Just found this and thought I would put it up:
http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?6,29906
I've gotten a lot of e-mails over the years about sourcing of oil pump covers and also front covers. Later model Buick V6 parts bolt right onto a Buick 215 or onto Rover V8s up through 3.9 (and maybe beyond). They're readily available and they're dirt cheap, especially compared to what Rover specialists charge!
I guess one problem might be that these parts can be difficult to find using a Google search.
This link might help you: [www.silver-seal.com]
Notice the following:
brand new front cover with pump gears, springs, etc. - $144.00
same cover without the gears and springs - $116.5
brand new "metric" style oil pump cover / filter mount - $22.50
I've never bought anything from Silver Seal, but I can't help but notice that they have a very helpful website and they're proud to put their help desk phone number on every page of it. They've been in business since 1959.
Notice that the V6 front covers come with neoprene front crankshaft seals, which IMHO are clearly superior to the rope seals Buick 215 and Rover 3.5 came with. The only downside I can think of with using these covers is that the timing mark scale won't be indexed correctly for the timing mark on a V8 harmonic balancer. (You can fix that several ways...)
Notice that the "metric" oil pump cover points the filter forward at an angle which may be hugely helpful for some engine installations.
I've been using a V6 timing cover and a V6 "metric" oil pump cover for many years on my Buick 215. Ref:
The below items also work just fine on 2.5L, 3.9L & 4.2L engines. Haven't tried them on 4.0L and 4.6L engines, but they should work just fine. You will need a blanking plate for the fuel pump opening.:
MAHLE Clevite # 601-8090 Kit consisting of:
TIMING COVER # 6570SC
STANDARD OIL PUMP KIT # 6570PK
Metric Oil filter housing
MAHLE-CLEVITE / SILVER SEAL # 6570 HS
Fits:
BUICK 181ci V6 1982-1988
BUICK 231ci (3.8L) V6 1975-2002
BUICK 350ci V8 1968-1981
