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Thread: 1954 Buick Special 264 Nailhead Engine

  1. #1
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    1954 Buick Special 264 Nailhead Engine

    I'm working on a 1954 Buick Special and am having problems getting compression. I need any an all information I can get on valve lifters and holding valves. Installed new cams and lifters and now some valves are hitting the pistons and no compression. I'd appreciate anything anyone knows to do. About got me stumped! Thanks.

  2. #2
    are you certain you've got the cam properly timed with respect to the crank? if you've got the cam preset too many degrees in front of the crank, the piston will be hitting TDC well after the valves have started to open.

    also, when the lifter is on the base circle, every valve closes fully, yes? IF the valves close fully when off of the lobe ramp THEN the only way they should be hitting the piston is if the cam is out of time with the crank. or you've got something stupid like a .750" lift cam.


    the earliest Nailhead chassis manual we have is 1957, which is a 364ci. there should still be many similarities with the 264 / 322. the 364 is a taller deck block with a longer stroke and bigger bore.

    http://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/57_chassis/
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  3. #3
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    1954 Special

    I agree. (your timing may be off).
    I think a leak down( not compression tester) will also give you a clue.

    Did you check your valves while you were in there? Do you have one piece valves? I would definitely change them as they are more prone to failure.

    take care

  4. #4
    If you installed the crank & cam gears with the dots lining up at 6 o'clock & 12 o'clock it's WRONG!!!! If it was installed this way you will now HAVE to remove the heads as it will definitely have some bent valves. The gears are supposed to both be at 3 o'clock & so many teeth apart.


    Tom T.
    Tom Telesco
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