ART SILVA CONVERSION - HABER/SILVA ENGINE
March 16, 2023
When Art Silva built his original Corvair V-8 Conversion, the engine used for the conversion was
an Oldsmobile 215 Aluminum V-8. That’s the same engine sitting in the car when the Hot Rod
Magazine article was published in January 1968. In the article, Art is shown holding a Buick 215
V-8 Block, the one with the Weber intake manifold. We’re not sure if this Weber engine ever
made it into Art’s car, but we do know that an Oldsmobile 215 V-8 built by Alex Haber would
eventually find its way into Art’s Metallic Green 1965 Corsa coupe where it is now.
Based on conversations with Alex Haber, the following details have been uncovered about the
engine’s features. The Oldsmobile engine was selected over a Buick engine because the Olds
215 V8 heads use 6 bolts and the Buick uses only 5 bolts. Listed below are the features Alex
Haber incorporated into the engine that he built for the Silva Shop Car.
Oldsmobile 215 aluminum V8 engine bored and stroked to 5.0 liters (302 ci) using steel sleeves and a Chevrolet crankshaft with 4-bolt main bearings
Volvo rocker arms with roller bearings
Phosphate-Bronze valve guides and sodium valves
Formula 1 oil pan
Custom steel headers
Holley 4-barrel carburetor (model not identified)
Engine Blue Printed by S&K Speed
Based on conversations with Alex Haber, Art Silva received drawings, parts and assistance with
his engine transplant. Alex indicates that Art received a trunk load of parts from the GM
Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Alex also reports that Zora Arkus-Duntov, Corvette’s
Chief Engineer, took a personal interest in Art’s plans to replace the stock Corvair engine with
the Olds 215 V8. Those parts received from GM included a full set of disc brakes, the same ones
currently on the car. Arkus-Duntov is recognized for his work at Corvette with developing four-
wheel disc brakes. Did he have a hand in this disc brake donation to Art’s project?
When Art Silva built his original Corvair V-8 Conversion, the engine used for the conversion was
an Oldsmobile 215 Aluminum V-8. That’s the same engine sitting in the car when the Hot Rod
Magazine article was published in January 1968. In the article, Art is shown holding a Buick 215
V-8 Block, the one with the Weber intake manifold. We’re not sure if this Weber engine ever
made it into Art’s car, but we do know that an Oldsmobile 215 V-8 built by Alex Haber would
eventually find its way into Art’s Metallic Green 1965 Corsa coupe where it is now.
Based on conversations with Alex Haber, the following details have been uncovered about the
engine’s features. The Oldsmobile engine was selected over a Buick engine because the Olds
215 V8 heads use 6 bolts and the Buick uses only 5 bolts. Listed below are the features Alex
Haber incorporated into the engine that he built for the Silva Shop Car.
Oldsmobile 215 aluminum V8 engine bored and stroked to 5.0 liters (302 ci) using steel sleeves and a Chevrolet crankshaft with 4-bolt main bearings
Volvo rocker arms with roller bearings
Phosphate-Bronze valve guides and sodium valves
Formula 1 oil pan
Custom steel headers
Holley 4-barrel carburetor (model not identified)
Engine Blue Printed by S&K Speed
Based on conversations with Alex Haber, Art Silva received drawings, parts and assistance with
his engine transplant. Alex indicates that Art received a trunk load of parts from the GM
Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Alex also reports that Zora Arkus-Duntov, Corvette’s
Chief Engineer, took a personal interest in Art’s plans to replace the stock Corvair engine with
the Olds 215 V8. Those parts received from GM included a full set of disc brakes, the same ones
currently on the car. Arkus-Duntov is recognized for his work at Corvette with developing four-
wheel disc brakes. Did he have a hand in this disc brake donation to Art’s project?
