Buick 231 V6 HEI Conversion

While putting in the SM465 this last winter I found out that I actually have a 1987 Buick 231 V6. Don't ask how I found out, very long story. It seems strange but the original 225 distributor must be in it. I purchase the 225 cap, rotor, points and condensor and they work.
Does anyone know where I can find a HEI conversion for the 231?
Thanks for any help!
Jeff Z

 

Summit Racing maybe.

 

The're on ebay all the time. One sold today for $25.00.

 

That one's super-easy b/c it's an even fire engine. Just walk into any parts store and ask for a distributor for a Buick Regal (any year between 1978 and 1988ish). With the cap, rotor, wires, and coil, you should be out the door for around $175.

Or, you can go to the junk yard for one. These Buick engines are a dime a dozen, and I'd guess you could get everything for $25 - $40 if you remove it yourself.

Good luck!

 

I know that Checker auto parts listed an upgrade kit in their computer, but it was on the order of $300, not sure what it came with.

The other place I would check would be RockAuto. I bought a rebuilt cardone distributor from them, reusing my old cap. My 231 even fire engine is from about 1979, and I used cardone part number 30-1693, which I bought from them, they list part number 30-1694 for a 1987 Buick Regal with the 3.8 (231) in it. I have no complaints with their service. they didnt pack it very well when they shipped it, but it wasn't damaged. I guess you would need at a minimum, the cap, the rotor and the distributor itself. Don't lose the bolt that holds the distributor on though, I did, and it was $6 on special order from the Buick dealer. I later found the one I lost, and was mad. I guess I have a spare now. You do not need a special wrench to get it on and off, just a 1/4" ratchet and 9/16" socket.

Physically it looks like a unit from a V8, but there are subtle differances inside the distributor, and the inductive pickups on the cap have differant spacings, depending on the application. My machinist also said that differant units have differant advance set ups, I'm not positive this is true though. I have read that it is imparative that you use 8mm plug wires, and that 7mm are stock on jeep. AutoZone had a set of wires for $19.99 for this engine that they guy told me were 7mm on the phone, but when I went and looked, they were 8mm. As long as I was spending all this money on ignition, I put in a set of Bosch platinum spark plugs to finish it off.

Good luck,

Doug

 

I'm surprized it runs smooth enough that you didn't suspect something wrong all along. Anyway, you don't need a "conversion" you need to simply put it back the way it was; if indeed it's an '87 style crank/block. I got mine (a stock HEI from a '77 Regal I think) from a junkyard & have converted back & forth between even & odd fire several times based on which bottom end I happen to be using. (It's embarassing, but I go thru cranks like most people go thru spark plugs. It seems that each time I'm about to spend the big bucks on a new crank/bearings, etc. a "new" {to me, anyway} shortblock enters my life for 'el cheapo price, but it's always the opposite fireing configuration of what I was replacing. You should be good to go with any Buick style (231/252) V6 HEI from a rear wheel drive application. If the one you find is the wrong configuration (odd-fire vs. even-fire) you'll need a new cap & what I call "pole piece". The rotor, wires, coil, ignition module, etc. are all the same for each style. To convert you simply drive the pin out that holds the gear & swap pick-up coils (pole peice) & put it all back together with the proper cap.

 

I have a brand new DUI for a 231 available $150+ ship . Lists for $295 direct from them --A NAPA HEI will run $125.

Looks kinda like this but Buick(black cap, not red):


Read up on it here: http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmssdui.htm

It is optimized (curved) for a 231 but not a turbo so I can't use it.

 

I'll PM you. I checked mine and it is set up as an odd fire.

 

Can anyone tell me why it runs with 225 points, cap, rotor? Is the distributor itself completely different between an even and odd fire?
Thanks

 

Strange.... Do you have a detached coil? The 231 EF or OF should have the coil integrated on the cap. There are 3 lobes on the OF pickup assembly (coil), but 6 for the EF. If it runs fine I would guess you have an older OF 231, not a newer EF.

 

The coil is seperate. I think is has more than 3 lobes on the dist. I'll check.
Thanks

 

I used the Pertronix kit to convert my 283. I realize different motor, but they might make one for yours too. Works great, easy to install. I think it was under $100 with a new coil. Got it from Summit.

 

I realized as I was reading this again that I was speaking too loosely. The shaft has 3 lobes for OF, 6 for EF. The pickup modules both have 6 points or lobes, but the EF are spaced evenly and the OF has irregular gaps. Sorry for any confusion

 

When I checked the casting number on the side of the block it came back as a 1987 231? Can you tell from a pic of the distributor internals?

 

The casting number is 25526109. Does that help? Is there a good source for Buick engine ID? I chnaged the oil pan and it has the pointed type at the front of the pan.

 

that block is a 86-87 mostly turbo engines. probly the best rear wheel drive block to come from the factory in production cars..
you did good!!! 8)

 

Thanks for the info. I'm still trying to figure out the distributor situation though. I checked it last night and the lobes seem to be evenly spaced. I'm going to try and get a pic of it tonight.
Thanks again,

 

OK, now that I know what the engine is out of I have another question. Was fuel injection available for that year?
Thanks

 

That 109 block was common in the final years of the RWD 231's and the best casting. The Grand National had the rolled fillet crank in that block. As far as fuel injection, it doesn't exisit except for turbo. The head castings changed for the 1988 FWD 3800 fuel injection which is not compatible on RWD. It may be remotely possible but I don't think the water jackets match up. I haven't heard of anyone doing it yet.