1952 Buick Special Hot Rod Motor

[Punk1235 1]

I just got a 1952 Buick Special 2 door coupe, and looking to make it into a hot rod. I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for an engine. I was thinking a 427 or bored out 350. I would like at least 400 hp. What would fit nice? By the way it currently has the original straight 8 with auto trans in it if someone wants to talk trade. Thanks.

[Rusty Heaps 96]

Give it a “Hemi”! Nothing quite like a powerful Mopar engine in a Buick!

[Ben Bruce aka First Born 3,620]

10 hours ago, Rusty Heaps said:

Give it a “Hemi”! Nothing quite like a powerful Mopar engine in a Buick!

 

 Wash your mouth out with soap.

 

  Ben

[bhemi 116]

Why not a nailhead or big old 455? A Chevy in a Buick is done all the time. Dare to be different. 

[Tinindian 1,705]

I realize you are not building a dragster but how about straight eight like this but with a proper exhaust header?

[Rusty Heaps 96]

I hope no one took me seriously on my last post. That was a little sarcastic humor. I’m strictly for keeping same brand engines and vehicles, no bastardized cars for me. Punk1235 where are you located? I could possibly use your straight eight. 

[Ben Bruce aka First Born 3,620]

8 minutes ago, Rusty Heaps said:

I hope no one took me seriously on my last post. That was a little sarcastic humor. I’m strictly for keeping same brand engines and vehicles, no bastardized cars for me. Punk1235 where are you located? I could possibly use your straight eight. 

 

 He is in N.C. I believe

 

  Ben

[Rusty Heaps 96]

Let’s see some pics. I’m just over the hills from you. I’m in Tennessee. Same car. Weather permitting, I’m going to a junkyard near here for parts, mostly smalls. There’s a 2 dr sedan that I’m picking from unfortunately the driver side quarter is gone. I need a driver door and quarter behind the wheel well. Also an engine. I’ll look at the quarter panel for passenger side. Although not fully interchangeable, the lower will work for what you need. There are a couple of ‘51 and ‘53 4 drs that I’m robbing parts from, all Specials. Let me know if you need me to look for anything in particular. A pic of one of the 4 doors

Edited May 22, 2020 by Rusty Heaps (see edit history)

[RivNut 3,962]

Not for sale but I thought you might get a kick out of seeing it.  A friend of mine owns it.   Runs on nitro. Woody Gilmore chassis.

 

[RivNut 3,962]

Before my friend bought it from Wayne Ludington, Wayne was filmed at the 2014 Flathead Inline Nationals. You can watch it run on YouTube by searching the event.  You'll be impressed with how the torque of the Buick inline 8 comes on at the end of the run.

[Rusty Heaps 96]

We went to the junkyard today, unfortunately the quarter panel wasn’t much better than what you’ve indicated your car has. 

[mike_chapman 14]

@Tinindian 

 

Thanks for posting images of the article.  Would you be able to say what year/month the issue is?  

[mcdarrunt 201]

Go ahead and start throwing rocks but the IS NO BETTER ENGINE than the LS and (current) LT engines. 300k miles easily, 450hp, AND 20 plus mpg. Their butt ugly looks can be cleaned up and still be a cheaper engine than a 400+ hp small or big block. No rough idle and wife can run kids to soccer and leave idle with the a/c going till game is over. Pic of a 6.2 in a 54 3100 that has the coil covers and a metal Holley efi instead of the factory plastic, Not a swan but not an ugly duckling. They are so belly button now that I put a 4 cam Mercury Marauder engine in my 34 Chevy coupe but that means I don't have the BEST engine.

[gsjohnny 21]

ls or lt is like wearing your underwear forever. no thinking involved. yuk

Edited July 13, 2020 by gsjohnny (see edit history)