Technical Nailhead ID

Based on these pics can anyone identify this nailhead

 

Forgot to mention that it has a stock 4 barrel jntake

 

Get a hold of Russ Martin, he'll help you: http://nailheadbuick.com/

 

This may help if there is access to the casting numbers on the engine.
http://www.teambuick.com/reference/casting_numbers_nailhead.php

 

Going to go look at the engine in person and see if I can get some better casting numbers. Thanks fellas

 

If I were a betting man I'd say its a 322.

Gary

 

I don't have the numbers handy, but search for the measurements for the intake width. That will get you to 264/322, 364, or 401/425. The casting numbers should help past that point. Since most of the 364-425 were equipped with auto trans, clutch was pretty rare, chances are it is the 264/322 family.

 

Looks like stick. That's pretty rare. If it has a harmonic balancer, it isn't a 264.

 

What do you mean by stick?

 

So I went by the gentlemans house to have a closer look at the nailhead. It has been Stored in his garage for about 10years plus and at one point it did sit outside during a few rains. I pulled some of the plugs, most looked ok except for the ones in the rear of the engine.

 

manual trans... has a flywheel and clutch. Not many of them did and most people search like crazy for the flywheel. They are engine specific, meaning don't put the flywheel from a 264 on a 322, balance is different...

 

Gotcha. Thank you. I guess that stock 4 barrel intake goes for bit of cash too. I wanted to buy the engine I'm afraid that when removing a head , it could be a disaster

 

rusellmm, I removed a 264 flywheel, bell housing, clutch and transmission and installed them on a 322 that was a dynaflow. Never had any problems with any of it. The only real weak link was the small one armed bandit transmission.

Gary

 

Can't tell by the pictures for sure but my guess would be a 54 or early 55 264 that someone stuck a 4 barrel intake off a early 322 on. I am going by the oil fill tubes location , can't see the dist. good enough to see if it is the type with 3 clips the hold it or if it is the 57-74 GM type cap. Also, like BELAIR said, see if it hasa ballancer on the front of the crank. Whatever it is, its a nailhead so it ain't all bad!

 

So, with some further research, it looks like SOME years 264 and 322 had interchangeable flywheels, 53 through 55 322 appears to be different than 56, 53 322 is all on it's own. 53-55 322 appears to POSSIBLY be the same as 54-55 264... these things were nuts for parts fitting but not actually working correctly...

 

Measure width of intake mfld at front bolt holes. 8 3/8 c to c is 264 or 322 ; 8 7/8 is 364: 9 1/8 is 401 or 425. Standard trans, most likely is a 264 or 322. As mentioned above, flywheel is quite rare and valuable. They are expensive to rebuild, but all parts are available. Even if it is a 264, would make a real nostalgic engine for a HAMB friendly rod. You probably gathered that I am partial to nailheads. Got a 322 in my shoebox

 

Early nailheads are great engines.