Differences between a 264 and 322 nailhead?

Other than the obvious displacement difference, how different are the 264 and 322? I've got a 264 sitting in the back corner of my garage for the "someday" T Bucket project, and I'm just wondering if I should start hoarding parts or if I should unload it, make some room, and wait for a better motor to pop up. The motor ran when it was pulled from a car that went on to be a demo derby monster (not mine, though). I've got a 350 tranny to bolt to it if I ever buy a transadapter.

Thanks folks!
Jay

 

264 is just a small bore 322. The 53 322 has odd pistons and heads. The 56 4 barrel 322 is the most powerfull and the motors with valley pan oil fill tube have windage tray that will fit all 322/264s.

 

Differences:
- About 50 hp.
- 264 has a 2bbl, while the 322 has a 4bbl carb.
- Different cam
- Different crankshaft / stroke
- Different compression ratio
- Different cylinder bore

 

Cool, thanks guys. So it'll be alright for a little glass T Bucket, right?

I just want to make sure I'm not going to be throwing good money away.

I really just want a functional motor that I can make look nice (speed parts) and will get my ass across town.

Thanks again,
Jay

 

Intakes, headers, cams, distributors....just about everything except pistons will interchange. The crankshaft is the same stroke as a 322; the cubic inch difference is the 3/8 inch smaller bore.

 

"The crankshaft is the same stroke as a 322; the cubic inch difference is the 3/8 inch smaller bore."

Yep, you're 100&#37; correct. Sorry, not sure how I screwed that up........<!-- / message -->

 

The above info is correct, sir.

I have a 55 Special 2 door post with a 264 topped by a 4 barrel and backed by a Dynaflow that moves down the road nicely. No speed demon off the line or anything but I am sure the Dynaslush plays a big part in that.

I also have a 322 out of a 54 topped with three 97's and backed by a 39 toploader in my T roadster that can spin the bias plys without any problems. So, I'm pretty sure the 264 you have should be pretty good for your T if she was running strong when it was pulled out.

Either way, pretty much everything that can dress up a 322 will fit on your 264 so you can easily make it "look nice" and get your "ass across town"

 

56 Special had a 322 with 2 barrel so two barrel doesn't make it a 264 for sure.

 

I'll add a little bit here:
EVERYTHING is the same between a 264 and 322 EXCEPT the block (and pistons), year by year.
A 264 block can NOT be bored out to 322.
Pistons and heads are generally not interchangeable across years...The piston domes were matched to the chambers. '53 is different from '54. '54 is the same as EARLY '55, mid '55 is the same as '56.
264 was a two-year-only engine, found only in the Special in '54 and '55, and only came with a 2bbl carb. I've heard, and talked to a couple owners (via internet) that Canadian Specials had a 322/4bbl in '54 and '55.
'53-early '55 had the oil fill tube in the vally pan, mid-'55 up had the breather caps on the valve covers.
'56 4bbl was the strongest engine. They changed horsepower ratings between the engines, depending on manual or auto trans. Manual trans was rated at less power. My research showed that it was usually done with thicker head gaskets.

Finally, to get rid of the ugly dual-action fuel pump, start hunting a fuel pump for a '57-'59 Chevy big truck. They used 322 Nailheads, a had a conventional (by modern standards) single-action fuel pump. I've found two on ebay, so I can share this tip now!

Two different part numbers for the flywheels for 264 and 322. Finally, the manual trans was also different. 264 had one with a top cover that had 5 bolts and gears made of glass, 322 had a cover with 6 bolts, and innards were a little stouter.

-Brad

 

Awesome info! Thanks a lot!

Now I just have to start saving my pennies.

I'll keep everybody updated, once I start building something.

Thanks again,
Jay

 

The 264 doesn't have harmonic balancer, just a cast(?) pully on the crank. (Judd told me that on the buick web site. He is a wealth of info). I have a 264 in my 55 Special-made- to- look- like- a- Century 2 door hard top. Got stopped one night out of Coleman Tx, going 74 and the car was still looking for the "sweet spot", as the speedo didn't work. The 264 will be great for you, and will dress up killer.