Need help identifying Nailhead

[Moby II]

Have a nailhead in my garage that hasn't see daylight in quite a few years. I have no way to move it, and was hoping someone could give me direction as to how to identify it. What numbers should I look for and where to look.

I did find #1343840-4 on one of the heads. The numbers on the block itself are hard to see.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks, Paula

[hotrod1940]

Underneath the upper front water hose, at the front of the intake valley, there is a lip with numbers. They may be spread out, so clean that lip good so you can see them.

Once you have them, we can tell what you have.

[JohnD1956]

This is not definitive, but will help narrow the field of possibilities.

Check to see if there are studs between the spark plugs upon which to hang the spark plug galley covers. If so it's a 53- 56 I believe.

[wildcat1562]

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 width=300 bgColor=#ffff99><TBODY><TR><TD>1343840<!--part no. 1391556--></TD><TD>1953</TD><TD>322</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

this is it

Greg

[TxBuicks]

First year for a Buick V-8.

[BUICK RACER]

Hey PL, send it to Flint, got a guy looking for one! LOL!

[1953mack]

To all of the previous posters..........you guys are basing your incorrect answers on a CASTING NUMBER and not the ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER.

1953 Buick V8 engine serial numbers ran between 2001 (plus a suffix of "5" or "7") and 273955 (plus a suffix of "5" or "7"). There was not a dash (-) between the engine serial number and the suffix. Note that the highest engine serial number for 1953 had only SIX digits plus the seventh digit being either a suffix of "5" or a "7"....."5" for SUPERS and "7" for ROADMASTERS including SKYLARKS.

Also, there was not a suffix of "4" for 1953 Buick V8's because "4" would denote a SPECIAL and 1953 BUICK SPECIALS were all straight eights.

Also, the engine serial number starting in 1957 was on a flat below the upper front water hose.....not true of 1953-1956 nailheads.

There are two locations that the engine serial number can be found on 1953-1956 Buick engines. What's the correct number you are asking about?

Al Mack

"500 MILES WEST OF FLINT"

[Moby II]

Thanks to all for trying to help me ID this engine.

I am having a really hard time trying to find numbers on this engine because:

1 - I can't move it because I weigh less than 20% of what it does,

2 - Scraping the dirt off is really an issue because I might break a fingernail, &

3 - Digging around in my garage in 4" high heels is really an issue.

But seriously - I had listed the 1343840-4 number as the number on the HEAD, not on the engine block.

I might know model numbers of Buicks, but I really don't know engine parts.

Other numbers I found on other components include 1343872-1, 1342865-4, and a partial that looks like 13 388 that appears to be on the block.

I do know it's a V-8. Previous occupants of my garage included a 1953 76C and a 1955 66C, so I am guessing that it may be a 322.

Bottom like is I need as much help as I can get as I would like to off this engine (in addition to two others - 340 and 455) so I can have some $$$ to finish my GS Convertible

Any thoughts as to what the nailhead may be worth?

Again - thanks!

[buick5563]

I am having a really hard time trying to find numbers on this engine because:

1 - I can't move it because I weigh less than 20% of what it does,

2 - Scraping the dirt off is really an issue because I might break a fingernail, &

3 - Digging around in my garage in 4" high heels is really an issue.

Very spunky. Outstanding!

I believe that both of those cars (mid-50's nailhead powered cars) would have a number stamped (with numbers approximately 1/2" tall) on the drivers side of the block just below the head in the middle of the engine. That would be between the two middle exhaust holes (assuming the manifold is off).

So assuming you can deal with a dirty fingertip (your nails should be fine) dip a paper towel in mineral spirits and wipe that spot.

[Moby II]

Mike -

Sure appreciate your response. The driver's side is up against the wall!!!

Maybe this weekend I will try to put an the floor jack under the cradle it sits in and see if I can move it enough to get to the number.

I'll post it here when (and if) I find it.

And yes, I can get my fingers dirty - just as long as I don't break a nail1 LOL!

Thanks!

[BUICK RACER]

You know how to use the camera, so snap a few pictures of all those engines and post here for us to help, that will almost be like being there, LOL!

Oh, and the guys probably wouldn't mind the pictures of the 4" heels! :eek:

[hotrod1940]

To all of the previous posters..........you guys are basing your incorrect answers on a CASTING NUMBER and not the ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER.

Also, the engine serial number starting in 1957 was on a flat below the upper front water hose.....not true of 1953-1956 nailheads.

Using the word incorrect is not correct in your response.

In my response, the engine serisl number is found on the flat below the water hose as you also said.That would make us both incorrect accordind to you. I have three Nailheads in the garage, but I didn't know about the info that you provided about the 53 thru 57 engines, I learned that today.

I do not post if I don't know.

[wildcat1562]

<INS style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; POSITION: relative; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 728px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline-table; HEIGHT: 90px; VISIBILITY: visible; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><INS style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; POSITION: relative; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 728px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 90px; VISIBILITY: visible; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0px" id=aswift_0_anchor><IFRAME style="POSITION: absolute; TOP: 0px; LEFT: 0px" id=aswift_0 height=90 marginHeight=0 frameBorder=0 width=728 allowTransparency name=aswift_0 marginWidth=0 scrolling=no></IFRAME></INS></INS>Buick Nailhead Casting Numbers

• <CENTER><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 width=300 bgColor=#ffff99><TBODY><TR bgColor=#c0c0c0><TD>Block Cast #</TD><TD>Year</TD><TD>Displacement</TD></TR><TR><TD>1169334</TD><TD>56-59</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1173201<!--c--></TD><TD>57-60</TD><TD>364</TD></TR><TR><TD>1172889<!--c--></TD><TD>60</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1174372</TD><TD>57-58</TD><TD>364</TD></TR><TR><TD>1185484</TD><TD>59-60</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1185404<!--c--></TD><TD>61-66</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1185485<!--c--></TD><TD>61-66</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1196546</TD><TD>61</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1196547</TD><TD>61</TD><TD>364</TD></TR><TR><TD>1340146</TD><TD>63-66</TD><TD>425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1346046</TD><TD>61-66</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1349046</TD><TD>62-66</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1354704</TD><TD>63-66</TD><TD>425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1354713</TD><TD>64-66</TD><TD>425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1354714</TD><TD>64-66</TD><TD>425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1364704</TD><TD>63-66</TD><TD>425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1364705<!--c--></TD><TD>64-66</TD><TD>401/425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1364707</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1364714</TD><TD>64-66</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1390972</TD><TD>1953</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1391629</TD><TD>1954 dyna.</TD><TD>264</TD></TR><TR><TD>1391753</TD><TD>1954</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1391871</TD><TD>1954 std.</TD><TD>264</TD></TR><TR><TD>1392101</TD><TD>1955</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1392102</TD><TD>1955 std.</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1392290</TD><TD>1955 dyna.</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1392291</TD><TD>1955 dyna.</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1392586*</TD><TD>1956 dyna.</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1392734</TD><TD>1956</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#c0c0c0><TD colSpan=3>*Chev truck</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
  <TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 width=300 bgColor=#ffff99><TBODY><TR bgColor=#c0c0c0><TD>Intake Manifold
  Cast #</TD><TD>Year</TD><TD>Displacement</TD></TR><TR><TD>1162286</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>322 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1163206</TD><TD>54-55</TD><TD>322 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1165308</TD><TD>53-55</TD><TD>322 2bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1165308
  1169189 man. trans.
  1170624</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>322 2bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1165384</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>322 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1169189</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>40 std.</TD></TR><TR><TD>1170624</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>322 2bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1170625
  50/60/70</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>322 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1175327</TD><TD>57-61</TD><TD>364 2bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1175328</TD><TD>57-61</TD><TD>364 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1173313</TD><TD>57-61</TD><TD>364 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1187708</TD><TD>59-62</TD><TD>401 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1349425</TD><TD>62</TD><TD>401 2bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1353531</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>401 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1355410</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>401 2bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1357106</TD><TD>64</TD><TD>425 2x4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1363782</TD><TD>64-65</TD><TD>4bbl
  GS 400 and others</TD></TR><TR><TD>1370316</TD><TD>65-66</TD><TD>425 2x4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1375118</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>401 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1375518</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>401 4bbl</TD></TR><TR><TD>1375548</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1375548</TD><TD>64-66</TD><TD>401 4bbl</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#c0c0c0><TD colSpan=3></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 width=300 bgColor=#ffff99><TBODY><TR bgColor=#c0c0c0><TD>Head Cast #</TD><TD>Year</TD><TD>Displacement</TD></TR><TR><TD>1344214</TD><TD>1953</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1343840<!--part no. 1391556--></TD><TD>1953</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1165549<!--part no. 1391745--></TD><TD>54</TD><TD>264/322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1166349</TD><TD>54-56</TD><TD>264/322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1168930</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1169349</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1172889<!--part no. 1392747--></TD><TD>59-60</TD><TD>364/401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1175109</TD><TD>56-59</TD><TD>322*</TD></TR><TR><TD>1185485<!--part no. 1392747--></TD><TD>61-66</TD><TD>364/401/425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1190415<!--part no. 1392747--></TD><TD>62-66</TD><TD>364/401/425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1196914<!--part no. 1392747--></TD><TD>59-66</TD><TD>364/401/425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1374603</TD><TD>64-66</TD><TD>401/425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1376912</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>401/425</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#c0c0c0><TD colSpan=3>*Chev truck</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
  <TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 width=300 bgColor=#ffff99><TBODY><TR bgColor=#c0c0c0><TD>Exhaust Manifold
  Cast #</TD><TD>Year</TD><TD>Displacement</TD></TR><TR><TD>1165212 right
  1345564-5left</TD><TD>54-55</TD><TD>264/322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1168110 right
  1169265 left</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1168110 right
  1169001 left</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1175576 right
  1175575 left</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1175576 right
  1175581 left</TD><TD>56 with duals
  and series 70</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1185463 right
  1185463 left</TD><TD>57-58</TD><TD>364</TD></TR><TR><TD>1185602 right
  1185603 left</TD><TD>59-60</TD><TD>364, 401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1185602 right
  1186291 left</TD><TD>59-60, duals</TD><TD>364, 401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1187336 right
  1185463 left</TD><TD>57-58
  RM, Limited</TD><TD>364</TD></TR><TR><TD>1196974 right
  1196457 left</TD><TD>61</TD><TD>364, 401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1345564-5 right
  1345564-5 left</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>322</TD></TR><TR><TD>1351702 right
  1348477 left</TD><TD>62</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1377476 right
  1372319 left</TD><TD>65-66 GS</TD><TD>401</TD></TR><TR><TD>1377480 right
  1348477 left</TD><TD>64</TD><TD>401, 425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1377480 right
  1367159 left</TD><TD>65-66</TD><TD>401, 425</TD></TR><TR><TD>1396568 right
  1348477 left</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>401, 425</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#c0c0c0><TD colSpan=3></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
  

[1953mack]

Okay, so we determined that the heads are off a 1953 Buick V8 engine.

Now we need to determine whether the engine block is a 1953, 1954, 1955, or 1956, or whether the 1953 heads have been installed on a 1954-1956 engine block.

The quickest way to identify a 1953 engine block is to look for a 1" x 1" hole, with or without the removable cover over it, in the top of the integral bellhousing, driver's side, to the rear of #8 cylinder. This hole exposes the flywheel gears (and a painted tooth) that was used to time the ignition spark before a degreed damper/pulley was added to later 1953 engines. 1954-1956 engine blocks did not have this 1" x 1" hole.

Al Mack

"500 MILES WEST OF FLINT"

[Moby II]

You know how to use the camera, so snap a few pictures of all those engines and post here for us to help, that will almost be like being there, LOL!

Oh, and the guys probably wouldn't mind the pictures of the 4" heels! :eek:

Hey RV-

That's a great idea. Hopefully I can do that on Sunday. Getting the GN ready for NPD's big GM show ai Silver Springs on Saturday. Haven't had to detail anything for a long time!!!

[Moby II]

Finally got some photos of the nailhead. And I didn't even break a fingernail!

Could not move it as the cradle it sits in is not in great shape so I couldn't photograph the other side. If it is a '53 would it be a 322? Any guesstimate as to the value? I do want to sell it, so I hope there is interest somewhere. Thanks for everyone's help!

[1953mack]

What's the number?

There should be a number etched in the oil filter base assembly boss that is shown in your second and fifth picture. It is the flat on the lower left portion of the pictures.

This is the unknown, to many, SECOND location where the engine number is located on 1953-1956 Buick V8's.

Unfortunately, you don't have a picture of the left rear top portion of the engine's integral bellhousing (flywheel housing) that would show the 1" x 1" square hole used for ignition spark timing on 1953 V8 engines. Get on a stool and take a peek over there.....it will answer alot of questions you have. :mad:

Al Mack

"500 MILES WEST OF FLINT"

[MrEarl]

The quickest way to tell a 53 from later 322's is to look straight down at the water manifold. The two bolts that hold the thermostat housing on (and the breather bracket) will be directly opposite each other and inline with the cross manifold pipe on a 53 engine and offset from the alignment of the pipe on later 322's. Also the right side exhaust manifold on a 53 is unique in that it has the generator mounting holes molded into it, later models don't. Then of course if the spark plug covers are still on it and are original, 53's have the wires coming out the rear ends where later ones have the wires coming out the top back. Also '53 322's will have a cast iron crankshaft pulley, not the later years harmonic balancer.

Thanks for the info re the second serial number location Al, I am one of the many that didn't know that factoid.

Now back to those "4 inch heels", got pictures?

[bhambulldog]

Thanks to all for trying to help me ID this engine.

I am having a really hard time trying to find numbers on this engine because:

1 - I can't move it because I weigh less than 20% of what it does,

2 - Scraping the dirt off is really an issue because I might break a fingernail, &

3 - Digging around in my garage in 4" high heels is really an issue.

But seriously - I had listed the 1343840-4 number as the number on the HEAD, not on the engine block.

I might know model numbers of Buicks, but I really don't know engine parts.

Other numbers I found on other components include 1343872-1, 1342865-4, and a partial that looks like 13 388 that appears to be on the block.

I do know it's a V-8. Previous occupants of my garage included a 1953 76C and a 1955 66C, so I am guessing that it may be a 322.

Bottom like is I need as much help as I can get as I would like to off this engine (in addition to two others - 340 and 455) so I can have some $$$ to finish my GS Convertible

Any thoughts as to what the nailhead may be worth?

Again - thanks!

Rebuild-able core ; $300 - $350

IMHO