Technical Later Buick nailheads???

Question for nailhead experts. I've got a customer whose got a later nailhead engine in his Skylark. He claims that others say it is NOT a nailhead. It does have valve covers that are straight up, and a distributor in the front, which is supposed to be the defining point that it is NOT! So is it? Or no? If not, what are the major differences? Can he use a regular nailhead 4 bbl intake? He tried getting a Pertronix for it, but it didn't fit, and Pertronix said it doesn't have an application for this particular engine.
Sounds like it's an oddball intermediate engine, that doesn't belong to any family.

 

It's probably a 300/340, which is a Buick small-block. It has Nailhead-like valve covers, but has nothing in common with a Nailhead. I have a '65 Skylark with a 300, and I'm running a Pertronix in it...no problem finding one to fit. It just has a basic Delco points distributor.

The 300 has its own intake manifold too...the only 4-barrel manifolds are an aluminum one in '64 and an iron one in '65. The 340 had a wider intake and a taller deck.

 

Well, pics or it’s a Dodge Chevy or Hudson Measure the front intake bolt hole from right across to left will tell you the series. You say it’s straight up, then he needs to measure is a quick way.

 

I was going to suggest the 300/340 as well , but one pic would help.

 

Not a nailhead even though the valve covers look like it. That is the later thin wall casted engines which the V6 was derived from. Depending on the year it could be a 215 (aluminum block and heads), 300 cast iron block (64 had aluminum heads and intake), or a 340. The 300 & 340 have the BOP bellhousing pattern. 215 intakes only fit 215 and Rover engines, 300 intakes only fit 300’s and 340 intakes only fit 340’s.


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Here's a 340 out of a Skylark

 

Here's a 300 out of a Skylark

 

We just yanked it out yesterday, looks like a stripped timing gear. Just wondering if it's worth keeping, or changing it. If it's too difficult to get stock or hot rod parts for, it may wind up getting tossed.
Thank you all for your help!

 

http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductId=955

 

They’re good engines, cams are shared with the 215 and Rover engines which have a strong following. No aftermarket intakes for 300 or 340 have to look for a factory Four barrel intake.


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Intake manifold info.
http://www.teambuick.com/community/...00-engine-convert-2-barrel-to-4-barrel.25304/

 

I wouldn’t toss it. If I remember correctly the heads and internal organs are scarce and desired by the folks who hot rod little Buicks. The 340 crank is used to stroke the 215 for instance. So do the little Buick crowd a favor and list it for sale somewhere don’t scrap it.


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Cam gear just about completely stripped of it's plastic covering, You could turn the crank and not the cam. Rest of the engine looks very nice, though! No ridge, bearings look perfect. He's going to keep it!

 

Good choice...Buick 300/340s aren't flashy, but they look nice and run well.