Looking for a machine shop that can do a proper valve job on a '55 322 nailhead. It has the tell-tale big puff of blue smoke when it's started. The mileage is relatively low so I'm hoping to avoid a complete overhaul, but the car did sit for an extended period of time (in a heated shop). The shops around here don't seem to be aware that Buicks in '55 didn't have Chevy engines or that it must be the same as a Chevy. I'm in North Dakota, but I did take the heads off of my '69 Camaro 327 to Dubuque, IA to have them done about 10 years ago. So I will travel or ship them a reasonable distance.
if it runs good might just need valve seals, can do that with heads on the car any shop should be able to handle that. some did not come with seals on the exhaust valves.
322 didn't come with valve seals at all and if I remember reading comments from nailhead experts, they're not recommended. And it runs great, but so did my Camaro and it was badly in need of a valve job.
Do some research before doing valve work. Here is an example of issues to deal with. Search this sight for info: "New guy building a nailhead" Find a shop that uses high tech tools, not stones to grind valve seats for example.
Gary, can you explain if it just smokes on start up and runs good, then how about a compression check ?, and if that checks out good, could it just be the valve guides are worn ? and if they are worn what would it hurt to put some valve seals on ?
The 322 never had seals. Intake valve guides start sipping a little oil when they get worn a bit. Best to install liners and seals. To install liners and seals, they need to go to a machine shop. Best to install guide liners for the sloppy valves, and then machine the outside diameter of the guides to accept the seals. New seals may not hold up well on worn original guides. Nailhead engines do not like bronze liners, so use iron liners only. Do not remove the original factory guides because they were machined after installation and a whole new one will not center the valve. If you do a valve job, use steel seat cutters with a dial indicator. The old fashioned stones can destroy your vintage heads by digging into the seat beyond all tolerance in a second or two. Ask me how I know.
Go to http://centervilleautorepair.com/ and look at the tech section. Call Matt or Russ and talk to them. Heads are getting scarce. Ray
Thanks Ray. I guess I've already considered talking to Russ. I've bought parts from him in the past. I don't need heads, just need them rebuilt. I might just have to ship the heads to them, if they'll do it.
Jim, IF your going to send the heads out why not just send them to Mike Lewis at Pro-Tech in Fresno, 559-227-4773, as he does most all the porting work for Russ/Matt at Centerville. Mike KNOWS what he's doing. He & I have long discussions about "Nails". Tom T.
More local options - call and discuss if they do it or where they would go if they don't: Memory Lane Auto Restoration 5.0 (6) · Auto restoration service 3+ years in business · Mandan, ND · (701) 390-3179 Dale's Auto Restoration And Performance 3.9 (11) · Auto restoration service 35+ years in business · Bismarck, ND · (701) 258-5336 Timeless Rides & Vintage Restoration 5.0 (2) · Auto body shop 5+ years in business · Bismarck, ND · (701) 222-0633
... and don't let any shop try to talk you into new valve seats unless you have a spare set of known-good heads.
The rebuilt rocker assemblies i installed put out a shower of oil unlike the originals. The valve guides need to be machined for seals which requires removing the heads. Check that the vacuum portion of the fuel pump does not have a hole in the diaphragm...a lot less work than removing cylinder heads.
Wild guess with no evidence: Each of those places subcontracts their machinework. The most-likely place for them to subcontract is John's Machine, Mandan ND. http://johnsmachine.com/
