...there's 2 different motors...right? ...small 248 for the Special, and the big 320 for the Roadmaster...right? Which motor did the factory 2x2 setup come on,...the 320? ...and, does the intake interchange between motors? Thanks
Yes, there are 2 different intakes, the smaller one won't fit the bigger one...(obviously, boy am I an idiot ) there was a post about this in the last couple weeks, try a search for it. Jay
...thanks Rocket, I did a search and found it. I missed that whole thread the first time around. So, am I to understand that if my intake is setup for 3-bolt base carbs, that it's for the small 248/263 motor?
I think I was the one that started the other thread a couple weeks back, but who knows? If you found one, chances are it's for the 320. I That was a fairly common factory setup for the 320 motors. The duece set ups were only installed on the 248s back in 1940 and 1941 ONLY. Obviously, since it was only those 2 years for the smaller motor, they're pretty rare. I think all the carbs prior to 1950 had the 2x1 throttle body bolt pattern regardless of the engine size, so I don't think that you'll be able to tell what motor it fits based off that. If it were a 2x2 pattern it would be a 320 for sure. The only other thing I can suggest is to try and post a message on Buicks.net with a casting number (if you can find one). Someone on there can probably lead you down the right path.
Okay look - here's the deal: ALL the factory dual-carb intakes are for the "big-block" 320ci Buick engine, which we see in the popular late-40s/early '50s Roadmasters (top of the line huge *** Buicks). The "twin power" deal was only on the big motors, and all the aftermarket Buick Straight 8 hot rod parts I've ever seen were also for the 320. They made the 320 from the mid-'30s through the early '50s, and there was plenty of them out there. The "small-block" straight 8s (248 and 263ci) were only offered from '49-'52 in the smaller, sportier cars like the Specials and Supers, and they did not generate any aftermarket interest. There is no factory dual carb setups or cool aftermarket stuff for these engines. If you want cool stuff, you have to make it. Luckily, it's not hard to engineer such goodies for a straight 8, since the mounting surface is flat and accessible. Also, the intake ports are siamesed, so you've only got four intake ports feeding 8 cylinders, which makes fabrication that much easier. So, bottom line...if you find Buick Straight 8 speed parts, they're probably for the 320 and they probably won't work on any 248/263. If you do find any 248/263 stuff, let me know. I've never seen a single m***-produced speed part specifically designed for 248/263 engines.
Not to step on your toes or anything there Scotch , but the 248 motors were actually introduced in 1937 and were continuously built until the introduction of the larger (of the smaller motors) 263 in 1950. And there actually was a duel factory set up in 1940 and 1941 for the Special Series 248 motors. I know this to be fact, because I've seen these setups on Specials and they look almost identical to their larger counter parts. You are correct about the speed part manufacturers, though. I know that Edmunds made a duel intake for the 320 only, and I've heard that Offy did too. I've never seen anything aftermarket for the 248/263s. Trust me.....I've got a 263 in my 52, and I've looked. In all honesty, they were ****ty set ups from the factory and they probably brought about mild HP increases at best, especially for the 248 engine. They do look cool as hell though. Cool enough to spend 400 - 600 bones on? Depends on how bad you want them, I guess.
Check out this site. They sell NOS and used Buick parts. They have a 41 thru 42 Special/Super dual carb setup (I'm guessing that includes both the intake and exhaust plus the carbs?) for $825 bucks. http://www.oldbuickparts.com/nos/52parts.htm
Thanks guys,...alotta good info there. Other than physically trying to bolt it on to a head, or trying to run casting numbers, is there any way to "visually" tell, if the intake is for a small motor, or the 320?
Sorry G***er....I think you're SOL. The only other "easy" thing you could do is measure your intake, or the mounting holes in the head if you don't currently have an intake, and compare to the flanges on the intake in question. Other than that, I can't really think of a way to just look at it and be able to tell. Another thing you might be able to do, and I'm not 100% sure on this one, is check out the carbs that are on the dual setup you want (if they're still on there). The factory set up was 2 barrel on the smaller guys and 4 barrel on the larger. Now, again, I'm not 100% on that one. They might have only used 2 barrel carbs on ALL the dual set ups, regardless of engine size, and 4 barrel on the single stock set up for the 320s. One thing is certain though.....if it's factory and it has 4 barrel carbs on it, it's for the larger motor.
What a bunch of confusing ********. Yes the 248's were used from '37 thru '51. 263's from '50 w/dynaflow thru '53. All 1941 Super (248) Century and Roadmaster (320) had dual 2 bbl carb setups and for the Specials they were optional, either from the factory or dealer installed, called SSE if factory equipped. Ditto for 1942. None of the dual setups were 4 bbl...a single 4 bbl was used one year only on '52 Roadmaster 320's. There are aftermarket dual manifolds available for both, Edmunds being the brand I have seen most. As for telling them apart, there is a 4" difference in the length of a 248/263 and a 320. That ought to be pretty obvious or easily detected, especially if you have either of them to measure for manifold length. Ray
This link lists the various carburetors used on the "compound carburetion": http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Kbuick2.htm Note that both Stromberg and Carter carburetors were used; and that there were some early and late production with different numbers. Jon.
In the for whats its worth category, Stomberg built a dual 1-barrel system for Buick several years earlier; however, it never reached production. Jon.
wow a 6 year old thread i wonder if the guy figured out what fits what , the 248 came 2 years with a compound carb set up and split exhaust manifolds , it will swap onto a 263 , check on buicks.net straight eight board they are a great source of info a dude named jerky has hopped one up pretty cool
I can vouch for the 248 intake/exhaust on a 263 as I did this setup in my 53 Special when it ran a straight 8. I used Holley 94 carbs on it as a direct bolt on, ran decent, sounded great with full duals and gl*** packs too.. Never had any issues with it while I ran it either..
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