This is a presentation by Al and will provide information of his retoration progress to date of his 55 Buick.
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Well after 27 years and some cosmetic restoration over the past two years, it was time to attack the guts of my 1955 Buick Century 4-door hardtop. I decided in the spring of 2011, that this was the year to park the Buick and restore the 322 Nailhead V8 engine, engine compartment and Dynaflow transmission. The project started in late October. The car was given to Robert Decker and his team at It’s About Time Automotive in Rockville.
They started with the removal of the Dynaflow Transmission, which was then sent to County Transmission in Virginia. They have been in business for 40 years and had some guys who remember and worked on these cast iron beasts. Within two weeks the transmission was back at It’s About Time Automotive. The torque converter was completely rebuilt along with the tail-shaft bushing, and driveshaft yoke (all were completely worn out). All the gaskets were replaced and the exterior was painted black, and aluminum for the bell housing.
The disassembly of the engine stared around the first week of November. First finding was an oil pan full of gray sludge. Which led to the discovery of significant wear of the cam (3 lobes worn flat), cam bearings, lifters and main bearings. However, all other vital engine parts were in surprisingly terrific shape, but an entire disassembly was done. Cylinder walls and pistons are perfect and the crank is in great shape as well. Just a cleanup of those parts are needed and a complete ring job is being done as well. The heads, valves, and rocker arms are in remarkable shape. Very happy with the overall shape of the original 322 Nailhead. Timing chain and timing sprocket will also be replaced. The engine block and heads are being sent out this week to be hot tanked so reassembly can start.
Robert was able to track down NOS replacement engine parts (not made in China). I was in the shop when we opened the boxes and it was great to see old AMERICAN part numbers and “Made in America” on everything.
The water pump, fuel/vacuum pump, carburetor, and oil pump have all been rebuilt and are ready for paint and reassembly. The distributor has been rebuilt and is being converter to an electronic ignition system. The exhaust manifolds are ready to be sent out for coating. The intake manifold is cleaned and ready to be sent out for chroming. The original valve covers, spark plug covers, and valley cover will be replaced with finned billet aluminum and the oil bath air cleaner will also be replaced with finned billet aluminum. The original radiator will be sent out and pressure tested. If it can be saved, it will be. If not, it will be replaced with a Walker aluminum radiator. My preference is to keep the original if possible. The oil filter will be converted to a modern spin-on filter.
The entire engine compartment was cleaned when the engine was removed and is currently being sealed, sanded and painted black. The engine block will be painted the original 1955 Buick green.
So that is where we currently stand.
Other projects that will be done include installation of dual exhaust and rebuilding of the stock lever action rear shocks. The rear springs will also be replaced.
Over the next few weeks, I will take more pictures and provide further updates.
-Al Hagovsky
January 13, 2012 - The heads and engine block made it to the machine shop for hot tanking and inspection. Block is fine. However the valves and valve guides now should be replaced. Both were worn beyond saving. So now on the hunt for valves and guides. Engine compartment and other parts are being primed and painted. More to come
They started with the removal of the Dynaflow Transmission, which was then sent to County Transmission in Virginia. They have been in business for 40 years and had some guys who remember and worked on these cast iron beasts. Within two weeks the transmission was back at It’s About Time Automotive. The torque converter was completely rebuilt along with the tail-shaft bushing, and driveshaft yoke (all were completely worn out). All the gaskets were replaced and the exterior was painted black, and aluminum for the bell housing.
The disassembly of the engine stared around the first week of November. First finding was an oil pan full of gray sludge. Which led to the discovery of significant wear of the cam (3 lobes worn flat), cam bearings, lifters and main bearings. However, all other vital engine parts were in surprisingly terrific shape, but an entire disassembly was done. Cylinder walls and pistons are perfect and the crank is in great shape as well. Just a cleanup of those parts are needed and a complete ring job is being done as well. The heads, valves, and rocker arms are in remarkable shape. Very happy with the overall shape of the original 322 Nailhead. Timing chain and timing sprocket will also be replaced. The engine block and heads are being sent out this week to be hot tanked so reassembly can start.
Robert was able to track down NOS replacement engine parts (not made in China). I was in the shop when we opened the boxes and it was great to see old AMERICAN part numbers and “Made in America” on everything.
The water pump, fuel/vacuum pump, carburetor, and oil pump have all been rebuilt and are ready for paint and reassembly. The distributor has been rebuilt and is being converter to an electronic ignition system. The exhaust manifolds are ready to be sent out for coating. The intake manifold is cleaned and ready to be sent out for chroming. The original valve covers, spark plug covers, and valley cover will be replaced with finned billet aluminum and the oil bath air cleaner will also be replaced with finned billet aluminum. The original radiator will be sent out and pressure tested. If it can be saved, it will be. If not, it will be replaced with a Walker aluminum radiator. My preference is to keep the original if possible. The oil filter will be converted to a modern spin-on filter.
The entire engine compartment was cleaned when the engine was removed and is currently being sealed, sanded and painted black. The engine block will be painted the original 1955 Buick green.
So that is where we currently stand.
Other projects that will be done include installation of dual exhaust and rebuilding of the stock lever action rear shocks. The rear springs will also be replaced.
Over the next few weeks, I will take more pictures and provide further updates.
-Al Hagovsky
January 13, 2012 - The heads and engine block made it to the machine shop for hot tanking and inspection. Block is fine. However the valves and valve guides now should be replaced. Both were worn beyond saving. So now on the hunt for valves and guides. Engine compartment and other parts are being primed and painted. More to come
