Roadmaster75 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I know, I know… should search the forums , but I'm lazy today.I may be purchasing a pair of 1952 Roadmaster 320 engines from anolder gentleman down the road that has had them stored for years & they are not frozen up. I'm located in rural N. Illinois about 60 miles west of Chicago.I would intend to re-build one or both for fun. Completeness of both engines will be an important buying point. I don't want to get into sourcinga lot of scarce, expensive parts to make a complete engine.Quick questions:- I'm pretty sure these motors would be insert bearings for both mains and rods..right?- If so, are the bearings readily available or….?- Did all Roadmasters in 1952 have 4 barrel carbs? What were they?- general idea of how much the parts should cost for a complete re-build; incl. valve job, valve train parts, etc?- any other pointers on what to look for or check out when looking at them?Apparently, this fellow has these motors AND a complete 1937 Special drive train; PLUSa 1954 Packard 359 cu. in. straight 8. A car buddy of mine wants the Packard motor.Any guidance will be most appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Yes, they will have insert bearings; yes, all '52 Roadmasters are supposed to have 4-barrel carburetors--Stromberg, I believe. Yes, all rebuild parts are readily available, but the three-piece exhaust manifold is prone to cracking and can be expensive to replace--actually it's four pieces if you count the butterfly valve housing. The portion that accommodates the four-barrel carb is very rare--one-year-only and only on the Roadmaster. Carbruretor base-to-intake manifold gasket is just about impossible to find.Pete Phillips, BCA #7338Leonard, Texas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidride2 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) The carb base to intake gaskets are plentiful. The exhaust manifold is an engineering fault. Stromberg carbs were installed. They also came with a slightly more desirable carter w.c.f.b. 894s (Will Carter Four Barrel) They also have hydraulic lifters.I'm having hardened seats (for unleaded fuel), full valve job, guides installed, springs checked etc. as needed on my 52' 320 for between 3-$400 as we speak. They are an advertised 7.5:1 compression. They are torqey, low r.p.m. engines. Edited July 19, 2014 by rapidride2 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 The carb base to intake gaskets are plentifulOkay, so I'm a liar. Would you care to tell me where to find one? Bob's Automobilia does not carry them. CARS, Inc. does not have them. You cannot find them on Ebay. I searched for three months when I needed one a few years ago. Would you care to sell me one now, for the next time I need one? Would like to buy one from you.Pete Phillips, BCA #7338Leonard, Tx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 The carb base to intake gaskets are plentifulOkay, so I'm a liar. Would you care to tell me where to find one?Lol, Pete I was wondering the same. I've had several people ask me where to get one and I've always told them they are hard, if not impossible, to find. It would be nice to know where they are so I could have an answer for the next time someone asks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidride2 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) Assuming we are talking about the thick gasket that mounts between the carburetor base and intake manifold...It came from the Carburetor Shop Eldon, Missouri. I believe it was carburetor kit cs 527???. Purchased 3-4 years ago. Made in U.S.A as well. Edited July 20, 2014 by rapidride2 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) Ok, that guy at the Carburetor Shop makes most of his carburetor kits and gaskets by hand, to order, and charges prices commensurate with fine, hand-built craftsmanship. I wouldn't call one made-to-order '52 carburetor base gasket "plentiful". How about selling me one of yours, rapidride2, if they are that plentiful? Edited July 20, 2014 by Pete Phillips (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidride2 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 I called the gentleman, ordered the part, it came in the mail a week later. I think the kit price was $50-$60 (if I remember right?) It was a deluxe kit with jets etc.As far as buying my gasket, it's obviously being used. I conveniently ordered mine. You can do the same, it's easy. http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Orderinfo.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadmaster75 Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Thanks for the info, Lads…..Should be viewing these babies in the next couple of days & will report back.I hope they are complete.PSI wonder if anyone has ever put one of those after market fuel injection systemson a 320 inch straight 8 ….? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 '75, I have one on my 248. Could not be happier! Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadmaster75 Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Well I got a quick peek at these engines today. The man said they were both from1952 Roadmasters. Both are well kept and spin freely.Unfortunately, they are both missing the correct exhaustand intake manifolds. The first two images are the number pads on the blocks. Can we tellif this is indeed what they are?He thought the Dynaflow pictured was on one of them, but wasn't sure. Can anyone tell from this number on thetrans?The picture of the intake is a 2 Barrel manifold with a two barrel carb & was bolted upto one motor; so, Someone must have put an older intake and carb on the motor. Don't know what year itmay have been from…. anyone recognize it?Also, missing for one motor is the plate that goes between the block and trans ; as well as the flywheel.He had both starters, distributors, generators, water pumps, fuel pumps, oil filter housings, etc. I'd still have to buy good used intakes and exhaustsand the missing flywheel/starter plate.The cost of sourcing these items may put a "fun" winter project into bigger dollars that I want to spend.My thought was to re-build one stock & one with some tweaks...He's asking $1000 for all this stuff……. a lot of cast iron to think about!What do you fellas think..?BTW,He also has a complete (air cleaner to pan) '37 Special engine and trans for $500.Lastly, he has a 48 Roadmaster stick shift bell housing and trans for sale… didn't ask the pricebut if anyone is interested…let me know and I'll find out. (OR, will it fit onto one of these 2 motorswith a bearing pressed into the crank?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retirednow Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Yes, both #'s end in 7, indicating they are from Roadmasters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidride2 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 A gentleman named Gerry Duttweiler makes aftermarket intake and exhaust manifolds if that interests you. 51' roadmaster had 2 bbl carbs on them. There is a person who has installed fuel injection on a 263 (I believe his name is jyrki) He's over on the team buick website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Ben Bruce (First Born on this forum) installed fuel injection on his straight eight. Check the modified forum for that info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Ben Bruce (First Born on this forum) installed fuel injection on his straight eight. Check the modified forum for that info.http://forums.aaca.org/f118/1950-special-modified-12v-efi-345328.html(I already had the page up...looks like the only way to drive my 55 in the mountains with this volatile crap for gas) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadmaster75 Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 http://forums.aaca.org/f118/1950-special-modified-12v-efi-345328.html(I already had the page up...looks like the only way to drive my 55 in the mountains with this volatile crap for gas)Thanks for refreshing my memory on this link, OldTankVery encouraging…...I know everyone is at the Nats, but does anyone recognize the number on the DynaFlow picture above?Does it look like it would be a mate to one of those '52 320's …….?If I buy these I'll have to source a flywheel, '52 4BBL intakes, and exhaust manifolds.My plan to build a STOUT engine test stand would be accelerated, too!THanks fellas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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