NOOB to SBB life

[lordy611]

As the title says, I am new to Buick engines, so please be gentle.
I have a project vehicle and the 327 SBC that was in it was junk so it came out and I sold it off. I saw an ad for a Nailhead but knew nothing about them, so I did some online research. I am impressed by the reputation that Buick engines enjoy for having more torque than the other brands, so I called the guy. "Sorry, it's sold." Sumb!tch. Went online again, and on a different forum's classified I found a SBB 350 crate engine for sale. I contacted the seller, who tells me this motor was donated to a high school auto shop, but it was never used. It sat for almost 30 years. So I did some soul searching, and decided to go for it, hoping that the fact that it has never run will be a good thing. I'm wondering how far down to take it when I check out the internals. I dont know a lot of engine building, and this will remain fairly stock. Would the carb be OK or will it need a rebuild on general principle?
Thanks for the help.

[tufbuick]

First, welcome to the BPG site.

Secondly, I think you struck gold with that engine.
That motor has definately never been fired up.

Lots of luck with it. Any questions you have will be answered by our SBB 350 crowd as I know we have plenty of guys who have them that frequent this site.

[Smartin]

Welcome to the forums!

The internals look really good. I would prime the oil pump, hook up a gas line and fire it up!

[lordy611]

Would the valve springs have suffered at all by staying in basically the same position or state of compression for decades? Is there anything else that might have developed "flat spots", for lack of a better term, from sitting for so long? Believe me, I would love for this thing to light right up with no ill effects, but so that nothing catastrophic happens, I want to proceed very gently at first. I have never had the occasion, for example, to break in a new cam. I finally have the chance to begin life for a "new" motor, and dont want to do it wrong so that it suffers forever, because it will be me that suffers in the long run.

[gsjohnny]

its a 75 or newer motor by blue color. earlier were red. its better all away around.
i would make sure the cam and lifters are lubricated. pull apart the oil pump and pack it with vaseoline. with engine assemble, you need to prime the oil pump/engine or else you will break it. hd 1/2'' drill and priming tool needed.
i did notice that under the head bolts were washers. wrong, no such thing.
you didnt say the vehicle you were putting it in. 327 is different than a 350. need to know more.

there are some performance parts available for the 350. if you want to go faster, just ask.

[gsjohnny]

Lots of luck with it. Any questions you have will be answered by our SBB 350 crowd as I know we have plenty of guys who have them that frequent this site.[/QUOTE]

definately leaves you out

[lordy611]

its a 75 or newer motor by blue color. earlier were red. its better all away around.
i would make sure the cam and lifters are lubricated. pull apart the oil pump and pack it with vaseoline. with engine assemble, you need to prime the oil pump/engine or else you will break it. hd 1/2'' drill and priming tool needed.
i did notice that under the head bolts were washers. wrong, no such thing.
you didnt say the vehicle you were putting it in. 327 is different than a 350. need to know more.

there are some performance parts available for the 350. if you want to go faster, just ask.

The washers under the head bolts is a bit of a mystery yet. I dont even pickup the engine until the day after tomorrow. To my knowledge, what you see is strictly factory. On the other hand, it has been in the posession of a high school for nearly 30 years, so anything is possible.
I will be putting this engine in my project: a 1951 Willys Jeep panel truck. Pics below are of the 327 that was in it when I got it. Not sure what this thing weighs, so I am looking forward to whatever this SBB and it's low-end torque can deliver.

[Hector]

You struck gold on the engine and the car,that would be a very nice combo and a winner on the "dare to be different" contest.That thing could scream.Welcome to the board!

[gsjohnny]

the intake looks to be a ''nostaglia part''. if you clean it up real pretty and put it on ebay, you could pay for a lot of future stuff. i would save the headers for the 350. you will need new flanges, you probably can make them work.

[opeltwinturbo]

its better all away around.
i would make sure and pack it with vaseoline.

Lordy611: I would be a bit cautious about hooking up with this guy !!!!!

[tufbuick]

Lordy611: I would be a bit cautious about hooking up with this guy !!!!!

He's been known to pack a lot of things with vaseline.

[lordy611]

He's been known to pack a lot of things with vaseline.

Wow...you guys really know how to make a guy feel wanted. Looks like I have plenty of twisted company here.
That old 327 was divided and conquered. All I have left is the set of headers (figured I'd end up with another SBC, but now I'll see what it looks like trying to fit them to the SBB heads. I also kept the TH400 for the same reason, and it looked spotless inside when I pulled the pan. Ideally there will be a 4 speed behind the 350, but that remains to be seen.
I attached a few pics of the 327 inside. Not a pretty picture, so to speak.
Turns out a critter crawled up the header, past the exhaust valve, and set up housekeeping in a cylinder. Two of his buddies joined the party and voila! Trashed bores. What a waste. The previous owner paid a bunch to build that motor, and then let it sit for 10 years. Fortunately I was able to sell the parts for more than I'm paying for the unfired Buick 350, but it will need some stuff too. I am eagerly awaiting the maiden voyage of the Willys with a fresh torquey 350. With your help, I hope to do just that.

[gsjohnny]

1) dont listen to those 2 old farts. one drives tanks and the other carries llama pictures in his race car.

2) that engine is saveable.......when you get a boat, you'll need an anchor.

3) finger leakers dont count

[tufbuick]

Mr. "G" would pack that thumb in some vaseline.
Then there's no tellin' what he'd do with it.

[lordy611]

Mr. "G" would pack that thumb in some vaseline.
Then there's no tellin' what he'd do with it.

If he's anything like some of the guys I work with, he'd put the other thumb in his mouth, then play "switch".
Well, wish me luck. I shove off in about 30 minutes for a 3-1/2 hr ride to pickup the old "new" 350. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.