Projects Introduction and advice for 1956 Buick Century Wagon

Hey gearheads,
I'm still figuring out how the HAMB is setup but wanted to introduce myself and seek some advice on a new to me 1956 Buick Century Wagon. My name is Jeff Buick (yes, real last name) and I've been wanting to get an older Buick wagon for a while. I finally pulled the trigger on what looks like a very solid project but the original 322 Nailhead engine is disassembled and looks like it was stored in a swamp. Also, I am very partial to manual transmissions so I am probably going to pull the Dynaflow out of it. I know I have a lot of work cut out for me and will have to convert the torque tube but does anyone have a recommendation on a good engine/manual trans package that may fit reasonably well? Would it be sacrilegious for me to put a Ford 302 or 351 in a Buick wagon with a T-5 trans? I'm more familiar with the Ford engines than the Chevy 306/350 but maybe a Chevy engine would be a more natural swap. The original 322 would need a full rebuild and then I would have to adapt a manual trans to it which is why I'm looking for easier alternatives. I'm near Detroit and it would be fairly easy to find a running Ford or Chevy engine complete with a manual trans for $1000-1500 which would be much more affordable. Thoughts? Has anyone done a similar swap and have any advice?
Many thanks!
-Jeff Buick
-Detroit, MI

 

I've seen several of these Buicks with SBC's and four speeds. There's one for sale right now as we speak on the HAMB Classifieds for sale.

Gary

 

See if you can get a hold of Bruce Fisher here on the hamb , he has one of those . Maybe he can help steer you in the right direction.

 

Bruce Fisher is the go to guy here on the HAMB for Buick and Olds wagon puzzles. He's a great source of GM knowledge.

 

Hey guys thanks!!!!! I dont know if you guys remember this day. MAN, i was drinkin early that day.lol.Bruce.

 

Welcome Jeff. Don't go discarding that nailhead just yet, put it aside for now. My preference would be a late model Buick like a 430 or 455 and a 4 speed. How about some pictures of the wagon?

Pat

 

I'm a Buick in a Buick and Ford in a Ford type a guy myself. I like the Buick 350/455 idea if the original nail Head is out of the question. But hey it's your ride do what you wanna do! Joe

 

A 340 or 350 Buick V8, from '66 up would be my recommendation for your consideration. Easy found, and the BOP (Buick-Olds-Pontiac) bell housings for either GM manual shift or automatic trans are bolt-ons.

If you are into big cubic inch engines (me, not so much) the Buick 455 is one of the best. They also share the BOP block bolt pattern so trans options are the same as above.

Raty

 

Thanks for the info guys! I haven't even seen the vehicle in person yet so I'll have to fully****ess everything when it gets here. The main thing for me was a solid body/frame and this project seems to have that (and my wife and kids like it!). I want to make it a nice family driver so I plan on upgrading to disc brakes, shoulder belts, and a more reliable engine/trans. I'll post some more pictures when I get it home and cleaned up.
Thanks!
-Jeff Buick
-Detoit, MI

 

Car looks good in the pictures Jeff good luck and keep us posted! Joe