engine size? 54 buick special reviera

[nasimius1]

I have a problem with id number on block, if it is a 264 or 322

serial number I can make out on left side (drivers side?) is 11196977 but number on list start with a v and end with -4 etc, (can't really see #s that well because unless reading upside down through a mirror)
head cast # 1166349-6 which match year. Valve covers have "fireball v-8" on them.
Firing order is (12784563)or,
firewall
1 8
7 2
5 6
3 4

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nasimius

 

[TODD]

Nasimius, some other owners of 54-56 models have reported their engine numbers on this site with similar questions. The other cars did not have the V prefix letter or the dashes included in their engine serial numbers.

Ignoring the V and the dashes, your engine shows to be a mid-year 1955 model from a series 70 Roadmaster.

The 54 Special engines could be identified by the final digit of the serial number being a 4 as we have seen. All 54 Specials came from the factory with 264 engines having 2 barrel carbs. There was a cast iron fan drive pulley on the front of the crankshaft on the Specials. The other series cars used a harmonic balancer instead.

Finally, there is a vertical groove 3/8'' wide x 1/8'' deep cast into the Special's engine serial number pad approx. 1-1/4'' to the rear of the pad centerline. The other series cars do not have this groove.