Technical NAILHEAD I. D.

May buy a 41 Merc with a Buick nailhead motor. Don't want the car but lookin' at the motor. How do i tell what year, size?

 

Ask?

 

But seriously, intakes.are.different sizes through the years , in the width . See if I can find that info .

 

You could start with a pic.

 

The owner doesn't know

 

can you look at the engine, and take pictures?

 

Here is a quick way to at least find out what family it is in. From the Centerville website;
"OK so you want to know what size the engine is quickly? measure across the intake manifold bolts from left to right on bolt centers; 9" is 401-425, 8 5/8" is 364 and 8 1/4" is 264-322".
Go to; for more info
http://centervilleautorepair.com/tech-info/how-to-know-what-sizeyear-nailhead-you-are-looking-at

 

Check these out

http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/nailhead_casting_numbers.html

https://www.teambuick.com/reference/ident_engine.php

 

Another way for reference.