Canadian 55 Buick Special Engine number ID!

[Hoopz]

HI guys,

Can anyone help me out, I have a Canadian 55 Buick Special 2DR HT, the ownership says it is a 322, however, the 2BBL carb, NON-harmonic front pulley show it to be a 264. The only difference is the size of the bore so I can bolt on shiny stuff for either a 264 or 322 but it would be nice to know without having to take the heads off as the compression is good so there is no need!

SO!

The engine number on both the VIN plate and engine is:
9B159122 (thats a B for BOB after the 9 )
The intake casting is 1167674-2
The head castings are 1166349

Thanks.

Hoopz.

[raycow]

Not sure what you mean by "the ownership says it is a 322". The stamped number pretty well confirms that the engine is original to the car, and it seems highly unlikely that GM would make a mistake as extreme as installing a "wrong" engine at the factory.

The block casting number would be the best way to identify the engine for certain, as the 3/8" bore difference precludes using the same casting for both engines. I have no good reason to assume that Canadian casting numbers are the same as US, but it couldn't hurt to see if your number shows up on this list.
http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference...g_numbers.html

Ray

[Buford26]

9B159122
9 = automatic trans
B = 264 V8 (C = 322 V8)
159122 = sequential number unique to engine (range for 1955 was 142004 to 167000)

54437816764
5 = 1955 model year
4 = Buick
4 = Special
37 = 2-door hardtop (Riviera)
8 = 8 cyclinder engine
16764 = sequential number unique to car (starting at 00001, 1955 Canadian model year production total was 23,762)

Body number 4017 = 4017th model 4437 built for 1955 model year


Paint 556 = solid Lido Green


Trim 618 = sorry, I don't have a source for Canadian trim numbers


You can get the trim information and the individual model production (4437 in this case) from GM of Canada's vintage vehicle service department for a fee:
http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/shopping/parts/vintage

[Hoopz]

Amazing! Thanks so much. Curious, how on earth did you have all this info on Canadian cars? I have been searching for some time, lost count of how many forums I have read on nailheads on there is only ever US info.

Thanks again.

Hoopz

9B159122
9 = automatic trans
B = 264 V8 (C = 322 V8)
159122 = sequential number unique to engine (range for 1955 was 142004 to 167000)

54437816764
5 = 1955 model year
4 = Buick
4 = Special
37 = 2-door hardtop (Riviera)
8 = 8 cyclinder engine
16764 = sequential number unique to car (starting at 00001, 1955 Canadian model year production total was 23,762)

Body number 4017 = 4017th model 4437 built for 1955 model year


Paint 556 = solid Lido Green


Trim 618 = sorry, I don't have a source for Canadian trim numbers


You can get the trim information and the individual model production (4437 in this case) from GM of Canada's vintage vehicle service department for a fee:
http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/shopping/parts/vintage

[Buford26]

Curious, how on earth did you have all this info on Canadian cars? I have been searching for some time, lost count of how many forums I have read on nailheads on there is only ever US info.

I have collected information over the years from sources likes manuals, etc.

[Hoopz]

I have collected information over the years from sources likes manuals, etc.

You should put it all together in a book - I'd buy it - thanks again