Buick Straight 8 long block assembly | Redline Update #64

More progress on the Buick straight 8 engine assembly! In this episode, Davin gets the head on the block and gets the rocker assembly put together and installed.
Thanks to our sponsor RockAuto.com. RockAuto.com is an auto parts retailer founded in 1999 by automotive engineers with two goals: Liberate information hidden behind the auto parts store counter (by listing all available parts, not just what one store stocks or one counter-person knows), and make auto parts affordable so vehicles of all ages can be kept reliable and fun to drive. Visit www.rockauto.com/?a=HG-21Q3-ASRR to order auto parts online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and have them conveniently delivered to your door. Need help finding parts or placing an order? Visit our Help pages for further assistance!
Subscribe to our KZbin channel for new videos every day! bit.ly/HagertyKZbin
Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: www.hagerty.com/media
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: www.hagerty.com/media/newslet...
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | / hagerty
Instagram | / hagerty
Twitter | / hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: www.hagerty.com/drivers-club
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuild | Engine Time-lapse videos from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Chip Foose Draws a Car | Reimagining popular cars with new designs bit.ly/HagertyChipFoose
Contact us:
Suggest and feedback - [e-mail]
Press inquiries - [e-mail]
Partnership requests - [e-mail]

[@stanherman5604]

Please put this engine on the dyno. I want to see what kind of torque and Horsepower this beast will generate!

[@pitbull761]

Apoyo la moción!! 💪💪

[@903strikerunit]

Horsepower: not much. Tourqe: more than a mack or a CAT can make stock

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@903strikerunit It's probably well less than 300 lb-ft, it's not like these were huge displacement engines.

[@kainhall]

@@PistonAvatarGuy right.... but straight 6 motors (gas or diesel) are known for making torque a straight 8 is gonna REALLY put down some torque

[@kainhall]

@@903strikerunit yup..... HP.... na torque = all of it

[@woodsmn8047]

Nostalgia trip for me.. My first car when I was 16 was a 49 Buick special...standard trans...I got it from my uncle in 1961 for the grand sum of 8 dollars cause he thought the engine was toast due to horrendous engine noise...turned out there was no oil to the rockers and hydraulic lifters...a plugged oil passage was the culprit...easily fixed with an oil bypass kit and an afternoon of digging into it...I learned a lot and loved my Buick all the more for it...thanks for the memories

[@tsukki_amv2848]

I just watched a car restoration show on Netflix and the three away their 53 buick straight 8 for a small block. I love seeing the old engines redone and adding a new modern conveniences like power steering on them. Much better than just all new.

[@SpatialDragon]

I hate to admit it, but I "re-built" several engines with a dingle ball hone using diesel and new rings, bearings, gaskets. I re-used a lot of head bolts, rod bolts and main bolts... I never had any problems with heads leaking or anything, but it was really hard to buy new bolts for engines back then. You had to go to the hardware store and match up the bolts and nuts the best you could. I used anti-seize, thread lock and some teflon tape. I did blow some of those engines, but that was usually due to over-revving, no rpm limiters... Had a lot of fun. But do it the right way... Not the way I did it.

[@scottyknot7403]

Id live in my truck for a year outside the shop just to apprentice with a master like Davin. Ive been in the industry for awhile and the teamwork makes the dream work or no one works. Keep up the great work. Its a great day when the straight 8 is one step closer to being back in its home.

[@padillaxA]

Is there an "oh sizzle Stix" shirt? I want one!

[@JamesWilliams-eg1gm]

Lol there's an old episode of Different Strokes about schizzle sticks. I wonder if that's where he got it

[@alteregos8949]

Straight 8’s are anything but short that’s for sure. That motor was a strange but simple design. It also lends reason as to why the cars of that era had such long front ends and the hoods were giant scoops that weighed a ton. Great video yet again! Sure wish they were more frequent!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

What I find interesting about them is they sound about the same as a V8 engine.

[@masscomnet]

This engine would have been great if it had been set up like the BMW M30. Slant 8, SOHC, and electronic ignition and injection!

[@SofiaSclafani]

@@masscomnet BMW M30 is a straight 6

[@masscomnet]

@@SofiaSclafani no way! Lol

[@tarstarkusz]

"The straight eight challenge" series on Cold War Motors was a 100 times better than this show. None of this 20k dollar rebuild nonsense. Just two junkers with straight eight engines and a group of friends in the race to get them running so they can be moved around the yard and not pushed. Two cars, two teams, zero budget. The first car to make it to the end of the driveway and back again wins! /watch?v=vOBBU6h8BFU&list=PL3naAFlKUN6dm9YFkzphRMGVC4gd7E30A

[@blakethompson8022]

applying the sealant to all fasteners also helps ensure torque values are all equal, as applied. love the attention to detail and consistency in all of these builds.

[@peaceabsolute3103]

I am so excited for this engine to be rebuilt and running and to hear it I only hope that we continue to hear it all the time throughout the show

[@mazevx2451]

The amount of detail that gets into this engine builds is absolutely amazing! This engines must be 10 times better than stock engines.

[@deanfarr3249]

I wish he would've done a process on rebuilding the original dynaflow transmission too. They updated to a modern automatic transmission i would rather go back to the original hydramatic dynaflow.

[@JDevine687]

That's some mechanical art with all those rocker arms!

[@Tuilaione]

🤯🤯🤯... Everytime i watch these refixes, im just amazed how far the engines have come. Thank you

[@garthhowe297]

I really love this series... and please keep the mistakes in, we all learn a bit along with you. Boy... that head must be heavy!

[@roamin_ronin]

I justsat down here at my computer after a 12 hour day at... another computer and your last line "Get out in the shop" made me drag my tired ass out there and turn some bolts. Thanks, for the perspective, Davin.

[@mexicanhalloween]

Great cinematography for this video, kudos to whoever is behind the camera

[@Mark-vc7rm]

This thing has come a long way. Can’t wait to hear it run.

[@thomasfletcher4765]

Can't wait to hear this engine come to life !

[@rdyer8764]

Ya know Davin, you just seem like a cool guy who it would be fun to just hang with and talk about life...

[@Hoaxer51]

And motors and cars and ...!

[@deanfarr3249]

He's too busy to hang out

[@humbleheart7196]

I am fortunate to own a 1932 original Buick Straight 8. They run like a Swiss watch when properly operating.

[@jontallman3878]

I am not a Buick guy, but I approve of this video!!!

[@fuglyasfmofo]

Wish I had a dad like him 🙂

[@monsterq6]

I love watching videos like this maybe one day I can put together my own engine by myself

[@patrickcannell2258]

I have following this straight eight from the beginning. I love this set up. Nice long engine. Rolls Royce had a petrol straight eight too. The B80 and B81. Mainly used in British Dennis and ERF fire engines.

[@MoparDan]

Davin, I love your timing indicator modernization. Recently I had to use my "noodle" to come up with a bracket arrangement to hold a replaceable furnace filter on my new furnace that was lacking. I even painted the aluminum angle bracket like you did with your invention.

[@MRGF78]

🤣🤣🤣 a 3 hour tour... That's a good lunch break right there... very good gig...

[@chipedgar2845]

Your video quality is top notch. So show me! Let's see the head gasket. Solid copper? Composite? The tapered head-bolt washers. Great description, Dave. Let's see it. Rocker arms. Good catch. Again--let's see it. Amazing build. Look forward to hearing it.

[@datgamerboy123]

I love that he says "get out in the shop!" It's great cuz I'm working in the shop damn near all day, every day 😂

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I got vacation this week , and I'm headed to my shop shortly after I watch this. I'll put in a good 4-5hr session , come home for dinner and get back there in the early evening for another 4-5hr session. Yup, I wrench for work and wrench in my spare time to relax the nerves.

[@datgamerboy123]

Man I just wrench for work lol

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@datgamerboy123 Haha I've been getting a buttload of stuff done on the project. I used to own a house in another state, and so my vacations would get burned up going and taking care of that for upkeep. Being home for vacation is relaxing , and getting ahead on a project is even better.

[@datgamerboy123]

@@MrTheHillfolk couldn't agree more 😂 gotta love a good project.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@datgamerboy123 That's for sure! Haha the wife tells me if I seem grumpy: go to the shop for your therapy 🤣

[@OzarksWildman]

It’s definitely a long block, really long!

[@deanfarr3249]

Thats what she said

[@davekostka7151]

My Dad drove across Texas as a young Buick dealer salesman in the straight 8's. He said it would run all day as fast as you could go. He said that he would buy a six-pack of beer in a city and there would be piles of cans on the side of the road where the beer was finished. Haaaa. The old days.

[@koolkar55]

I wish there was channel for just David's work. Hagerty has so much different stuff & I only like a couple.

[@philtucker1224]

Hay Davin, nice to see you’re using a pretty hefty engine stand for this job, ( I wouldn’t want that block on my toes for sure!) - stay safe and well buddy! 👍🇬🇧

[@Veryfastslowcar66]

such a beautiful engine... amazing job so far guys cant wait to see the finished product!

[@iknklst]

I would love to see and hear twin 4-cylinder "Bundle Of Snakes" type headers ending in megaphones, sweeping along the exhaust side of that motor It would make beautiful automotive music the likes of which has not been heard for decades.

[@BrisketChef]

Best way to start my Monday!

[@Mister006]

To even be starting out at this point has to be a great feeling! Great Job done, Great Job to come!

[@HEAVYMETALJSTYLES]

Been so long on this I forgot why the hold up was, anyway I really dig this build. Nice work 👏

[@matiasdamian8106]

You´re awesome Davin, keep going on this project!

[@jerrymarcum9981]

I remember in 1970 a friend of mines dad took the head off a 51 Buick straight 8 and repaired something and put it back together. It seemed so complex. The car started right up though. To me the engine looked enormous but was no bigger that a Ford or Chevy V8 I realize now. My dad had a 51 Buick Special too. Super reliable. Great video. Thanks.

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Great to see the progress on this engine.

[@ronlynch7744]

Great update on the Buick 8. What a motor!

[@guilhermebrugge4007]

Amazing! This is a beautiful engine..

[@isalmankhan1]

Awesome series, learned a lot from Davin, Thanks for sharing👍

[@paulmcgrath552]

As a guy who cooks, I think of the incremental application of torque to gaskets is like rolling out dough. You get better results when you make a few passes to go from, say, 3/4" thick to 1/4" thick.

[@kurtpoblenz2741]

Such an interesting & unique build 👍🏻

[@craigmajoros2607]

So much fun .. thanks for a great start to the week.

[@davidmacfadyen165]

Very nice, can not wait to see this on the road

[@davedarling4316]

With the lighting and such, that assembly lube sometimes looks like copper RTV. Made me wince every time I saw it on the lifter bores, valve tips, and so on!

[@davea211]

The editing and shots on this are so well done! A great series :)

[@Encom0]

Awesome series. It's a great looking motor, like an over grown Triumph 6.

[@ron5118]

Engine is looking great!!

[@marlboro624]

Can't wait to see and hear it work!

[@shanksymiester3195]

Awesome show really enjoy it no BS never miss an episode

[@azaelmoyano1298]

The best KZbin channel ! Nice video and nice motor I can’t wait To hear it

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Can't wait....Looking for it....Thanks

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

Nice-Looking Engine Unfortunatelly never got to see One in My Country there all gone

[@austinrochette5861]

What country would that be?

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

@@austinrochette5861 Puerto Rico People here doesn't valorize old Cars they Just get rid of them

[@austinrochette5861]

@@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx that's a bummer.

[@howardnielsen6220]

Hello from La Pine Oregon. Thank You

[@geosutube]

When I consider the thousands of the straight-eight heads that were produced, and the hundreds of assemblers that did the job, I wonder where the original expertise went after the workers died. Were there training manuals or films showing how to assemble these long block engines?

[@samk07500]

Hi, U are the Best Master.....this L8 engin Assemby was Artistic.....thanks for sharing....next step....

[@jenningsdsmithii4727]

Groovy my brother. Your almost there..

[@masscomnet]

I'm a BMW guy . . . and this has been a really excellent build to watch!

[@Enjoymentboy]

Engine assembly is one of the few times one could legitimately refer to a straight 8 as s short block. lol

[@dalelallred]

Yeah! It's the Davin update day!!!

[@zapwatt]

This makes my day.

[@sonyhk3824]

Looking forward Davin, want to see n hear that monster. Cheers

[@SUPERPOWERPHIL]

I can't wait to hear this thing on the dyno! I'd love to see you work on a Caddy V16 then dyno it!

[@sethdunlap7009]

You might be the first man who ever decided to conquer this archaic and bizarre motor... 80+ years later, someone finally chose to champion this boat anchor ❤🤣

[@Hoaxer51]

That’s a nice timing pointer you fabricated! How about a small notch in that pulley for top dead center and a couple other ones for your advance timing with marks indicating TDC and the degrees advanced? Getting closer and closer with this one, can’t wait to hear it run!

[@vettekid3326]

At the factory anymore when an engine, transmission or any large assembly is put together with multiple fasteners that get torqued at once like head bolts they use computer controlled machines that run them all down at once and then use a multi stage torque sequence and even give the read out for each individual fastener but they still use a human to do torque audits with a mechanical wrench to make sure the machine is working correctly because sometimes a sensor goes bad.

[@paddle_shift]

That is one long sentence! 😄

[@stanley4290]

I dying to hear it run, i have no idea what to expect!

[@Fishie36]

Less "relative to" and more "oh sizzle Stix" please. Love your content Davin, you are the reason I'm subscribed to Hagerty.

[@fullsendsornosends1176]

The video aint even start and i hit like bcuz your content is amazing

[@masscomnet]

I do need to get out in my shop. I do have projects!

[@moparedtn]

Sheesh, Davin - starting to make a career outta that one aren't ya? :-) A Buick straight 8 makes about any V8 seem overly simplistic by comparison. It reinforces why so many hot rodders do the later-model engine swaps on these old cars... But it IS entertaining to watch someone else rebuild one nonetheless. :-) (Yes, I just basically wrote "better you than me, brother") HAGERTY - thank you for continuing to support this show!! Y'all be safe up there, -Ed on the Ridge

[@Hagerty]

Appreciate the support! This engine is certainly no small-block Chevy when it comes to rebuilding!

[@randomfaz3867]

1 min into it and geez its a pretty motor

[@davebarron5939]

Look'en good, and hey,.....Nice pointer.

[@averagecarguy420]

Yesss!! Another lunch break vid!

[@brandonr6601]

Awesome!

[@310_Latchkey_kid]

"Oh, chisel sticks" 🤣

[@ivan7465]

greetings from Labuan Bajo

[@thundermite1241]

God this type of engine would be cool supercharged

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

Or Turbocharged Definitely

[@Joshualbm]

Another good reason to use the teflon paste is as a lube for the threads, so it can torque all the more evenly.

[@marioturkalj3126]

Soon we will hear and see that engine working.😎🔩🔧👍

[@Odthean]

"So... That's what we're headed today... Let's see what we're roll"

[@lot27a]

I love this project! Can't wait to hear this beast. Straight up gear-head porn....

[@N-Scale]

Nice work Davin and I know it is a PIA on this thing !!

[@alexyo3927]

With a block that long it's "a long block" with noting on it haha

[@stex1985]

Yeah, put it on a Dyno,so we all can have a big ha ha for that day!🤔 I am ready for it to be back in the rag top and driving around already! 😀 .

[@MrTheHillfolk]

That heads so big I bet the first bolts torqued loosened up at the completion of the first stage. So I go back and run the first stage again over and over until nothing moves and then proceed with the next stage and repeat. Good deal with the Teflon on all the bolts too, that way all the bolts have the same "lube" for consistent torque.

[@pappabob29]

Curious if that head gasket required any sealer ?? Also, you said "take all the pushrods to zero lash". Are the lifters going to be "hydraulic" or are you going to need to set "clearance" on all of the valves?? I'm suspecting that's why you went to the timing mark next ???

[@bryaninwood683]

Are you sure that's not a I for inlet 0 for outlet with those rocker arms love your show keep up the good work

[@Jims.Workshop]

I'm lovin' this build! Just curious - why no assembly lube on the rocker shaft?

[@koniggigih1]

Or maybe “relitive to” hats sound pretty rad!

[@yokarniybabayracingteam6304]

This video is better and more informative than special lessons in Russian universities :)))

[@rogjackson]

Fancy smancy pointy thing!

[@code3kc]

Idk if it matters but the cotter pin on the end of the rocker arm assembly didn't look bent to secure it in place. This engine is really looking pretty though

[@thelexkex]

this is one loooooooong engine

[@teddysmith457]

My Lord. What does that Head weigh? I’ll bet it is one heavy son of a gun

[@Hagerty]

It's quite heavy!

[@joshuamartin1554]

I dot ever wanna see it on the bench again!!!

[@NovaResource]

0:23 Goal: long block assembled (that includes tinwork). 12:40 no tinwork installed. Best laid plans of mice and men... Good job Davin. Looking forward to the next video.

[@Jesse-B]

Apart from anything else, she's beautiful.