Dynaflash8 Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Well guys, I sent a letter to the editor of ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE regarding the Dynaflow story that appeared a couple of issues ago. I disagreed that the 1950 Series 40 Special had Dynaflow offered. I was wrong! I made the assumption based on the fact that the 1950 Special, introduced in about June 1950 still had the 248cid engine, while the 1950 Super had stepped up to the 263cid engine. You what what assumption means, right? Well, I didn't check my chassis parts book before I shot off my mouth. I have been roundly beat about the head and shoulders from readers. So my apology is in order. What I said about insert connecting rod bearings and rods in the 1950 Series 40 being able to be substituted for the old babbit bearing rods remains true. I have no idea why the 248cid engine was continued in the Series 40, but the Series 50 got the new 263cid engine in 1950, but it is what it is. No so-called expert knows everyting off the top of their head and I'm here to tell you, it always pays to check your sources before opening your mouth or using your pen! Earl Beauchamp BCA #55 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Well, Earl, at least you did not run and hide. Some would have done so. 1950 Special was the last 248, I believe. 1950 Super was the first 263. Both available with standard or Dynaflow transmission. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 So did the 248 in 1950 have insert bearings or did it still have babbit? How many years was the 263 made? Would a 263 engine just bolt in my 38 if I ever needed to replace the motor? The 263 had insert bearings but did it have hydraulic lifters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 The EZ way to tell a 263 from a 248 is that the 263 has a vertical rib on each cylinder on the exterior side of the block, and they do have hydraulic lifters. I think the 263 was made 3 years.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 The EZ way to tell a 263 from a 248 is that the 263 has a vertical rib on each cylinder on the exterior side of the block, and they do have hydraulic lifters. I think the 263 was made 3 years.. Almost right. 263 built four years. Yes, 1950 had inserts. 1949, I believe, saw ALL Buick's with inserts. The shop manual indicates all 263s have hydraulic lifters, but have heard some with manual transmission had mechanical. Yes, a 263 will bolt in to your 1938. You would need to transfer the front plate, containing the motor mount, from your engine. Also would need to use the 1938 bell housing or fly wheel housing, whichever you call it. This has the back motor mounts for the 1938. The ribs pont35cp is talking about are on the drivers side. I have read these are to strengthen the block. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daves1940Buick56S Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 My 1953 41D that I had for a while in the early '70s had a standard trans and a 263 without hydraulic lifters. Just a data point. Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 (edited) Almost right. 263 built four years. Yes, 1950 had inserts. 1949, I believe, saw ALL Buick's with inserts. The shop manual indicates all 263s have hydraulic lifters, but have heard some with manual transmission had mechanical. Yes, a 263 will bolt in to your 1938. You would need to transfer the front plate, containing the motor mount, from your engine. Also would need to use the 1938 bell housing or fly wheel housing, whichever you call it. This has the back motor mounts for the 1938. The ribs pont35cp is talking about are on the drivers side. I have read these are to strengthen the block. BenBen if I understand you right there was a 248 engine made in 1950 that had inserts, is that correct? Is the 263 with hydraulics still the same motor mounts and dimensions as the 263 that had solid lifters? Will my bellhousing bolt to the the hydraulic lifter 263 without modifications. I am thinking of trying to find a 263 with hydraulics and rebuilding it for a long term project. Edited December 2, 2015 by LAS VEGAS DAVE (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 The internals of the 263 cid will generally not interchange with 248 cid engines. Some gaskets, the oil pump does, and other bits and pieces,but not the rods, pistons, ect. ...the important parts. And yes, the 1950 Special had the 248 cid and all of the guts interchange with 1j937-1949 248 cid, or at least most all...I'd better be careful and qualify myself there. Always use a 1941-53 oil pump in a 1937-1940 Buick 40-50, and I think (guessing again) it will work in the 1934-1936 Special, or at least the gears and bottom plate. No books here in the motel, only memory. Read what I just wrote in the post-WWII section. Use 1950 rods and insert bearings. Another point is that the water pump and thermostat housing of a 1950 motor is like the later 263 engine and will not interchange backward to 1949 and earlier. Finally thanks for all the kind comments concerning my post about my letter to the editor of Antique Automobile. Earl Beauchamp BCA #55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Ben if I understand you right there was a 248 engine made in 1950 that had inserts, is that correct? Is the 263 with hydraulics still the same motor mounts and dimensions as the 263 that had solid lifters? Will my bellhousing bolt to the the hydraulic lifter 263 without modifications. I am thinking of trying to find a 263 with hydraulics and rebuilding it for a long term project. Dave, yes to the first two questions. I think yes on #3, as well. Please be aware that you will need a 263 from a STANDARD transmission car. The clutch/tranny end of the Dynaflow crankshaft is slightly different. It can be modified. Just be aware of that. Have you ever been on teambuick.com web site? Lots of info on straight there. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 Agree on the crankshaft above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Thanks for the info Ben and I will check out that website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdarrunt Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 Either the engine in my 37 Buick is a 52 263 with smooth sides (no ribs) or a 248 that has been bored 0.125 over because it has 0.030 over 263 pistons in it. Runs cool so doubt it has a big overbore. Have two other 263 engines that do have ribs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest buickguyflint Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 I found it interesting that when they went to inserts for the 248cu that rods were interchangable with babbitted rods on earlier small series as they weigh the same and Buicks could be serviced by changing only the rods needing replacement. Jim 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