I have a 57 Special. I think it has a 364 in it. I want to restore the car but customize it a little. When done, I plan on driving this car, allot. Are these engine reliable? Can they produce lots of horsepower?
Just trying to get all the info I can before starting this project. Thanks......

I think it has a 364 in it.

measure the distant between the two front bolts in the intake and then compare it too the measurements at the bottom of this page:
http://www.teambuick.com/forums/view.php?pg=casting_numbers_nailhead



Are these engine reliable?

usually, the Nailhead guys say these engines are much more structurally sound than the later, more famous big block Buicks.

and then there were the Massachusetts drag racers who spun a 322ci to 10,000rpm....



Can they produce lots of horsepower?

normally they are considered rev limited due to the small valves and constrictive heads. no revs means little hp, there's no way around that. they've always been notorious for torque though, and that's really what you want on the street.

this is applied to the 401 / 425 though, which are by far the most popular Nailheads.

would a 364 be closer in rev limitation to a 401 or a 322? i have no idea. if you could get the 364 to pull to even 7,000 you should be able to dyno a decent hp number.

With my Adjustable, Variable Ratio Roller Tip Rocker Arms 7K RPM's are not a problem as long as the nec. upgrades are made to be able to accomplish the rise in RPM's. Even being limited to 5K RPM's they will provide a NOTICEABLE performance improvement.

Tom T.