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364 Buick Nailhead?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by brigrat, Jan 29, 2013.

  1. brigrat
    Joined: Nov 9, 2007
    Posts: 5,615

    brigrat
    Member
    from Wa.St.

    Picked up a supposedly 364 Buick that was said to be a runner. Not trusting to many people I tare it down for inspection. Yep, standing water/rust in the stock bore. Probably needs boring. So my question what can be done to up grade the stock 364 motor, just a bore, a stroker?, or?
    Numbers stamped on block say;
    32034
    4D8023627
    Thanks
     
    Sixhundred sixteen likes this.
  2. bangngears
    Joined: Aug 30, 2007
    Posts: 1,145

    bangngears
    Member
    from ofallon mo

    One good thing about a 364 is if you know of some good used 401 pistons they will make the engine around 385 in that area.Nailheads are a bit pricy to overhaul but worth it.
     
    Sixhundred sixteen likes this.
  3. Isky used to make a pretty good cam shaft for them. I had a 364 in my '58 Roadmaster. An Isky cam and the tune to go with it got me a speeding ticket out on the open road in a state with an open speed law.
     
  4. donut29
    Joined: Mar 6, 2006
    Posts: 1,518

    donut29
    Member
    from canton MI

    Most parts from a 401-425 will work on the 364. There good motors I had one in my sedan. Just remember the intake bolt spacing in 8 3/4 across and it's 364 only
     
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  5. brigrat
    Joined: Nov 9, 2007
    Posts: 5,615

    brigrat
    Member
    from Wa.St.

    Googling I find Buick 364 parts from Falcon Global? Info says not for series 40? whats that mean? Are they selling good stuff or cheap stuff?
     
  6. buford26
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 154

    buford26
    Member

    4D8023627
    4 = Series 40 (Special)
    D = 1957
    8 = built at Arlington, TX
    023627 = sequence number, range for Arlington was 001001 to 030225


    Series 40 = Special = 364, 2bbl carb, 9.5:1, 380 lbs-ft, 250 hp w/ auto trans (8.0:1 w/ manual trans)
    Series 50 = Super = 364, 4 bbl carb, 10.0:1, 400 lbs-ft, 300 hp, auto trans only
    Series 60 = Century = 364, 4 bbl carb, 10.0:1, 400 lbs-ft, 300 hp, auto trans only
    Series 70 = Roadmaster = 364, 4 bbl carb, 10.0:1, 400 lbs-ft, 300 hp, auto trans only
     
  7. brigrat
    Joined: Nov 9, 2007
    Posts: 5,615

    brigrat
    Member
    from Wa.St.

    Great info Sean!
    So is the Series 40 block & heads the same as a Series 50,60,70? If so I could make my 364 250hp. 40 into a 300 hp. 70 by changing pistons, cam and intake?
     
  8. buford26
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 154

    buford26
    Member

    I think just the pistons and intake/carb. The camshaft is the same for all 1957-1958 with auto trans.
     
  9. brigrat
    Joined: Nov 9, 2007
    Posts: 5,615

    brigrat
    Member
    from Wa.St.

    So wonder why they say "except Series 40"?
    Because there 10 to 1 comp?
    BUICK 364 NAILHEAD V-8 PISTON+RING KIT
    Another great vintage listing from the Falcon! This listing is for a set of eight (8) cast aluminum pistons with matching cast piston rings for 1957-61 Buick 364ci V-8 engines; except Series 40 models. P/N PST2008A+50141CP. We ask buyers to specify piston size in the "notes to seller" section of the PayPal payment or through a separate email. Piston specs are as follows:
    • BORE @ STANDARD: 4.125"
    • COMPRESSION DISTANCE: 2.406"
    • PIN DIAMETER: 1.000"
    • COMP. RATIO: 9.5:1/10.5:1 (depending on head configuration)
    • RING LANDS: 5/64"-5/64"-3/16"
     
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  10. zman
    Joined: Apr 2, 2001
    Posts: 16,730

    zman
    Member
    from Garner, NC

    Yep, the Series 40 had lower compression pistons. I have a soft spot for 364's. Sorry Beaner I don't think Isky makes a Nailhead cam anymore. But I prefer Carmen Faso's cams myself.
     
  11. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    There were 4 levels of Buicks back then, the Special, Century, Super and Roadmaster, from cheapest to most expensive. I am guessing 40 is the Special, 50 is the Century, etc.
     
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  12. buford26
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 154

    buford26
    Member

    Perhaps they mean "except 40 series with manual trans" (which would have 8.0:1). There really isn't much difference between 9.5:1 and 10.0:1, especially since the factory numbers were always somewhat optimistic. Plus the ad isn't entirely accurate, because the last year for series 40 (Special) was 1958. For 1959-1961:

    Series 4400 = LeSabre
    Series 4600 = Invicta
    Series 4700 = Electra
    Series 4800 = Electra 225

    Also, there were no manual trans fullsize cars in 1961-1962. The head gasket is the same for all 1957-1958.
     
  13. buford26
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 154

    buford26
    Member


    Series 50 is the Super and Series 60 is the Century.
     
  14. 364 is a good engine, same series as the larger364/401/425 engines. Heads interchange between them. 364 has shorter deck height than 401/425, so intakes are unique to 364. 364 were all dynaslow auto, not the ST400 or switch pitch 400, so you need a crank adapter to run the 400 trans.

    look over at www.v8buick.com for some good info.
     
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  15. poor boy pumpkin
    Joined: Feb 27, 2011
    Posts: 21

    poor boy pumpkin
    Member

    I think the Heads/pistons are the same on all 364s. Hp ratings were more on higher models cause the head gasket was thinner and came with a 4bbl.. They used a steel shim instead to bump the compression that 1/2 point. I had a 56 322 special with a 3spd and it was 9:1. I had the heads milled .060 and used the steel gasket to bump it higher. My other nail now is a 364 a 59 model with shim gaskets so its around "10.5ish". All you can get at the parts store is the thick felpro gaskets. Theyre like .064 compressed thickness witch kills compression. I cant remember where online I ordered my steel shim gaskets but they aint too hard to find. They cost about the same so you might as well use em. As for cams, I ran a solid engle in the 322 it was round 230 dur @ .050 and .470 lift off the top of my head. The 364 is a TA performance hydraulic its 244/234 dur @ .050 and .483 lift. Ive heard the comp thumpr cams sound the part but thats all. Whatever brand you run throw a real cam in it. Theres plenty of torque to run on the street. Good luck.
     
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  16. zman
    Joined: Apr 2, 2001
    Posts: 16,730

    zman
    Member
    from Garner, NC

    Just to clarify 364 is considered it's own series. 264/322 364 401/425 They are classified by deck height.
    There were manual trans 364's.
    Besides the crank bushing you need to open the center hole of the flex plate, you need the later starter, and sometimes need to drill and tap a hole in the block for the starter.

    Pistons were indeed different on the lower compression 57-58 364's
     
  17. You are probably correct but I'll bet if you called that still have blanks and would grind you one. ;)

    Listen fellas if Zman likes a Buick cam it is probably a good cam shaft. If I had a Buick question he would be the first on my list to receive a PM.

    Hey Z,
    I know you could get the special with 3 on the tree, did they offer the manual in any other model?
     
    belair likes this.
  18. zman
    Joined: Apr 2, 2001
    Posts: 16,730

    zman
    Member
    from Garner, NC

    I've seen Century and Super's with the 3 speed, but they seem to be even rarer than the Special which is hen's teeth rare.
     
  19. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    Thanks-there's no logic to reality sometimes. Glad I was just guessing.
     
  20. FiddyFour
    Joined: Dec 31, 2004
    Posts: 9,024

    FiddyFour
    Member

    FWIW, comp makes a couple cams for the 364, as does Schneider... however, all things considered, i'd go with Zman's choice... the man knows nailhead motors :cool:



    he is the buick man, and he's been a wealth of information for me with my "poor mans nailhead" 455 buick... i dunno why they call it poor mans anything, cause 'taint nuttin on, in or around a 455 buick motor that a poor man can afford! :eek: :p
     
    Arabie777 likes this.
  21. buford26
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 154

    buford26
    Member


    There is some logic to it, but you have to go back to 1936 when the Century was introduced and 1940 when the Super was introduced.

    1936
    Series 40/Special = b-body with small I8 engine (233)
    Series 60/Century = b-body with large I8 engine (320)
    Series 80/Roadmaster = c-body with large I8 engine (320)
    Series 90/Limited = d-body with large I8 engine (320)

    1940
    Series 40/Special = b-body with small I8 engine (248)
    Series 50/Super = c-body with small I8 engine (248)
    Series 60/Century = b-body with large I8 engine (320)
    Series 70/Roadmaster = c-body with large I8 engine (320)
    Series 80/Limited = d-body with large I8 engine (320)
    Series 90/Limited = d-body with large I8 engine (320)

    1949 (Ventiports introduced)
    Series 40/Special = b-body with small I8 engine (248)
    Series 50/Super = c-body with small I8 engine (248)
    Series 70/Roadmaster = c-body with large I8 engine (320)

    For 1949-1954, Series 40/50 had three port holes (AKA 3-holer), series 70 had four port holes (AKA 4-holer). When the Century was reintroduced in 1954 it had three port holes.

    1955-1957
    Series 40 - b-body, three port holes
    Series 50 - c-body, four port holes
    Series 60 - b-body, four port holes
    Series 70 - c-body, four port holes

    1958 no port holes

    1959-1961
    Series 4400/LeSabre - b-body, three port holes
    Series 4600/Invicta - b-body, three port holes
    Series 4700/Electra - c-body, four port holes
    Series 4800/Electra 225 - c-body, four port holes
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2013
    Sixhundred sixteen likes this.

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