. 2020
- Davin dives into the Buick straight-8 engine project. As with most of our rebuilds, the teardown process is always quite revealing. .040"-over pistons reveal that this engine has been apart before. Some other random squeaks, rattles, and cracks reveal a handful of issues that are going to need to be taken care of at the machine shop.
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These engines were known to run flat out WOT all day long, and purr like kitten afterwards. I LOVE your videos! Your videographer is doing a superb Job!
Back in the 70's here in N.E. Iowa Don Ellingson had a stock car that had one of these engines in it. Maybe a 40's coupe painted bright yellow - he was always in it for the win. It had eight exhaust pipes coming out of the hood with a Trumpet like shape , It was a sight to see and hear. That and a Detroit Diesel are the best sounding engines ever
Boy, this brings back memories. It was the late 1960's here in Australia and I had just completed my five year motor mechanic apprenticeship. My first job on my first day as a fully qualified mechanic was rings, bearings and valve grind on a big black Buick straight eight. I remember the head was enormous and weighed a ton, same for the crankshaft. The Buick itself was twice the size of the Morris and Austins and Wolseley's, etc, in the workshop which were typical cars of the era here in Ozz.
This reminds me SO MUCH of autoshop in high school, circa 1971.
Bought a 53 Ford fourdoor w/V8, for $50 from a couple seniors...they bought it, drove it in, popped the hood and said "FLAT HEAD?!? Who the hell wants to work on a FLATHEAD?!?" You'd think they would have checked first?
So I bought the car, found a boneyard not all that far away, and even got Offy heads and intake for a four-barrel, the two truck pumps etc.
Old guy running the yard, me sitting at his feet like a puppy in front of an old dog, him telling stories of them torching the fenders off 1930s cars, chaining the doors shut and racing.
Only got rid of my flathead valve compressor tool a couple years ago...just kinda thought I might need it, y'know?
My grandpop had a Buick straight 8, I remember he put a nickel on the valve cover with it running and the nickel didnt fall over. Perfectly balanced.
I had 1948 Roadmaster Convertible with a dynaflow. Gun metal gray with big high back red leather lounge chair front seats(my most comfortable ride to date), wrap a round booth in the rear with jump seats in the middle. Wide white walls on 8.50x16 what a cruiser!!!!
my hat is off the whole crew that makes these builds, and the footage. You never disappoint! This is by far my favorite to date. the inline 8s were fantastic. packards were impressive, but the buick OHV is where its at. Very much looking forward to the next installment of straight 8 awesomeness! Thanks again!
These guys rock.
Awesome!! I got 2 straight 8 blocks in my shop. I got 1 prepped, valves lapped, and honed. just waiting for parts, hoping to have it slapped in a 52 this spring.
The heads are heavy enough to tour with slayer. Haha
My first car was a 1952 Buick Super Convertible with a 2 speed automatic transmission, and a straight 8 motor. I was 15 years old. Drove it all over the neighbor's farm. No plates, no insurance, no muffler. Fun car for a 15 year old dude. The top worked, but did leak some.
I never thought I'd be jealous to see a Buick straight 8 intake manifold that didn't have cracks going through the casting of the chamber under the carburetor! Great engine! I just revived a 53 Buick special on my channel Midnight Auto repair and it had that engine!
My dad had a 51 coupe(2 dr. Hardtop). It was a driver, had the dynaflow trans. We drove it on one trip that gave an 18 mpg, with 5 people and our luggage, ina 300 mile trip. I learned to drive that bomb on the highway. Got traded before I got to try out them courting seats. Dang. Just one heck of a car.
I was at a car show last summer and an old gentleman had a bare rolling chassis with an inline 8 Buick. He was starting it to let people hear how smooth it was. At some point in the day, someone put it in gear and the gentleman; unaware, started it for someone and it took off across the lawn and caved in the door of a new Dodge Hellcat. It was an exciting day to be at the car show. The Buick was unscathed by the altercation.
Remember to show us the keyway inspection on assembly. That is a good teaching moment for those who don't anything about keys and key ways and the damage they can get.
Are you speaking of the woodruff key....
Seems to be a misunderstanding here about the purpose of the key in the shaft. The key and slot must not carry the torque load between the shaft and the damper, or any other device that is carried by the shaft. The key and slot are there to accurately locate the part radially, and to prevent rotation between parts ONLY if the union between parts fails or slips. The actual torque is carried by either a precision tapered-shaft fit, or by bolted or clamped surfaces between parts. If the load carrying fit slips, the key will stop rotation, but it will be loaded on alternate sides as torque reverses during rotation. This will lead to wear of the key and slot and eventual failure of the key or shaft. Fixing the key and slot will be wasted effort until the tapered or bolted connection is repaired to full functionality.
I hope this old beast can be restored to proper running condition, if only because I am old enough to remember the unique sound of the straight-eight/Dynaflow coming and going. In a quiet neighborhood, you could easily identify them by sound a block away. Actually, we kids of the time could identify almost all makes of cars this way, back when each make of automobile had a unique character.
@@Hopeless_and_Forlorn At last someone who correctly knows the purpose of the key in the shaft. The key was never designed to carry torque loads, merely to accurately locate the parts radially as stated.
Hey, guys, don’t stop the argument, I’m learning tons!
@@imd1b4u Actually, I have known a bolt from a screw since 1958, when I began to regularly remove the head from my Cushman 3-horse scooter to decarbonise it, 1959, when I replaced a cracked head on my 1929 Model A, 1961, when I began wrenching on airplanes for pay rather than fun, 1965, when I earned my A&P license and went to work for the airlines, and 1980, when I earned my FCC First Class Radiotelephone Operator's license with Radar Endorsement. In the years after that, my learning increased at an exponential rate because it was my turn to become an instructor and teach old skills to new people, which I did until 2009. Are you ready to take over? I wonder.
The Straight 8 is so Long, the cameraman had to take Two Steps Back just to get it in Frame 👍😀🎥📹📷
Agree 👍 💯
Not as long as a Packard Straight 8. Those are massive. Check out Cold War motors Winter Beater Showdown on that subject.
You should see how far away cameramen need to be when photographing a Dusenberg straight 8. Jay Leno has some on his channel because they are some of his favorite cars of all time.
That's what she said. 😀
@@SchnelleKat S
This guy reminds me of my father, i miss my father
A lot like my grandfather was
Rip bud
@@straitlinesender2837 RIP
The engine geek in me wants to see the bottom of that cylinder head. It's fascinating seeing those pistons with their tops well above the block deck.
Being a Buick nut and also a member of our local Buick club (Bonneville Buick Club), this stuff totally enthralled me. You've got quite the car that engine came out of. I'm really hopeful to see it all restored, with that engine back in it. That's a real treasure you have, and only a few people can really appreciate it. Congrats on your acquisition of it and best of wishes in bringing it all back to life! I'll be anxiously following your videos. Meanwhile, I'm curious to know what your plans are for your nailhead 401. I'd like to see it go into a very deserving car.
love watching old machines get torn down that were engineered and built before we had computers, it is amazing what they were able to come up with on pencil and paper.
"They" were better than us.
@@GroovesAndLands Computers are not necessary for engineering and design, they are used so that the-powers-that-be can fire all their employees. Maximum possible profits by any means necessary.
I’ve always wanted to hotrod one of these engines. Put some performance pistons and rods, cam and make a customer header and intake. Buick made a 320 c.i. L8 version of this engine. They had a reputation around here that once the engine wore out the buick it would wear out the sawmill that it had been installed in.
My dad had an 39 oldsmobile with a straight 8. I learned to drive a manual three speed in this car.
Our 39 Buick has a synchromesh 3 speed. Was really surprised no need to double clutch when we got it!
Help a friend in high school overhaul a straight eight, babbitt rods, shims, etc. It was a simple motor using common tools, took a long time working evenings after school.
First car I ever drove was dad's '52 Buick Super. I did all the maintenance and tune ups on it. At age 13. Friends '54 Chevy couldn't keep up from a roll on.
My first car was a '51 Pontiac with a straight eight. It was so smooth that you could not feel it idle. That was back in 1968.
That was really cool. I have never seen inside a straight 8 before.
Never seen a straight 8 before. America had some beautiful machinery... WOW
The couple or 3 I've heard running in my lifetime , they sound almost like every normal mild v8 out there, it's kinda interesting
@@MrTheHillfolk i cant wait to hear this engine when they finish the Buick... Thought it was the other one that just finished. Come on Buick...
My grandfather use to hot rod these types of engines back in his day after the War Buick was one of his favorite along with his 33 Ford 21 bolt head .
If the Coldwarmotors channel can get some rusted straight 8's running with not much more than beer cans and Canadian snow, I can't wait to see what Hagerty can do.
Man it would be so cool to build a straight eight and have something to put it in. When I was a kid they were fairly easy to find, hell, it was in the early fifties. Lots of cars were running around with them brand new. Sure would be cool though.
I creek too at 68. And even have 3 neck disc fusions . Im wanting to see her run . Good show.
You guys are easily my new favorite on CZcams!
Really enjoy your videos and the time lapse ones in the final builds are amazing!! I have always messed around with cars throughout my life and watching your videos I always learn something new!! Thanks for that and cannot wait to see this straight 8 all back together!!
I'm thrilled. Straight eight Buick engine dismantled via hard work and expertise. Kill the rock noise...please!
Your videos are great Davin! Makes it very easy to comprehend what you're doing. Very educational and entertaining. My favorites are your in-depth engine rebuilds. I could watch the machine shop level the deck and hone the cylinders of an engine block for hours!
Look at all that stipple green finish. It looks like its made of mitutoyo micrometers. Beautiful engine
I'm definitely looking forward to see what the final analysis is on all of the things that you have found.
You have to be the best on CZcams. Video's are out of sight. 🚀
Good video David by the way I always thought freeze plugs or in Australia we call them core plugs......
I thought they were there not to do with preventing the block cracking in the event of freezing weather and coolant failing but it was necessary in order to get the casting sand out of the block after it’s been poured and also necessary to hold the internal sand moulds in place to allow the formation of the water galleries
absolutly correct. They were never intended to protect the block from freezing. Purely incidental that the plug would ever move from freezing. I have seen several blocks cracked from freezing and the plugs never moved.
Yup. As for them functioning as freeze plugs, they can if the tempurature falls slowly, but if it falls fast, the block might crack anyway. Using anti-freeze is the best protection.
Great channel. Love all of the videos you all put up. I’m new to this channel and I’m loving it. Hats off to the whole team behind this.
I have watched this 4 times (so far). I am just so impressed with his skill and knowledge. Thanks,
So cool 😍 can't wait to see the entire redline rebuild , love you Hagerty you're the best ❤ especially Davin & Tom
the awaited finally aired greetings from Indonesia
glad to hear someone still use " foot LBs ... hate that pound feet phrase ..
These are so cool to watch.. Thank you for sharing this, great content 😁
Not that I'm splitting hairs, but those plugs in the side of the block that were corroded are core casting plugs, not freeze plugs. As I was taught, they are used for getting the sand out of the as-cast block. I know that they're commonly called freeze plugs, but that's a wives tale. If you see a block with these plugs pushed out from the force of water freezing in the block, there's a VERY high probability that the block is junk from cracking/splitting in about a zillion other spots. Nice video, and again I'm not trying to nitpick, just maybe teach something to people that aren't aware.
Woodruf key repair on harmonic balancer: get the next size larger woodruff key, put the key in a machinist vise & mill the sides down to fit the slot in the crankshaft then broach the harmonic balancer to fit the larger key. The larger key will have to be hand shaped to fit the curve of the smaller key slot in the crank.
I love how you can see the sheer joy in the work on his face.
You're such a stud Davin , I could watch you curl 100lbs crank shafts all day long ! 😘😍 oh yeah I love the chuggy metal guitar riffs for background music, keep that up 🤘
My dad had a 1949 Buick Road master with a straight 8 he bought used in 1951 and had it until 1955 when he traded it in on a new Ford. That was his only Ford he went back to GM in 59 and he worked at Ford Motor for 25 years.
Keep these updates coming ! Love that long 8 cyl
That one piston looked really hammered given the condition of the rest of the engine as it was torn down. Will be amazing to see the finished product when its started for the first time. Great video ! !
You should do a multi part series on how to completely breakdown and rebuild a motor. THAT would be awesome. Definitely would subscribe for those notifications. And not to mention the views it would bring in
I always learn something from these videos. Press on!
I like the way you work in the engines not to much power tools ..everything by man torque .I use to work in old Mack diesels and the exhaust manifold also splits for vibration well my boss like to weld them together but it was a short period repair it's cracks again righ next to the weld like 1/8 of inch .your idea use a split manifold is the best has some flex on it ..you are a great mechanic .thank you for an amazing ,teaching and show
On the edge of my seat on this one son has a 52, can't wait till the next video....thanks!
Keep up the good work! Keep that classic old iron alive!
Expansion plugs are not to protect against freezing. They plug the hole where sand was removed from the sand casting process
Then why are you calling them expansion plugs?
@@ShainAndrews the proper term would be core plugs not expansion plugs not freeze plugs
@@ShainAndrews Core plug - Wikipedia
Core plugs, also called freeze plugs or Welch plugs, are used to fill the sand ... The slang term "freeze plug" is derived from the many years ago in situations where the water in an
@@brettlyde6338 Nice job keyboard warrior. So why are you calling them expansion plugs?
If you have ever seen them protruding 1 inch from the block stuck to ice. They're called freeze plugs.
I was told by an old mechanic years ago that back in the 1930'a the Buick straight eights were in demand as engines for sawmills because of their torque.
I have heard that too.
This is so cool! Thanks for posting 👍
I went to a 2 year College to learn what this man is teaching on CZcams. Lol.. great stuff.
I've been waiting for this video after seeing all the teasers!
A few years ago I done a another straight 8 Buick . The customer put a 700R4 Transmission behind it . We also put a pair of split manifolds on it but had to cut the outlets off them and turn the 90 degrees and weld them back together . Been a while but it seems like it because of the motor mounts ,
How did you adapt the 700R4 to the Torque Tube?
Rebuild one of these back in the day. The cranks were so long that they were "whippy" and had some nasty harmonics if stressed. Best to just let it eat at low rpms. I'm an old guy and those exhausts always cracked in that fashion. Saw a few of them brazed..... Looking at those bores, you'll be standing in shavings up to your knees to clean them up.
I don't know why, but i absolutely love that you don't use power tools
Oh dear God in heaven, how I would love to run across a straight eight Buick from 1950, with a standard transmission.
The music really grabbed me on this one. Production values are first rate as always.
Excellent! Was looking forward to the straight 8 rebuild. All 120 + or - horses! Ha!!
The Big Block version made between 141 to 170 horsepower.
Davin has some serious guns!
Thank you for this video....AWESOME!
Really my friend, you know that, you're doing well. Thanks for information.
That creak is your elbow, mine does the same thing, it's caused by age and repetitive motion...
My jaw does that
What did he pull out of the piston at 13:27?
@@BuzzLOLOL that was the rod bolt that fell out.
Lets talk about 13:44 guys🤣🤣🤣
I always tell people you never know till you open it up.
Good video.
A Welch plug is not intended to pop out when the coolant freezes, it is incidental. The plugs are there so that the sand cores can be removed in manufacture.
So interesting, looking forward n cheers guys
My Daddy had a straight eight Buick back years ago that out ran the fastest new Chevrolet Police car in our hometown without even breaking a sweat.
I was taking a sip of coffee when D gave us all the "See, I told yah..." eye RE: the exhaust manifold, while taking a sip of coffee....
This is some great insight for me into one of my favorite mills. Bummer some hack got in there first. Hope I have better luck
I'm looking forward for the timelapse!! Awesome video also! 🤗🤗😃
I really enjoy your rebuilds
Good stuff. These always make me want to be an auto mechanic. As a welder, the one thing I hate about the welding industry is all the cheating. You cant cheat working on an engine. Its gotta be right.
I suppose that is true if you are working in the engine rebuilding department. I don't know how many times as an ordinary mechanic, I was forced to hack things together, and align cars that would never proper;y align. Whenever someone got angry, I'd point a wrench at those cars and ask "What do you want me to do, point a magic wand at it and cast a repair spell?"
@@skylinefever Yeah, true.
No mention of fact this had a hydraulic OHV arrangement, which was SUPER high tech when this engine was developed!
Core plugs are there to permit casting of the block, ie that is how the sand core is held in place. They are not designed to provide a relief for water freezing in the block, and 99 times out of 100 the freezing water will split the side of the block.
I owned a 1950 Pontiac with an inline 8 cylinder back in 1968.
That's one clean engine. They definitely changed the oil. That's proof that changing your oil regularly makes all the difference.
Shame that so many, then and now, refuse to do so.
If you haven't watched Coldwarmotors straight eight showdown you dont know what you're missing.
I am new to this channel, but Scott is always mentioning it, so I thought I would check it out.
Professional bush refurb.
Best auto channel on CZcams.
Old School stuff is always fun.
Good stuff!!
Since i'm 70 yo, 50 years+ as a mechanic I love the nostalgia of these old "Fire Ball" engines but in reality these engines ran smooth as silk but were low on power, hard on fuel, and if you got 70 000 miles out of one before needing a rebuild you were doing real good. People tended to over advance the ignition timing in search of more power and in turn melted pistons. Lead in the fuel and oil burning those days would build up so much carbon on the pistons they would touch the cylinder head and rattle like hell.
Since i worked on lots of old Buicks with that engine I would rate that engine about #4 on the "turd engine" of it's time list.
Carbon build up killed 1 of my grandpas blocks I'm almost sure.
The oil pickup screen was totally caked in carbon, piston crowns were the worst I've ever seen, all cylinders had deep scarring and theres obvious signs of starvation everywhere.
Old man said it ran when he pulled it, it just smoked alot.
@@dosbox907 Yeah, i have seen a few like that.
I sometimes wonder how much longer vintage engines would last if they all had modern oil and oil filters. I suppose there are examples out there, the best comparison might be the last of the rear engine beetles sold in Mexico.
@@skylinefever I was thinking about that the other week. judging from tolerances and material used to build the engine, id say they wouldnt be as far off from todays cars if they were more efficient back then. (not to mention maintained)
we know for a fact better oils extend lifespan, detergent additives, zinc, etcetc.
A huge issue was tuning.
carbs, leaded fuel, heat management, and ignition systems all "sucked" back then.
coupled with the higher compression ratios all added up to a really dirty burn and therefore dirty ass engine and no easy way to clean it up.
i bet if you rebuilt an old straight 8, slapped efi, msd ignition, good oil, and kept with maint, it would be a 200k engine.
unless the block was cast on a monday or something
@@dosbox907 Yes I recall my Dad's 1967 TBird engine was clogged with gunk and the rocker arms had huge amounts of sludge on them. It only had 85,000 miles on it! Modern fuel injection, ignitions and better fuels and all make this less of a problem!
I am Vietnamese and I like your videos very much professional
I would look for an outside cause of the piston with the pits on the head. Could be a vacuum leak to that cylinder causing it to run too lean and detonate (which the damage resembles). Likewise for the other cylinder. Another possibility is coolant entering the cylinder due to head/block warpage or gasket problems. Timing chain looks about what you'd normally find in a worn engine. You'd be surprised how loose a new chain & sprocket set looks for slack after a relative few miles (500 or so). The keyway looks ok without physically seeing it first hand. I'm pretty sure when it's tightened up with the bottom timing sprocket in place there will be no movement of the harmonic damper & key assembly anyway. Core plugs (aka freeze/frost plugs) are probably just rusted through. Contrary to popular belief core plugs are not that likely to keep a block from cracking if frozen and the cracks might wind up in an area you can't fix & sometimes can't get into to check for them. Keep your fingers crossed. Hope this helps. Looks to be a very interesting project - keep up the good work!
Magnaflux before repair, my 2 cents
Awesome video ty
One of my favourite motors!!
Awesome outstanding job have a great time thanks
Make sure you eat your wheaties when you pull out a straight eight crankshaft
13:44 stroking him good
Love the beat!!!
good video ...smart mechanic
Surprised to see how similar in layout this is, to our Hemi Six here Down Under.
Would love to see Hagerty do a HyperPak Slant Six one day 😉
I'm jealous we never got the hemi i6 here in the states. Man that's a badass engine, and can actually make decent power for what it is. I was considering importing one for a Jeep project a while back lol.
@@TheAmericanUhate I know of a couple of cars, including one on our VH Chargers, that went the other way, fitting Jeep 4.0 motors to have modern ECU's and injection. The hemi6 was a good engine for the '70's, and you can build them to 400hp easy enough, but if you've got a light truck or muscle car project now, try find a Ford Barra6 now 🤗
@@PiDsPagePrototypes yeah the Ford barra is another badass aussie engine we never got here. I ended up building a 4.7 stroker out of my jeep's 4.0 but aftermarket support is limiting. There's only 1 aftermarket head still available, there's no intake manifold other than the stock 99+ horseshoe for EFI. Clifford and offenhouser makes carb intake manifolds is about it. I seen some of those hemi i6's making some good power when I was researching them. You can still get 500-600 out of the Jeep i6 but it takes boost and more cash than swapping a v8 in lol
@@TheAmericanUhate I run the Clifford repro HyperPak with 4bbl in my VC Valiant, they make some good stuff. Surprised there's no custom EFI manifolds available for the 4.0
@@PiDsPagePrototypes I've been contemplating to get a Clifford and see if I can have it machined to accommodate the mpfi/efi that I've got. Waiting on an edlebrock aluminum head for it now but they're back ordered until the end of march. Still need that ported and machined for larger valves when it gets here.
Mighty clean looking pistons for something that old.
First time seeing a straight eight disassembled, it's somewhat of a crude looking engine like it came out of a tractor or industrial vehicle. That crank must weigh a ton.
There is something magical about straight 8 ❤️
Amazing skills you rock