1961 BUICK SPECIAL

Models:

Buick Special, Standard Model, Series 4000, 8 Cylinder

Buick Special, DeLuxe Model, Series 4100, 8 Cylinder

Buick Special, 8 Cylinder:

Standard Model, Body Data & Pricing:

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Model 4019,

Base Price: $2,384; Shipping Weight: 2,610 Pounds

Production Total: 18,339

2 Door Sport Coupe, 6 Passenger, Model 4027

Base Price: $2,330; Shipping Weight: 2,579 Pounds

Production Total: 4,232

4 Door Station Wagon, 6 Passenger, Model 4035

Base Price: $2,681; Shipping Weight: 2,775 Pounds

Production Total: 6,101

2 Door Skylark Sport Coupe, 6 Passenger, Model 4317

Base Price: $2,621; Shipping Weight: 2,687 Pounds

Production Total: 12,683

4 Door Station Wagon, 8 Passenger, Model 4045

Base Price: $2,792; Shipping Weight: 2,844 Pounds

Production Total: 798

Buick Special, 8 Cylinder:

DeLuxe Model, Body Data & Pricing:

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Model 4119,

Base Price: $2,519; Shipping Weight: 2,632 Pounds

Production Total: 32,986

4 Door Station Wagon, 6 Passenger, Model 4135

Base Price: $2,816; Shipping Weight: 2,794 Pounds

Production Total: 11,729

Total Special Production: 86,868.

Chassis:

Wheelbase:

All Models: 112"

Tire Sizes:

All Models: 6.50 X 13"

Major Engine Specifications, Buick Special, 155 H.P.:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-Type 8 Cylinder

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3.500" X 2.80"

Engine Displacement: 215 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 8.80:1

Taxable Horsepower: 39.20

Horsepower: 155 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 220 Ft. Lbs. @ 2,400 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 33 PSI

Carburetor: 2 Barrel

Major Engine Specifications, Buick Special, 185 H.P.:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-Type 8 Cylinder

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3.500" X 2.80"

Engine Displacement: 215 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 10.25:1

Taxable Horsepower: 39.20

Horsepower: 185 @ 4,800 RPM

Torque: 230 Ft. Lbs. @ 2,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 33 PSI

Carburetor: 4 Barrel

Capacities, Special:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 12 Quarts

With Heater: 13-1/2 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 13-1/2 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure:

With Air Conditioning: 15 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 15 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 170 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 16 Gallons

Engine Oil: 4 Quarts*

Manual Transmission Capacity: 2-1/4 Pints

Automatic Transmission Capacity: 6 Quarts

Rear Axle Capacity: 2 Pints

* Add 1 Quart for Oil Filter.

Tune-Up Data, All with 2 Barrel Carburetor:

Spark Plug Type: AC 45FFS

Spark Plug Gap: .035"

Ignition Point Gap: .016" (Turn Screw in until engine misfires, then back off 1/2 turn.)

Distributor Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing Mark & Location: 5 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed: 525 RPM, in Neutral (With A/C full on, if so equipped)

Compression Pressure: 180 PSI

Fuel Pump Pressure: 4-1/2 to 5-3/4 PSI

Tune-Up Data, All with 4 Barrel Carburetor:

Spark Plug Type: AC 44FFS

Spark Plug Gap: .035"

Ignition Point Gap: .016" (Turn Screw in until engine misfires, then back off 1/2 turn.)

Distributor Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing Mark & Location: 5 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed: 525 RPM, in Neutral (With A/C full on, if so equipped)

Compression Pressure: 180 PSI

Fuel Pump Pressure: 4-1/2 to 5-3/4 PSI

Valve Data, Buick, All Series:

Tappet Lash:

Intake: Zero

Exhaust: Zero

Valve Seat Angle:

Seat: 45 Degrees

Face: 45 Degrees

Valve Spring Height, Installed: 1.64"

Minimum Valve Spring Pressure: 168 Pounds @ 1.26"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake: Tapered .0015"-.002"

Exhaust: Tapered .002"-.0025"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: Tapered .3407"-.3412"

Exhaust: Tapered .3402-.3407"

Piston, Pins, Rings, Crankshaft, & Bearings, 215 Cu. In. Engine:

Piston Clearance: .001"-.0016"

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .015"

Oil Control: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .8748"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.000""

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0002"-.0022"

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.2982"

Main Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0021"

Thrust on Bearing #3

Shaft End Play: .004"-.008"

Engine Tightening Specifications, 215 Cu. In. Engines:

Spark Plugs: 15-20 Ft. Lbs.

Cylinder Head Bolts: 50-55 Ft. Lbs.

Intake Manifold: 25-30 Ft. Lbs.

Exhaust Manifold: 10-15 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Shaft Bracket: 25-30 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Cover: 3-5 Ft. Lbs.

Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 30-35 Ft. Lbs.

Main Bearing Cap Bolts: 50-55 Ft. Lbs.

Flywheel to Crankshaft: 50-60 Ft. Lbs.

Vibration Damper or Pulley: 140-160 Ft. Lbs

Delco-Remy Distributor Specifications, 215 Cu. In. Engine:

Distributor # 1110973

Rotation: Clockwise

Point Opening: .016" (Turn adjusting screw in until engine misfires, then back off 1/2 turn.)

Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 19-23 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ 350 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 1,850 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data

Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: 5" to 7"

Maximum Vacuum Advance: 12 Degrees @ 17" Vacuum

Delco-Remy Generator & Regulator Specifications, All Series:

Generator # 11021381

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 35 Amperes

Brush Spring Tension 28 Ounces

Field Current: 1.69 to 1.79 Amperes

Regulator #: 1119242

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.3 Volts

Armature Air Gap: .020"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.3 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 35 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075"

Generator # 1102215

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 45 Amperes

Brush Spring Tension 28 Ounces

Field Current: 2.66 to 2.86 Amperes

Regulator #: 1119617

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.4 Volts

Armature Air Gap: .020"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.2 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 45 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075"

Generator # 1110389

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 35 Amperes

Brush Spring Tension 26-32 Ounces

Field Current: 1.69 to 1.79 Amperes

Regulator #: 1119242

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.3 Volts

Armature Air Gap: .020"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.3 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 35 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075"

Generator # 1102235

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 35 Amperes

Brush Spring Tension 28 Ounces

Field Current: 1.69 to 1.79 Amperes

Regulator #: 1119277

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.8 Volts

Armature Air Gap: .020"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.4 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 35 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075"

Delco-Remy Starting Motor Specifications, 215 Cu. In. Engine:

Starter # 1108303

Brush Spring Tension: 35 Ounces

No Load Test: 58-80 Amperes, 10.6 Volts @ 6,750 to 10,500 RPM

Torque Test: 280-320 Amperes, 4.0 Volts;

Rear Axle & Brake Data, All Series:

Carrier Type: Integral

Differential Bearing Preload:

Method: Shim

Adjustment:

New Bearings: 20-30 Inch Lbs.

Used Bearings: 10-20 Inch Lbs.

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash:

Method: Shim

Adjustment: .007"-.009"

Pinion Bearing Preload:

Method: Shim

Adjustment:

New Bearings: 25-35 Inch Lbs.

Used Bearings: 15-25 Inch Lbs.

Brake Drum Diameter: 9.50" (Plus or minus .005")

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1.125"

Rear: 1.00"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1.00"

Wheel Alignment Data:

Caster: - 2 Degrees

Camber:

Left: - 5/8 Degrees

Right: - 5/8 Degrees

Toe In: 7/32" to 5/16"

Toe Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 23-2/3 Degrees

Carter Carburetor Specifications:

Carburetor Model #AFB

Carburetor Part # 3088S, 3089S

Idle Screw Setting, 1/4 to 1-3/4 Turns to Open

Fast Idle Speed: 650 RPM

Float Level:

Primary: 7/32"

Secondary: 7/32"

Float Drop:

Primary: 23/32"

Secondary: 23/32"

Pump Travel: 7/16"

Choke Unloader: 7/32

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Rochester Carburetor Specifications:

Carburetor Type: 4GC

Part #: 7015040

Idle Screw Setting: 1-1/2 Turns to Open

Float Level:

Primary: 1-11/32"

Secondary: 1-3/8"

Float Drop:

Primary: 1-7/16"

Secondary: 1-5/16"

Pump Rod: Center Hole

Choke Setting: Index

Fast Idle Setting: 650 RPM

Part #: 7019040

Idle Screw Setting: 1-1/2 Turns to Open

Float Level:

Primary: 1-11/32"

Secondary: 1-3/8"

Float Drop:

Primary: 1-7/16"

Secondary: 1-5/16"

Pump Rod: Center Hole

Choke Setting: Index

Fast Idle Setting: 650 RPM

Part #: 7020043

Idle Screw Setting: 1-1/2 Turns to Open

Float Level:

Primary: 1-11/32"

Secondary: 1-3/8"

Float Drop:

Primary: 1-7/16"

Secondary: 1-5/16"

Pump Rod: Outer Hole

Choke Setting: Index

Fast Idle Setting: 650 RPM

Part #: 7020045

Idle Screw Setting: 1-1/2 Turns to Open

Float Level:

Primary: 1-11/32"

Secondary: 1-3/8"

Float Drop:

Primary: 1-7/16"

Secondary: 1-5/16"

Pump Rod: Outer Hole

Choke Setting: Index

Fast Idle Setting: 650 RPM

Carburetor Type: 2GC

Part #: 7019042

Idle Screw Setting: 1-1/2 Turns to Open

Float Level: 11/16"

Float Drop: 1-29/32"

Choke Setting: 1 Rich

Part #: 7019090, 7019093

Idle Screw Setting: 1-1/2 Turns to Open

Float Level: 21/32"

Float Drop: 1-29/32"

Choke Setting: Index

Stromberg Carburetor Adjustments:

Carburetor Type: WW

Code #: 7-114A

Idle Mixture Screw: 1 to 1-1/2 Turns

Float Level: 3/16"

Fast Idle Cam Position: .025"

Choke Unloader: .144"

Pump Travel: 7/8"

Choke Vacuum Piston Position: .040"

Choke Thremostat Setting: Index

Fast Idle Speed: 625 RPM

Note: All Buick Carburetors for 1961 are listed including those for Buick Full Sized Models.

1961 Buick Paint Codes & Colors:

A Sable Black

C Arctic White

D Newport Silver

E Venice Blue

F Laguna Blue

H Bimini Blue

J Dublin Green

K Kerry Green

L Rio Red

M Sun Valley Cream

N Cordovan

P Turquoise

R Phoenix Beige

T Desert Fawn

V Tampico Red

Popular Options, All Series:

Power Steering, Power Brakes, Heater & Defroster, Air Conditioning, Cool-Pack Air Conditioning, 7.00 X 13" Tires for Skylark Coupe, Power Windows, 4 Way Power Seat, Sonotone Radio, Wonderbar Radiio, Twilight Sentinal, Guide-Matic Headlamp Dimmer, DeLuxe Wheel Covers, Back-Up Lamps.

1961 Buick Historical Data:

1961 Buick Model Year Production for Buick Specials: 86,868.

Total Buick Production including Specials: 272,774.

Promotional Model Cars Available:

Plastic: Buick Special 4 Door Station Wagon.

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