Right now I can get a 56 buick engine tranny and rear for a few hundred bucks. I got a few questions. Would it be worth it? How bout speed parts? What ratio would the rear end be, it's from a wagon.
What condition? THe engine is a hotrodder's favorite but that's all the rest is UGH avoidance stuff. What does "a few hundred" mean? $300 or $900 (that's the range of "a few hundred"...) If it's of unknown condition I'd call it a $150 core. Or I'd offer to haul off the rear end and Dynoflush for him free of charge if the engine is included in that deal.
Theye are closed drive shaft so that kind of sucks. You can get 2x4 6x2 3x2 they have bad ass dress up parts for the engine If its a stick its worth quite a bit buick standards are hard to come by. If its a couple hundred bucks for a working engine and tranny get it I would.
the 322 is worth something but yeah the dynaslow is shit!closed driveshaft drivetrain really sucks big time..The Dynaflows always leak at the rear torque ball seal,its a bitch of a job.and the Dynaflow is a slug.. you might find someone who is restoring a Buick and needs spare parts and it would be worth it to that guy....I wouldnt pay more than $600-700 for it all if it runs
Grab the 322 engine. Leave the rest and give the guy a couple hundred bucks. The engine is the only usable part of that drivetrain. Some people may want to use the trans but I wouldn't.
what model was it? special or century? I have a 56 wagon (special) with what is basically a century engine with a trick or two done to it, and it was impressive for being a relativly small motor in a huge ass car.... -J.
Alright, it's a special wagon(being turned into a 2dr wagon). It was a running and driving car but didn't run quite right is what I was told. He's swapping it out for an sbc. And the price would be $300 or less. Thanks for the input so far.
Tons of good speed parts out there for nailheads, both new and vintage. I am not sure but I think the later 364 trannys with open driveline should fit. I had all the scoop on the nailheads when I had a T-bucket with a 61 364 but I don't remember all the specifics on what fits what. The engines do make good torque and have a real beefy bottom end but the valve train geometry really inhibits any use of wild cams.
One last bump and an update. $300 for engine, trans and rear end; or $200 for the engine. Has a brand new 2 barrel on it and I am going to hear it run this weekend. Is this sumbitch worth it? My heart is saying yes.
You'd have to be a dumbass to pass on a running nailhead for $200. Leave the rest of the junk, unless it is backed by the three speed stick. I recently saw one of those sell for around $500. GO FOR IT!
Quick update here. He's switching to leafs in the rear and a 9 inch so... full rear suspension, rear end, I'm gonna pull the engine and trans and keep it as wired and together as possible. Then.... pick up one of the 56 Buicks in the area (4drht roadmaster, 2dr ht special) get some beer and a good weekend and get me a running, driving 56 buick for pretty damn cheap. I have been told that the wheel base is 122 inches on all models, is that right? Do all models use coil springs and trailing arms or just the wagons?
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