I have a chance to get an 81 olds 231 motor for free.( casting # 25506397) I was told it is built by buick. If so ,Can the block itself be used for a 87 GN if I use a turbo crank,heads, etc.I know it does not have the oil line for the turbo. how hard is it to (drill?) the oil line. anything else I would need to do? I want to build a 11-10 second motor and if something goes wrong I would not want to trash my original block, I may someday choose to go back to original.Thanks,Tyson
I have been looking around a lot on this sight and found the casting #. It is listed under buick v6 production blocks under tech info,photo guides , It is listed as 197x carbed engine. So being this is a buick engine how hard would it be to convert it to turbo? Would I run into trouble with oiling, or would I have to have the deck shaved? as that same part of this sight states 86/ 87 engine decks were changed?Thanks
Well, yes you could use this block as a replacement but the big question is why? This block is an early weak casting not made for the power levels of an I/C motor. If you are set in keeping the original block it might be better to find a #109 casting. I do a lot of things for the Corvette guys because they are into this numbers matching game and in my opinion until there is enough interest in matching numbers TR's I would use the original block and keep the mods to a minimum. I've had my GN for 15 years and used to think the same way. Well I screwed up my original block and you know the funny thing is with all the mods I've made over the years I've kept all the original parts and even ordered new ones I've never taken out of the boxes and I dont think my car is worth any more or less because of its originality. The one thing them Vette guys say is the minute you drive it off the showroom it aint original anymore. Besides when was the last time you saw an add for stock GN that said numbers matching? Anyway if you want to go 10's with out breaking your block have a new short block built using a #109 casting and turbo crank/rods/pistons. Its the most economical way to go.
The strength was one of my concerns. If it is to much of a headach and is not worth the effort for this block then I will pass on it. I just figured if it was capable of being built to a turbo I/C motor and its free,then I would use the money I would save on a 109 block and use it somewhere else. As far as numbers matching car, I realize at this time it may not matter.No one seemed to put much thought into the 60,s super sports etc at that time either. I plan on keeping this car for a long time, so why not just keep the motor? just incase? who knows if it will matter 15 years from now or not.Thanks a lot for the input.