35Joe Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 Does anyone have any "glory days" info/pics of this Dover N.Y. Drag strip car. The owner parted her out and I later read some posts online that it was under protest because of the history. I have the frozen 1957 364 engine. I cannot yet get her to turn so I can remove the bell housing in order to get her on the engine stand. The spark plugs, 3 Rochesters, Spearco injection, intake, water pump, valley cover etc. all came off without a problem. I loaded her up with MM oil and Mineral Spirits. I would like to flip her over to open the crank for further inspection. Can the stand be safely installed in front of the block. Please advise. Thx. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 what an awesome piece of custom Buick history. Good luck in finding additional history and in getting the nailhead unstuck and running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 @35Joe so what all did you get from the car transmission? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted October 28, 2018 Author Share Posted October 28, 2018 Just the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted October 28, 2018 Share Posted October 28, 2018 12 hours ago, 35Joe said: Just the engine. Would have been interesting in knowing what transmission was used? Original synchromesh???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted October 28, 2018 Author Share Posted October 28, 2018 The torque converter is still on the engine. I read somewhere that there was some sort of "short shifter" in the car. The creator left no rocks unturned. Must have been something to see a car so big and heavy go down the track! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted October 28, 2018 Share Posted October 28, 2018 The ad is still up on Barn Finds. I just Googled "Barn Finds 1957 Buick" and found a picture of it. Clicking on the picture pulled up the ad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted December 3, 2018 Author Share Posted December 3, 2018 Just now realizing I have 1961-66 heads on the 57 block. I bought the "Best Gasket" set. Not sure yet if and what is properly matched up.Good reading material from 2017 about the port matching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted December 3, 2018 Author Share Posted December 3, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 I copied and pasted some info from Russ Martin's website on nailhead heads. From what I read, it just looks like the heads on your engine have bigger exhaust valves. Cylinder Head Info .. The 53 322 heads and pistons are all by themselves, nothing can be upgraded, it was a bad design, best to use the 54-55-56 heads and pistons (re-balance a must). Many 53’s were upgraded that way in the 50’s by the dealers. The 54-55-56 heads all have the same castings but different machining and or valve sizes. Casting #’s do not tell you much. The 264 and 322 share the same heads in the same years.. If you have a 54 264-322 always use the larger 55-56 exhaust valves. If you have a 54-55 322 it is easy to make them into 56 heads with 15 minutes and die grinder, we can supply template with valve purchase from us. The 56 heads were designed for the 322 4″ bore so these mods should NEVER be used on the smaller bore 264 (except the larger exhaust valves). The push rod holes in the 53-54 and early 55 heads are very small so when upgrading to new tube type push rods enlarge those holes to 15/32 for clearance. The mid 55 and later have the larger holes.The 57-58 364 heads are the same as later heads except for smaller exhaust valve heads and shorter valve spring installed height.. One other thing, the coolant sender hole is different size and thread type. All 59-66 364-401-425 heads are the same except the 66 California ones that had A.I.R. holes in the exhaust ports for smog equipment. NEVER machine your heads for larger or taller valve springs, it puts the spring into the push rod hole it will chew up your push rods ! Always check for piston to head clearance, some of the new pistons will hit the combustion chamber with the piston dome top corners opposite the valve reliefs. At best it will knock a little, at worst it will shatter the piston! Read the 15 most Common Mistakes and Boring limits and Upgrades for other head and valve info. If you have the 56-59 GM Torque Master you basically have a 56 Special 322 engine with lots of HD parts including a roller timing chain.. We have a few nos chains left but no sprockets. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted December 6, 2018 Author Share Posted December 6, 2018 (edited) Good stuff! Thank you. update: cylinder bore is stock size. Going 20 over for one scratch in one cylinder crank just needs a polish haven't gotten in heads yet may be the wrong shade paint from Bill Hirsh but it's growing on me. Edited December 6, 2018 by 35Joe (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 Hirsch paint is the correct color. Lookin' good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 (edited) After doing a total engine tear down I couldn’t find a reason why the car went to the graveyard. After reading an article by Russ Martin about how crappy the 57-58 oil pumps are, I took apart mine only to find a sleeve dislodged itself blocking the flow of oil from the pick up! Edited December 9, 2018 by 35Joe (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 On 12/3/2018 at 2:54 AM, 35Joe said: Is that a crack or a shadow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 Wow!!! Shadow (holy smokes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 Drag car with aftermarket air conditioning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 (edited) Suggest an upgrade to 59-61 oil pump(no vac pump to mess with)! Oil filter adapter, same vintage for spin-on, bolt for bolt fit up! Also 322", my 55 Cent engine. Edited December 26, 2018 by Guest (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted December 26, 2018 Author Share Posted December 26, 2018 Awesome setup. I found a 59-61 oil pump and I bought an adapter on eBay that replaces the 57 canister with a spin on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 On 12/5/2018 at 8:21 PM, 35Joe said: Good stuff! Thank you. update: cylinder bore is stock size. Going 20 over for one scratch in one cylinder crank just needs a polish haven't gotten in heads yet may be the wrong shade paint from Bill Hirsh but it's growing on me. The color must have changed because that looks like the Detroit Diesel Alpine Green rattle can color. The original Buick paint color is closer to a blue/ green. It's still green, but darker than what you've got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 10' away with sunglasses corrects that. I am getting many "non Buick people" compliments... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 (edited) Looks like yours??? Edited January 6, 2019 by 35Joe (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 (edited) That engine was painted with rattle can Ford Green, which has generally been accepted as the closest over the counter paint to OEM. If you do a google search for the nailhead engine, there's always two colors of green. The darker color is the correct color. Maybe it's the lighting? If it looks like the darker color in person then it's the correct color. Edited January 6, 2019 by Beemon (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 (edited) Bill Hirsch, stupid expensive! Edited January 7, 2019 by 35Joe (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 2carb40 Greg is helping to marry my 364 with her 4 speed tranny. One step closer to completion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 Thoroughly enjoyable winter project... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Wow! Thats a gorgeous job on your engine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 I too am a fan of yellow zinc plated bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Looks fantastic. Please video first start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35Joe Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 Will do. Thx. still trying to understand and sort out the manual Saginaw Tranny swap. Does anyone have pictured literature on installing the flywheel assy. to the crank? I just can't absorb it. I've been on the phone with Russ at Centerville, and Greg at Buicks4parts several times. 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