Identifying Buick Nailhead engine

dei · July 3rd, 2009

OK, I'm starting the long process of organizing one of my garages and have come across an engine I moved years ago, shoved it the back corner and will likely not be using as I think it is older than my 58's.
Have not taken a picture yet but here is a brief description: has the spark plug side covers, vibration dampener has only one grove for a water pump belt, intake is for a two barrel carb. At this point have not tried to turn it over (sitting on 4x4's on the floor - garage insulated) so condition is unknown right now.
Can it be determined what year car it fits by this or suggestions as no way do I want to junk this before it could be used by somebody else. Thanks, Doug.

JohnD1956 · July 3rd, 2009

53-55 Special. Can you post a picture of that harmonic balancer, as it may also be a 56.

dei · July 3rd, 2009

Plan on getting back in there on Sunday. Once I get more things moved out of the way will get a picture and try to see if it is free. Would that make it a 322 then? Thanks, Doug.

p.s. As I come across things that I don't feel I will use, will post in the hopes of trading for things for my 58's. (My time to do this has come)

JohnD1956 · July 3rd, 2009

If it's a 56 it's a 322. If it's earlier, it's most likely a 263/264. Here's some additional infor I just learned from the Standard Catalog of Buicks.

Since it is a two barrel carb,
1953 The Special would have the 263, the Super model would have the 322
1954 same thing
1955, The special would have the same thing, but the Super would now have a 4 bbl carb.
1956 All models had the 322 and the Special alone had a 2 bbl carb.

There was a redesign of the harmonic balancer in 56 which would isolate that year. The other years probably need the engine number, and the services of Dave Corbin's database of information.

MrEarl · July 4th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnD1956

If it's a 56 it's a 322. If it's earlier, it's most likely a 263/264. Here's some additional infor I just learned from the Standard Catalog of Buicks.

Since it is a two barrel carb,
1953 The Special would have the 263, the Super model would have the 322
1954 same thing
1955, The special would have the same thing, but the Super would now have a 4 bbl carb.
1956 All models had the 322 and the Special alone had a 2 bbl carb.

There was a redesign of the harmonic balancer in 56 which would isolate that year. The other years probably need the engine number, and the services of Dave Corbin's database of information.

Lets see, close but off on a couple.....

1953 The Special would have the 263 Straight Eight, the Super model would have the 322V-8 with 2bbl carb
1954 The Special would have the 264 V-8 w 2 bbc, the Super would have the 322 V-8 w/2 bbl carb
1955, The special would have the same thing, but the Super would now have a 4 bbl carb.

If it has a pulley instead of a harmonic balancer it is likely a 1954 264.

If you will look, there is an engine serial number on the left side of the cylinder block at the top. In 54, I know the last digit was the series ie 4= 40/Special. 5=50/Super, 6 = 60/Century, 7 = 70/Roadmaster, not sure about 55,56

post the engine numbers and we can tell what it is

buick5563 · July 4th, 2009

1955 Specials (264 cu. in.) didn't have a harmonic balancer. Sounds like a 322 without power steering

dei · July 7th, 2009

Alright Guys & Gals,
After an agonizing Sunday trying to uncover (dispose of as my wife would wish) the motor (plus other collectibles) and having a main power supply failure to the garage (yes the bad luck continues! http://forums.aaca.org/images/smilies/mad.gif) here is what I have to report: the block has a cast number located at the back below the distributor (not stamped at the top front near the water pump) and reads 1165752. Is this the engine number that dates this one or am I missing one somewhere else under the dirt and grease.
Second, hopefully my pictures will be attached and help but `if` not posting.... the crank pulley is single as stated before and the design has a three spoke wheel look rather than a deep dish damper design. The other thing that I noticed is what I believe top be a dual action fuel pump (correct wording...) rather than my 58`s design.
Thanks for any help here. Patience on posting pics with this new upgrade, I seem to be learning slower, Doug.

Thriller · July 7th, 2009

I can't nail it down as I don't know enough, but the starting engine numbers by year are in the BCA Judging Manual...there is a link from Buick Club of America - BCA - Welcome under Documents...it is a fairly large PDF.

MrEarl · July 8th, 2009

I'm gonna say it's a 55 264 based on the 55 fuel pump, oil filler holes in the rocker covers and the pulley vs a harmonic balancer. Did you read my post above re the engine numbers. Again, they are STAMPED, not molded on the top outer edge of the left cylinder bank, between the middle branches of the exhaust manifold. I bet the number ends in a 4

dei · July 8th, 2009

Mr Earl,
Thanks for your input. I will try and move it off the wall to view the Stamped number to confirm this. Reread your notes and thought it would be between the valve covers and intake somewhere but must have been too frustrated to think clearly! Now that there is a path and light will go over it again and thanks.
Should it be as you suggest is there any value to it? Not sure about turning over (free) yet. I think it is sitting a bit on the wood frame so will have to check this. I have found the exhaust manifolds and believe the carb and starter are in here somewhere. The water pump turns quietly by hand and spins a bit. Really need to clean things up and hope someone could make use of things I don't need, Doug.