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Buick and Olds Engines

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Southmark, Jan 23, 2013.

  1. Southmark
    Joined: Mar 28, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Southmark
    Member

    Just bought a Buick nailhead and an Olds engine. I believe the Olds is a '53 or a '54 324 CI High performance as it has a 4-bbl manifold. The Buick is either a 264 CI or a 322 CI. Is there a source of information for each of the engines so that I could determine what year they are without a tear down? Thanks for any help.
     
  2. willowbilly3
    Joined: Jun 18, 2004
    Posts: 4,356

    willowbilly3
    Member Emeritus
    from Sturgis

  3. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    If the Buick 4 bbl is original, it's a 322, not a 264..........264 only came with 2 bbl carbs.

    Are you sure it's one or the other? The Buick could be a 364 or 401 for that matter, they all look basically the same.

    Ray
     

  4. Southmark
    Joined: Mar 28, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Southmark
    Member

    The Buick is a 2 bbl. The valve covers have a stamped shield in them. Are there any numbers in the castings that would help give me the year? The engine was professionally rebuilt years (and I do mean years) ago and I pulled one valve cover and everything looks clean and fresh there but I'd like to see if I can pin down the year to get the proper gasket set. I'm sure there is probably some rust in the bore as I haven't turned it over yet. I don't have any real plans for either engine....I just like old engines.

    Thanks for the info on the Olds. Good stuff there. Thanks again.
     
  5. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    If you have an engine number on the Buick, I'll look it up and see if I can pinpoint the year model. I misread the original post and confused the 4 bbl on the Olds with the Buick.

    Ray
     
  6. Southmark
    Joined: Mar 28, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Southmark
    Member

    The Buick block has the number V254I05 stamped in it on the left side of the block. The heads have the numbers 1343840-2 and 1343840-4 cast in them. The block has the number 1343388 1 cast in it. The intake manifold has 1343965-2 cast in it. The motor had newspaper wadded up and stuffed in the exhaust ports and I was able to carefully pull a piece apart and the newspaper was dated January 30, 1961. Obviously rebuilt in 1961 or there about. Under the vlave covers is as clean as a new engine.

    The Olds has the number "3" cast in the heads. Other numbers in the casting on the heads are CHGG2 and 561557 and GM5.

    What a source of information the HAMB is! Thanks.
     
  7. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    Judging from the info in The Standard Catalog of American Cars, your engine should be a 1953 Buick Super 322 cubic inch. 1953 model engine numbers began with the 'V', later years had a different prefix. Also, the Super came with a 2 bbl carb, 8.0-1 compression and the factory rated horsepower was 164. Roadmaster models had 8.5-1 comp ratio, a 4bbl carb and were rated at 188 hp.

    Ray
     
  8. buford26
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 154

    buford26
    Member

    V254I05

    V = V8

    25410 = sequential number unique to engine, range for 1953 is 2,001 to 273,955

    5 = Series 50 (Super)

    The V prefix was used in 1953-1955 to indicate a V8 engine (both the I8 and V8 were built in 1953). After engine number 999999 in 1955 the V prefix was not used (all Buick engines were V8's for 1954-1961). Other than the V prefix, anything that looks like a letter should be read as a number. This V8 engine number scheme was used through 1956. Starting with the 1957 model year the car serial number and the engine serial number were the same.
     
  9. Unless somebody switched the heads onto a different year block, that "3" should indicate that you have a 1953 303ci engine. Last year before the Rocket increased to 324ci
     
  10. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,560

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY


    On the Buick engine, check out the lower crankshaft pulley. If it's not really a balancer, but just a pulley, it's either a 264 or a '53 322.
     
  11. Southmark
    Joined: Mar 28, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Southmark
    Member

    It's not likely that someone switched the heads on the Olds and the Buick has a pulley not a balancer so I believe you guys have pinned them down as both 1953's. The guy I bought them from knew they were early engines but could not remember the year. It took him a week to move enough stuff to get to them. He took over the auto repair business from his father in the '70's and is still in the same building. Still has a few more "freshly rebuilt" engines.

    Thanks to each of you for your help.
     
  12. Southmark
    Joined: Mar 28, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Southmark
    Member

    Didn't think the heads were switched but your comment made me wonder if they weren't switched. Did olds have a 4-bbl available in '53?
     
  13. I believe the 98 and Super 88 cars had 303's equipped with 4bbl carbs.

    I doubt they were swapped out, as those heads aren't as desirable as the later 324ci number '10' heads.
     
  14. 54nomore
    Joined: Nov 5, 2012
    Posts: 137

    54nomore
    Member
    from illinois

    According to my data book (not Olds. specific), 4bbl carbs. were available on the 303 in '52 and'53. Oddly, the cylinder head casting number you posted does not show up in this book and I've found it to be very accurate otherwise.
     
  15. Southmark
    Joined: Mar 28, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Southmark
    Member

    Thanks again, guys.
     

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