Guest Posted November 28, 2000 Share Posted November 28, 2000 What kind of intake should I use to increase performance? Does anyone have any spec recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nailvalve Posted November 29, 2000 Share Posted November 29, 2000 Need a little more info. A 322 in what? Does it a 2bbl now or a 4bbl? What do you intend to do with the car? Race only,cruise,<BR>a little of both? What if anything have you done, or are you going to, do to the engine?<BR> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2000 Share Posted November 29, 2000 I have a single four for sale. <P>------------------<BR>buickfam@aol.com<BR>Life long Buick Fan.<BR>1965 Skylark H/T<BR>1965 Gran Sport Convertible<BR>1948 Chevy Pickup with 401 Buick.<BR>"Fan of anything that moves human beings" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2000 Share Posted November 29, 2000 Sorry for the lack of info. The 322 is currently the stock motor in a '55 century. It has a stock 4bbl carter carb on it. The car is completely original and I have done nothing to it except drive it a bit.I have no experience with Buicks or restoring a car, so all of this is very new to me. I am currently doing some homework as to what is possible with the engine. I plan on using the car as my daily driver, but I would like the motor to have a lot of spunk. I plan on a rebuild in Feb. and am asking questions from you experienced folk as to a good combo of performance enhancements i can make, while still maintaining some reliablity. Thanks for any info you can provide <p>[This message has been edited by scottH (edited 11-29-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2000 Share Posted November 29, 2000 Hey Scott, I am just wrapping up my 55's drivetrain rebuild....its a lot of money, but considering it is still rinning 45 yrs on, keep it stock, but if you do part ways with it I am interested in the 4bbl carb.<BR> I do hope you keep it stock....Like I have said earlier, the only changes I made was I used 56 valvetrain....same up to 66 except cam from what I have been told...These cars were built to be the sporty of the Buick line as they are the light bodied cars with the big engine....slow off the line, but happy cruising the hiways at a comfy 65-70....on radials of course <BR> If you are in need or have extra parts for sale, drop me an e as I also got a 55 66R<P> dlw29@hotmail.com<P> My car will also be a semi daily driver plus a good run to Flint in 2003.<P> don55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2000 Share Posted November 29, 2000 dont really think there is much in the way of new speed parts for the 322. (i saw your post about heads...)<P>i think you might be surprised what that motor will do with electronic ignition and a carb rebuild. other than that, i would not change much.<P>you could look into a set of close gap rings, and perhaps a custom cam if you insist on doing a re-build.<P>allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 30, 2000 Share Posted November 30, 2000 There is an Offy two four intake in the "for sale page" for a 322. They don't fwork very good, but you may want it to experiment. <P>------------------<BR>buickfam@aol.com<BR>Life long Buick Fan.<BR>1965 Skylark H/T<BR>1965 Gran Sport Convertible<BR>1948 Chevy Pickup with 401 Buick.<BR>"Fan of anything that moves human beings" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 30, 2000 Share Posted November 30, 2000 Thanks for all of your help. I have to go with a rebuild because the car was sitting for 25 years and the compression on the drivers side of the motor varies from piston to piston between 30 to 40 lbs, while the other side is and even 40lbs.Also, I seem to be burning a lot of oil. I will probably just go with stock (maybe an isky cam if I can find one) and elec. ingnition. Again, thanks for all of your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2000 Share Posted December 1, 2000 I wonder if our cars were/are twins...mine had real bad compression too and also had been sitting 25 yrs or so....I went bone stock as far as engine ex. for 56 valvetrain like I had said b4....Your car have the wonderbar radio????<P> don55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piche582 Posted December 1, 2000 Share Posted December 1, 2000 Vintagespeed.com I know carries a variety of new and used parts for nailheads. Also try RPMCat.com, you can sometimes find nailhead stuff there also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted December 1, 2000 Share Posted December 1, 2000 To preserve original performance try to get the original cranking compression. Some replacement pistons are less domed; some have the pin placement higher so the piston doesnot go up as far at top dead center. Also be sure there is NO valve seat recession: any recession will increase chamber volumne and lower the compression. Find and use the thin steel head gaskets instead the thick composite ones that are in most gaskets sets. Even stock nail head cams have long duration should be 'degreed'. The 56 cam and lifters will give some increase in performance. The one performance cam I put in a 322 actually gave less power in conservative driving in drive with the dynaflow but really pulled strong in low from 10 to 70 mph. The 55&56 322 was a good runner in stock: 0-60 in 9-10 sec; 1/4=16-17sec; 83-87mph...this is in the century.<BR>Hope this helps<BR>Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 12, 2000 Share Posted December 12, 2000 Thanks Willie,<BR>What kind of pistons would you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted December 13, 2000 Share Posted December 13, 2000 Scott<BR> On pistons the best bet is NOS but those are to find. Consider using the old pistons if they are within specs after cleanup and the cylinders are OK with less than 6 thousands wear. If you use the old pistons the ring end gap and fit in the grooves is critical.<BR> Now i'll tell you what not to buy: Pistons from Terrill Machine and sold by Buick Specialist and others don't have as high a dome as the original....I sent a set back! Pistons from EGGE Machine look good but the wrist pin placement is higher than original...May work OK if you deck the block...I installed a set in my last project and have 125lbs cranking compression instead of the original 160...it runs ok on low octane but just doesn't have the sparkle and zip that I wanted. there are others selling pistons..check them out and GOOD LUCK! <BR>( Has anyone else with a recently rebuilt 322 checked the compression???)<BR>Willie<BR> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2000 Share Posted December 13, 2000 Willie & Scott, thx for the help...Heres a bit of food for thought Scott, the Century was the lighter car with the big engine...the speed demon of sorts for 55...<BR> Thanks for the times/mph Willie, if you have a copy of an old road test, Xerox me one if ya can and send me one...<P> Thx, don55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55Steve Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 All -I am about to have a 56 322 rebuilt with a kit through Kanter.com and installing the 2X4 manifold. I am not really interested in performance. Mostly after the cool look. Assuming it will work in my 55 Special. Lots of good things to think about on this message.Thanks,Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now