early 322 vs late 322

**straight85t1** · 08-15-2007, 02:49 PM

ok. i hear that the 56 322 nailhead is far better than the early 322. is there a reson for this. some one thrill me.

**theoldguy** · 08-15-2007, 05:29 PM

The 53 322 had a HUGE dome on the piston, and a deep cumbustion chamber. They tended to get a lot of wrist pin noise and they were not really a good design. By 1956, the pistons had a much more sensible shape, and the heads were more like later designed heads.

**jonnycash1** · 08-15-2007, 07:09 PM

So was the 55' the new or later 322?

**straight85t1** · 08-15-2007, 07:45 PM

so what would i have to do to my 53 nailhead to make it as worthy of that from a 56....?

**theoldguy** · 08-16-2007, 06:19 AM

The 55 was better than the 53, but they made some changes in 56 that made that the best of the 322s

The only way you can make a 53 into a 55 -56 is change the pistons and heads.

**straight85t1** · 08-16-2007, 08:47 AM

are the heads from a 55 263 the same as that of a 322. whats the dif between the 263 and the 322...i dont know much bout nailhead so please excuse all the questions. i just bought a 53 buick super off ebay for $500 and it came with a runing nailhead. ill be droping that 322 into my 51 buick special. like every one else. i simply want the best for my girl

thanks jesse

**Tom Gallagher** · 08-18-2007, 01:56 PM

The BIG difference in the '56 is the Exhaust manifolds.

They are a lot larger and were designed to by-pass an obstruction on the drivers side for the purpose of true dual exhaust from the factory.

In '56 dual exhaust was offered for the first time.

The transmission mount and cross beam in the frame was also re-designed with an access hole so the exhaust pipe could pass directly through it and they went straight back.

No Y pipe.

Regards,

Tom Gallagher

**baz** · 11-08-2007, 03:05 PM

ok so how can you tell an early 322 from a late one i have a 55 riv with a 322 i would like to improve the performance a little at the moment it has dual quads progresive linckage that has livened the old girl up a bit getting of the beaten track a bit here so do i have an early clunker or a later cruiser Baz