Nailhead find , what to look for.....

I just found an add in the local trading paper that has a Buick Nailhead 322 engine that you can hear run , and a dynaflow trans , and a rear end , all out of a '56 Buick , the guy wants $600.00 for the motor , and $100.00 a piece for the trans and the rearend , is this a decent deal? , and what do I look for in a nailhead except for good oil pressure , clean oil , no foam in the oil etc.?

 

The law of physics doesn't change in an engine just because it has a Buick or Chev or Ford or Mopar or whoevers brand. Clean oil, good oil pressure and minimal smoke on the exhaust are all good signs. I take it you can start the engine? sometimesI think devioiusly when I see fresh oil in an old engine and wonder if its been added just to sell the engine however good clean oil is a lifeline to any engine. While each brand of engine may have its own little quirks the basics of the internal combustion engine are still the same. If it can be started listen for bearing noise, lifter noise, valve gear noise - it can be hard if its running open pipes however most noises come through regardless - and if you can get the engine warm you will tell more when the oil pressure is hot and thus deduce what the bearings are like. Apply good common sense if you have any engine knowledge.

 

Poorboy Shawn bought a good, running Nailhead on Craigslist here for $500 so I'd say that's in line, same deal, some guy had 'upgraded' his 55 Buick Special and wanted to sell the 'old motor'.

 

you could check the compression on the cylinders, that will tell you a lot ,ray

 

The trans and rear end are probably nothing you would be interested in.

 

...not unless your recipient car has portholes in the fenders. (for when Dyna Flows...)