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263 Head X-Sections
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Thread: Cylinder head swap

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    Cylinder head swap

    I picked up a rebuilt head for a 263 straight eight. The seller said it was for 51 thru 53. I pulled out my manual when the head was delivered ( my bad, it was a little too late) which said the 52 and the 53 are not interchangeable. The new head is a 52 (I think)
    Does anyone know if this swap can be done...without changing pistons?
    The head will definitely bolt on. The shop manual says “slight changes in the
    shape of all piston heads and cylinder head combustion chambers … Modification
    of the combustion chambers permitted the relocation of spark plugs 5/16” nearer
    the center of the chambers…”
    Does anyone know of any problems I might have in using the earlier head.
    Should I be concerned with loss of HP? The difference from 52 to 53 is 120 to 125. My motor in its current condition is probably well below both #s.
    The car has a 3 speed transmission. Can I increase the compression ratio by using the thinner head gasket?

  2. #2

    Cylinder Head Swap

    Frank, I have attached a chart that has the affective Compression Ratios with different F263 engine and head combinations. I beleive there is no problem using the 1953 head on a 1951-52 block as there are no clearance problems. I think Buick warned that the heads were not interchangable because of the increase in compression that could cause detonation problems with the gasoline of the day. The later Buick parts manuals listed only the 1953 head as a replacement on 1951-1953 engines.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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