Engine casting number

[EricV216]

Can anyone identify this engine casting number?  1343388-3.  I’m under the impression it’s either a 55 or 56 322.  I search the lists on team Buick and didn’t see this number.
 

[1953mack]

Do you have a hole in your block

 

 

casting like this?

 

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by 1953mack (see edit history)

[EricV216]

Yes.  Driver side rear of block.  

[1953mack]

Eric,

Thanks for confirming.

-  You have a late-1953 Buick 322 cubic inch V-8 engine block casting number denoted by the "-3" after the original casting number of 1343388.  The higher the number after the original casting number (-1, -2, -3, etc.), the more changes were incorporated since the first one for the year was cast. The 1"x1" access hole for the flywheel's yellow tooth used for ignition timing purposes was a one-year wonder for 1953-1956 Buick V-8 engines.

-  The range for 1953 Buick V-8 Engine Serial Numbers ended close to (V) 274xxx (with either a "5" for SUPER or "7" for ROADMASTER suffix). Would you be willing to share your Engine Serial Number?

Thanks.

 

FYI:  Team Buick is a major contributor to my top-100 ugliest rumor's list when it comes to 1953-1954 Buick Skylarks and 1953-1956 Buick V-8 nailhead engines.

 

 

 

Al Malachowski

BCA #8965

"500 Miles West of Flint"

[EricV216]

Here is the serial number.  

 

Edited October 6, 2023 by EricV216 (see edit history)

[EricV216]

This is my spare 322.  Team Buick shows it’s a 53-56 but I can’t seem to lock down the year.  It does not have the hole in the back of the block.  
 

I also have 2 264’s that I need to part ways with if anyone if interested.  

[1953mack]

-  Your Engine Serial Number (V) 158774 (7) is a June-1953 production number. NOTE:  Buick did not build 7 million Buicks in June-1953 as Team Buick claims.  https://www.teambuick.com/reference/years/53.php

-  1954-1956 Buick V-8 322 cubic inch engines had the same casting number 1165165. Team Buick again, incorrectly lists that casting number to include 1953 322 cubic inch engines. 

-  Your Engine Serial Number (V) 798515 (6) is an early-1955 model production number built in late 1954. The suffix "6" denotes that the engine was originally installed in a 1955 Buick 60-series Century model.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EricV216]

Thanks for this info.  The 55 motor is presumably what came in the car.  The grandson of the original owner (who passed away) I bought it from said his grandfather built up one of the engine with different cams, pistons, heads etc which he was told by his grandfathers friend the week I bought the car.  They said the engine that was “built” had an X on the back of the engine which the 53 motor has casted near the casting number.  Im going to have to look over the motor more to try and figure out what was changed.  I know it has 55 heads and intake manifold, 56 exhaust manifolds, and later water manifold (not 56).  

[EricV216]

1953mack i have two more for you to confirm if you will.  Here is one of them. 
 

I believe it is a 54-55 264. 

[1953mack]

-  Casting number 1165752 = 1954-1955 Buick SPECIAL 40-series V-8 264 c.i. engine blocks.

-  Your Engine Serial Number 1431171 (4) is a late-1955 Buick SPECIAL number and is close to the last Buick 264 c.i. engine built.

-  The range for 1954 Buick E.S.Ns. = 273956 thru 720079.

-  The range for 1955 Buick E.S.Ns. = 720080 thru 1460022.

-  The "V" prefix was not used after E.S.N. 999999.