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Thread: puttin a small block in a 55 special

  1. #1
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    puttin a small block in a 55 special

    My 322 is locked up tryd evry thing it ran then froz cant find parts for it so gonna put a 327 not sher if it will bolt up or not. Wondering if there is eny universal moter mounts for this eny web sits?

  2. #2

    chevy in a buick

    Maybe it is just me. but if you have a chevy, put in a chevy motor. If you have a ford, put in a ford motor. I would keep your buick a buick. I would fix what you have. If your motor is too far gone I would bet you could find a replacement motor on ebay or an entire car with a good motor.

    All of the fabricated motor mounts, adapters, linkage would most likely add up to more time and money than fixing or replacing what you have. Then when you get done you would have a car that obviously is not original and worth a lot less.

    If you want to build a full out hot rod then fine, I would still install a buick motor. If you love chevy motors so much, sell it and buy a 55' chevy, problem solved. You would then have what a zillion other people have, a chevy.

    Sorry about the rant but seeing chevy small blocks powering everything just because they are cheap is strange. Every car make is cool and unique and special to what it is. I have no problem with someone installing a later model buick motor in a classic buick, as long as it is a buick. A buick was a cut above other cars, why devalue it by installing a chevy motor.

    I would take the motor apart in the car and find out what caused it to lock up, the evaluate your options. Remember you have a BUICK.

    thnaks

    Joe

  3. #3

    im with joe

    I am completly with you Joe.

    There is a replacement 322 on this site.

    but hey its your car not mine do whatever you want and goodluck
    Lou



  4. #4
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    if I could find the parts for it I would keep it all origanal cant find nothin waterpump fulepump carb rebuild kit ect.

  5. #5
    All these parts you mention ARE available, you just need to know where to look. If you weren't so far away I have two 322's to choose from that run. One would need a rebuild the other not.

    Tom T.

  6. #6
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    Keep the 322. I went through this dilema just a short time back too. One of the things that make the Buick unique is the nailhead. Very sought after motor now. All the gear heads are wanting nailheads for their hotrods too. I think you'll start to see more aftermarket parts for these in the not so distant future. Same thing happened with the flathead fords. Couldn't find parts for awhile. Now with their popularity, they have all sorts of aftermarket parts.

    As mentioned.. it would be much easier and most likely cheaper to keep what you have.. Love the looks of a nice detailed nailhead motor.

    Just my 2 cents.

    Thx.

  7. #7
    Look through the "Links" section for suppliers of new parts. Check out Egge, suppliers of high quality obsolete parts.
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  8. #8
    I'm not gonna tell ya you should keep the nailhead, but I'm not gonna tell you to put a SBC in it either. Both have their pros and cons.

    To answer yer question about motor mounts. Nobody really makes "universal" mounts for the swap. But they are relatively easy to fabricate compared to the other LARGE obstacles you will encounter to complete this swap. Have you thought about transmission options, driveshaft, rear end, rear suspension, exhaust routing, master cylinder, etc, etc? All will need your attention to complete the engine "swap". My advice would be to dig a bit deeper on the subject before you decide to ditch the nailhead.

    With that being said : I can understand why you would would wanna put a SBC in it. If you are running the nailhead and yer a good distance from home and just about ANYTHING goes wrong with it, yer pretty much done. Call a tow truck and prepare for a healthy bill. With a SBC, it can be towed to the nearest town and just about any mechanic can get it back on the road for you. The reason I bring this up is that if you are asking about engine mounts, I can only assume you are not a "hardcore" mechanic or fabricator. That is not a "slam" in any way, I'm only pointing out that this would be the least of your worries for this project.

    Now before you guys start goin off on me for not telling him to keep the nailhead, please look at my signature below. I have 2 nailhead powered vehicles so I do have a grasp of the pros of having a nailhead also. BUT, you can not deny the cheap, easy, and reliable HP from a SBC and the fact that you can get parts for them at the nearest auto parts store for pennies on the dollar compared to nailhead parts.

    Just an added note for Redwolf : If you have a 55 Special with the original engine, it's a 264, not a 322. Quickest way to check is the crank pulley (if that is original also). It will be just a pulley, no balancer "ring" at all.
    Last edited by nailheadroadster; 05-12-2008 at 07:41 AM.
    Long live the NAILHEAD!!

    1955 BUICK SPECIAL - 264, 4 BARREL, DYNAFLOW
    1926 MODEL T ROADSTER - '54, 322 & THREE 97'S

    You know how girls are... If they're bein nice to you, they usually have an angle. - Wally Cleaver

  9. #9
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    If you are just looking for places that sell parts, here are a few:

    http://www.oldbuickparts.com/
    http://www.bobsautomobilia.com/
    http://www.buickfarm.com/
    http://www.classicbuicks.com/
    http://www.kanter.com/
    http://www.taperformance.com/
    http://www.egge.com/
    http://www.then-now.com/

    I'm sure one of these places will have what you need.
    __________________
    Sean Smith
    BCA# 42746

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