I have a numbers matching 364 with a carter 2 barrell. I can,t find any info that said this engine ever came with a 2 barrell. Help
Re: Tom What year car? The '57-'58 Specials had a 2bbl and '59-'61 LeSabre had the 2 bbl as well. Here is a good link with casting numbers: http://www.teambuick.com/forums/view.php?pg=casting_numbers_nailhead
This is a Roadmaster 4 door hardtop. Engine serial no. is same as VIN. I don't know, could it be an early 58
Most likely thing is that someone swapped the 4 bbl intake out for a 2 bbl intake for better fuel economy. I've seen '57 Centuries that had a 2 bbl on them for that reason. A Roadmaster would have come with a 4 bbl intake, but the serial number is only stamped on the block, not the intake. So you can't have a "numbers matching" intake, just one that has the right casting number and date code.
Thanks for the reply Sean. I also read that the 2 b manifold and the four b manifold are not interchangable because of block height. I guess it dosen,t matter, I,m not racing this car anyway, I was just curious. Thanks again. Tom
The difference in block heights refers to the three different sized blocks for the nailhead. The 264/322, the 364, and the 401/425. The intakes only interchange within those three groups, but each had 2 and 4 bbl intakes. So the 264/322 intakes or the 401/425 intakes won't fit a 364, it's unique.
Sean, is right on.... It is very possible that some one took a 4 bbl carb and manifold off and put a 2 bbl. on .... some people think that a 2 bbl will get better milage.... that was a fairly common idea back in the day.... they forget that unless you ''step down'' on a 4 bbl , it is running on 2 barrels only.... Along at that time if a engine came from the factory with a 2 bbl it was a ''regular gas'' engine and had 9.5 to 1 compression ratio pistons in it.... if it had a 4 bbl carb, it had 10.25 to 1 compression pistons.... so the cr matched the carb.... The car could not have had a engine swap if the engine nos match the body nos.... You can put a 4bbl on by swapping the parts and have it back like it should be.... if I am remembering right , in 57 the 4 bbl cars had 4 port holes in the fenders and the 2 bbl cars had 3....in changing to a 2 bbl , they would not have changed the port holes and would not have changed the pistons....
Let's be honest, one should always change port holes when one changes carbs..........................eh, eh..
Thanks to Sean, doc and buford for all the info. This is my first Buick and I will need a lot of help. My car does have four ports on the fender so I guess I will be looking for a manifold and a carb one of these months. So far, I pulled the engine and trans, had the trans rebuilt by a guy in his late seventies. The engine is apart and the block, heads, and crank are at the machine shop. I stripped the interior and am cleaning and repairing some small rust spots in the floor. very minor considering the cars age. Actual miles are 55 k so its been sitting a long time and needed weatherstripping, so the rain did come in. Carpet was wet, lots of surface rust, but again, not too bad. Only bad spot was tire well in trunk with a hole about 7" in dia.. I'll be glad when I start to put this car back together. One thing, guy that rebuilt the trans said to put 4 or 5 qts of Mobile One in the trans along with trans fluid. He said trans will operate better and last longer. Ever hear about that? Well, I am going to Carlise, Pa at the end of the month, need lots of parts. Don't know where you guys are from, but it a great event. Hope you can go. Again Thanks, Tom
Tom don't let the engine "expert" install hardened valve seats. WE know that you don't need them and never will. Have fun at Carlisle I'll be at Hersey.
Possibly too late. The heads were worked on today. I'll check. Must be a urban myth because everyone says that because of no unleaded gas, you need hardened seats. When you don't know, you pay.o No:
I had a BIG :rant: with the machine shop that I used to use about this and they told me all about what "I don't know" :boring: But when Tom T., Russ, Carmen and some other Nailhead gurus say you don't want/need them then it's set in stone.
Crap no you dont need hardened seats.... the valves would burn before the seats would and the alluminum pistons would fail before the valve seats would... just money throwed to the wind.....:rant: :rant: Btw... the hole at the bottom of the wheel well was put there by the factory to let debris that fell into the well find its way out.... it started out about 1'' in dia. A lot if times people would keep cans of oil in there too and it would keep it from rusting... but sometimes they would rust out bigger....
