Thread: Buick Nailhead

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Ok you GM guys, I have the motor all tanked and mag checked for the Riv. Everything looks good so far. Heads are being done with hardened seats and new valves.

Question 1. This is gonna be my long distance super cruizer, anybody got a clue how much camshaft these things like?? I'm fabbing a set of headers for it, any ideas on tube and collector size?

Question 2. I would like to put EFI on the motor for good driveability, any suggestions on a good throttle body unit and electronics package to use??? Idea #2 was to fab an intake for it and make it a multi-port, again how about electronics??? Been studying a bit on the Holley system, any opinions???

Thanks for the help, and Streets, ain't no way I'm gonna put a chebbie in the Riv!!! I am going to put a Blue Oval in Jackie's Vette, though.

In the day I used to run nailhead Buicks quite a bit. If you can find the specs for the "Export" cam or the "GS" you will be in the ballpark for a road warrior Buick. I learned early that the cam grinders all use small block chevy patterns for most of their grinds. By varying the centerlines and modifying the TDC settings they adapt them to other engines. THESE GRINDS WILL NOT WORK ON A NAILHEAD.

These motors use a lot more duration on the exhaust side and different centerlines. Thats why, back in the day, you could tell when a Buick was around. They had a very distinctive Rump, Rump, Rump sound. Even stock. This was because of the long duration cams needed to evacuate the exhaust from the cylinders. They had such small exhaust valves and long exhaust passage thru the heads.

Back when, I did use Engle and Isky had a good grind. Availability today??

I always used 1 5/8" headers, as that is what the flange kits had.

Can't help on the injection stuff. Mine were all carbed.

55 Roadmassa with 322- 47 merc with 364- 27 "T" with 364- 59 Stude with 401- 59 Ford Escort with 425= Factory Wildcat engine two afb Carters and all the aluminum goodies. 64 Riv.- 65 Wildcat hardtop.

Thanks for the advice, Bob. That sure sounds like some really fine Buick powered machines. I will research some specs on those cams and see if I can match them up with a manufacturer's offerings today. Appreciate the help.

Thanks Tech, very interesting article.