LUVTruck.com

My brother is begging me to put a V8 and solid axles in my luv, hell I can hardly get the truck to run as it is... His arguments are getting stronger in my mind these days, so while I was doing mindless stuff at work today I ran if over in my head. This is my dream setup.

It's kinda off the wall but that me!

Buick 215 Allum. V8 Gotta find one!!!
2BBL Carb
Some kind of a Manual Tranny with 5 gears 6 would be fantastic.
(please suggest)
With a Xfer case 203 or 205? Something simple
I would like to run mid to low 3 gears
That would give more power and most likely better full millage than the stock 4 banger...

Suggestions and comments please!

Rigel

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81 LUV 4x4 Red Was a heavy hauler now is back to mostly stock config.

http://www.Rigeltech.com

Well, depending on your $$'s, I would get a 2wd truck, and just put a mild 350 in it. Swappin over a 4x4 intells a little more work, harder to find parts, and more$$. So, it's up to you, and all I can say is good luck, and have fun, and if you have any questions about your build, what ever it may be, here is the place for em!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I thought about that but The SAF factor keeps me from having that option, buying another POS (her words not mine) would be out of the question. The LUV is my first car had it for 11 years now it's close to the heart. My bro's got xfer cases and axels by the dozen the tranny and engine are the only parts I would have to buy. He also has several "mild V8s" running around but I really want a 215. It's weird but I am a Buick man at heart. He can do all the custom fab work. The real bitch will be matching a tranny to the 215....


Rigel

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81 LUV 4x4 Red Was a heavy hauler now is back to mostly stock config.

http://www.Rigeltech.com

Well it sounds like you got just about everything covered! Good luck, and take lots of pics!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1961-Buick-Oldsmobile-215-ci-V8-with-Transmission_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQitemZ8034281561QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

here's a Buick 215 currently on ebay...

I don't know how much you know about this series motor, but Olds also built the aluminum 215 (and with a turbo in the Jetfires) and later in it's life the same aluminum blocks were used in the V-8 MG's and in Land Rovers as the 3500. If you can score a later model 3500 you can get EFI for it. As far as mating it to a tranny/transfer case, you should be able to find a bellhousing adapter from BOP to Chevy no problem, then just run the standard Chevy gear.

Run the NP205 transfer case. The NP203 is chain driven (will stretch), and is all time 4 wheel drive. That means that you'll be replacing tcases more often, and you will wear out front tires and other stuff up front faster.

As far as transmission go, I don't really know of any that match up to buick. (not saying that they aren't out there, i just don't know of them). You might try an NV4500 out of a newer model chevy truck. If it doesn't match up, to the engine, you could just find a transmission that does match up, then get a divorced transfer case to put behind THAT transmission. (Dodge NP205s are divorced and still passenger drop).

If you have any questions...I have done ALOT of research and am slowly learning what's what in the 4x4 realm.

-Brandon

rigel

It's too bad I saw this after the local swap meet this past weekend!
This guy had 2 complete, and I mean, complete 215 aluminum V8's for sale, and think both were standard and never apart!

A friend of mine from way back had a 215 in his 72 Datsun P'up and man that thing actually ran rather impressively!

I think back then it was a matter of finding parts for them to keep them going, but maybee that has changed these days...

Good Luck!

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72 L.U.V.
427 SBC-700R4
SE 9-3/8 4P TracLoc, 6-lug rear discs,
custom rear leafs, custom made aluminum radiator,
Mustang II front suspension
LUV perf parts manufacturing
My Devotion to Karl :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmXc4F78 ... re=related

I'm getting ready to put my 80 4x4 cab and bed on a 1974 Jeep cherokee frame and my son's gonna take the luv 4x4 frame and put a car body on it.

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1980 shortbed Luv - 350 40 over, etc. - Like I told my momma, it ain't no fun growing up!