Junkyard nailhead, 322 two barrel?

[Guest Faust]

I looked under the hood of a '55 Super and saw a complete engine, with a two barrel carb. Being a Super, it should be a 322 and a four barrel. I was assured that it ran when it came in. Is there a quick way to determnine if it is a 322?

[Guest BJM]

Faust,

Supers had two barrels at least through 1956. Centurys and Roadmasters had the four barrel carb.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

I too thought the 55 Super had either a 4 brl Stromberg or Carter. I think 54 Super was the only year with the 2 brl

of course I may be wrong. I was wrong one time. One time I thought that I was wrong...turned out I was right... he he he

[Bhigdog]

In 55 only the 40 Series used a 264 with 2 barrel carb. 50-60-70 series all used a 322 with 4 barrel. At least that's what book says. Either someone put a 264 manifold/carb on a 322 (I don't know if it will interchange ) or you are looking at a 264 engine. When I bought my 55 Olds Super 88 I had the same deal, 2 barrel where a 4 belonged, but for the Olds it didn't matter since there was only one size block and it was easy to go back to a 4 barrel. Maybe someone can come up with casting #'s for 322 blocks.........Bob

[old-tank]

All 322 engines in 55 had a 4 barrel. The 322 used a harmonic balance while the 264 in the Special had simple pulley at the front of the crank.

Willie

[Guest imported_Thriller]

For '56, all engines were 322 ci. The Special was the only one with the 2-bbl. Series 50-60-70 got a 4-bbl carb and higher compression.

[Gary_N]

Not sure if this is correct, but if I read my book correctly:

Part or Casting Number:

1955 - 322 1392101 Dynaflow to engine no. 1145218, series 40

1955 - 322 1392290 Dynaflow after engine no. 1145218, series 40

1955 - 322 1392102 Manual to engine no. 1142556, series 40

1955 - 322 1392291 Manual after engine no. 1142556, series 40

1955 - 322 1392101 Dynaflo to engine no. 1058464 and no. 1058494 and to no. 1058504, and manual to no. 1063628 series 50/60/70.

1955 - 322 1392292 Dynaflow to engine no. 1058494 and after no. 1058504 (series 50/60/70) and manual after no. 1063628 series 50 and 60

Hope I copied this right and it wasn't a waste of time 'cause it tool me three times to get it right.

Gary

[Guest Faust]

I'm going to look at it again tomorrow, I'll check for numbers and a balancer. I remember that the engine looked like it grew there.

For what it is worth, the "Body Number" VIN is 5-B601575.

[Guest BJM]

Thanks guys, for the correction.

[Guest Faust]

Well, I went by to visit it again today. Here are pics of the "number" and what looks like a harmonic balancer. Click to enlarge. The "Number" is 1166349, sorry head number is only one I could find.

[Gary_N]

Well, I'm confused but here's what I have:

Cylinder Heads for a '55 - 1391947 (But this could be a part number since my master pars book shows '55 and '56 heads having a part number of 1392351.???

The number that you have shows in my book as part numbers for a '55 2 Barrel Manifold (numbers start at 1165308).

Sorry to muddy up the place. Thought I was helping.

Gary

[old-tank]

It is most likely a 322 that someone put a 2 barrel on it hoping for better economy.

[Guest Faust]

OK, a quick question. Where do I find a block number on a nailhead?

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

It will be hard to see but it is stamped on the left side, flat part of the block between the middle branches of the exhaust maniflod. The last digit will tell what the engine is from. 4-Special, 5=Super, 6=Century, 7=Roadmaster.

[Guest Faust]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old-tank</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is most likely a 322 that someone put a 2 barrel on it hoping for better economy. </div></div>

I was thinking that. The engine is very clean, but the "green" on the manifold is a poor match for the rest of it.