NC-car-guy Posted January 21, 2017 Author Share Posted January 21, 2017 Yea well I'm cutting floors out of something else (non buick). The only part that worries me is the inner rocker where it joins the A pillar and under the half B pillar.... without a lift this will be challenging Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Have you considered digging a trench like Willie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 It stays so wet here in winter, that wouldn't work well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 More cutting.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 Carb was full of mud and dead wasps. I forgot to take a photo before I started dumping them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Mud and wasps?!? Amazing where those creatures turn up! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 Cleaned these up with a little dawn.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 Getting floor boards done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 As reference, here's the other car that I should have started with..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 That does look very solid. I am sure you can bring that one back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 (edited) Are the flex plate and back of the crank the same on 1955 and 1956 322s? Edited February 9, 2017 by wndsofchng06 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 (edited) I opened the 322 I planned to "refresh" . Heads looked good, barely noticeable ridge in cylinders (just catches your nail if you hold your finger dead on it), no bent push rods, no sign of water... i did however find one cylinder had a whitish tint (pictured) and the bottoms of a few lifters are pitted, but the cam looks good.... Edited February 9, 2017 by wndsofchng06 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I find it interesting that the coolant passages in the left side of the block ( center positions) are all plugged, while the ones on the right side of the engine are all open. It's been years since I had my 322 heads off. I cannot remember if the head gaskets blocked the flow on these center coolant passages by design, or if they should be open, to flow to the head. Can you tell by the old gaskets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 Yes the gasket did block some of them. And i spent time poking some gunk out of the right side... ha ha. observant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I was wondering if cooing would be more efficient with those holes open, vs closed? I believe the coolant flows into the block then raises up into the head and returns to the radiator. With the mid block holes closed to flow, the coolant in the block can pass to the head via the front and rear port. The front port coolant hardly passes by a single cylinder. The rear port would have coolant passing by 3 cylinders minimum, thus pulling the hottest water to the back corner of the engine and sending the hottest water through the head. I wonder if blocking the front passage but opening enough of the other mid block passages to the head ,so that there was equivalent flow area, would result in additional volume of coolant around the cylinders and some of that hotter water escaping the block earlier, thus removing some engine heat earlier in the process and causing the engine to run cooler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 Hmmmm. Interesting point. Right now I'm panicking over needing a $400 cam. Ugh! 3 of the lifters are clearly worn inward! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 7 hours ago, wndsofchng06 said: Right now I'm panicking over needing a $400 cam. Could you use good parts from the other engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 7 hours ago, wndsofchng06 said: Right now I'm panicking over needing a $400 cam. Could you use good parts from the other engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 6 minutes ago, EmTee said: Could you use good parts from the other engine? I think the cam looks ok, but some of the lifters are starting concave on the bottom. I've read lots of opinions on breaking in new lifters on an old cam. Some say ok as long as you didn't mix the old lifters in, some say cam and lifters should only be replaced as a set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 If there is any wear on cam or lifters, then both should be replaced. Use a 56 cam, lifters and pushrods (cheapest combo). Just changing to 56 lifters and pushrods will get you by for a awhile. The cylinders will need to be measured even with no ridge -- someone may have been in there before. Normal coolant flow: lower radiator hose > water pump > lower block > back of cylinder head > across cylinder head > out front of cylinder head into the crossover manifold > thermostat > upper radiator hose... You would not want any shortcuts through the center...anyhow those center holes were for removal of casting material and there is no corresponding opening in the cylinder head or block that matches. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thanks Willie! I know the 56 pushrods are a different length, I am guessing the lifters are also, so paired, they would be ok to use with the 55 rocker assembly. And yes I will verify measurements before moving forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 If you want some extra lift, you could always throw some 60's aluminum rockers in there, too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 Just want to keep this simple though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 I'm getting my parts from Russ Martin. I am having a machine shop magnaflux the block and heads, and verify all measurements under $150. I am hoping to get by with no machining. They have been very understanding of my nervousness of letting them work on it and did not seem insulted when I told them I will arrange any parts and that I want them to read Russ' tech guide. HA HA HA I'll let them do the reassembly there also. I can focus on other stuff, plus my shop isn't the cleanest! :-) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr. Buick Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Russ will take good care of you... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 7 hours ago, wndsofchng06 said: I'll let them do the reassembly there also. I can focus on other stuff, plus my shop isn't the cleanest! It is about time you learned how to rebuild a nailhead. And unless there is a dusty gale blowing through your shop, bag it between sessions with a contractors trash bag (home depot) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 18 minutes ago, old-tank said: It is about time you learned how to rebuild a nailhead. And unless there is a dusty gale blowing through your shop, bag it between sessions with a contractors trash bag (home depot) Rotflmao! You're too funny! That gives me some motivation though! Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56buickinga Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I went through my nailhead in the drive way. Yes, the same driveway I painted it in too. There is probably a fair amount of dust and gravel in my nailhead and it does ok. The 283 in the Chevy will probably be next though I don't think it'll be as involved. Probably just a gasket kit and paint. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 Yeah if I was building a Chevy small-block where parts are a lot less expensive and easier to get I wouldn't be as worried Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 3 hours ago, wndsofchng06 said: Yeah if I was building a Chevy small-block where parts are a lot less expensive and easier to get I wouldn't be as worried The ONLY problems I have had rebuilding a nailhead was from work done by others: improper machining and/or assembly. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 Got the heads bagged and ready to go to the shop... Took my spare engine apart... d*mn what a mess I bet it will take more than three guesses to tell me what this is (i know).... .. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 What is left of a valve? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 2 minutes ago, jackofalltrades70 said: What is left of a valve? Yes, I've never seen one that bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 Dropped the engine at the shop today.... uhg. needs to bored, guess I'll be ordering a rebuild kit instead of just a cam kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 1 hour ago, wndsofchng06 said: Dropped the engine at the shop today.... uhg. needs to bored, guess I'll be ordering a rebuild kit instead of just a cam kit They say that on all engines...that's how they make money. Unless it is over 0.006 worn it can be honed and a re-ring performed on the original pistons. And replacement pistons are a compromise and will be lower compression. My best running nailhead was done like that over objections of the machine shop even after I showed them the service manual. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 Hmmmm only $200 for bore and hone, but you're scaring me about sub par pistons. I'll wait and see what the actual measurements come back after cleaning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Is that a 322 or 264? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 322 that i pulled from a 55 roadmaster. Its the earlier one with the center oil fill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 So side tracked today and freshened up the engine bay.... i know it's not color correct, but it's the grey i will eventually use in the middle body portion. And yes i painted the little black rubber bits, i will replace them later... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 Started swapping doors today with a better set I had. Forgot how heavy those suckers are! 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