Thread: Any Nailhead fans here?

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I don't currently own one, but I've built a few, and I'm a big fan.

I'm looking for a picture of a blown nailhead, front view, for a tattoo I'm working on.

Thanks.

Never built one myself, but think they are one of the prettiest engines made, when dressed out. I was going to build a '60 nailhead for a '33 I had in about 1965. I bought the entire running Buick for $ 100, but before I could tear it down a buddy of mine got married, and needed a car. He begged and begged me to sell him the Buick, but I ended up giving it to him as a wedding gift.

Wish I had that engine now.

Don

Yup, love them old nailheads!!! Got 2 complete engines and some spare parts too go with them.... Don't know of any blown pics, might try a google search for Nailhead Engines and see what comes up...

Always heard the term "nailhead" is that any flat head, just buicks or what?

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

Always heard the term "nailhead" is that any flat head, just buicks or what?

Just V8 Buicks, the ones with the vertical valve covers, circa 1953 to 1966 I think.

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

Always heard the term "nailhead" is that any flat head, just buicks or what?

Nailheads are not flat heads, they are overhead valves. The term nailhead refers to the angle of the valves when the heads are on the engine, a very unique look!!!!!

My ever-deteriorating memory tell me the term "nailhead" came as a result of the head design of the earliest Buick V8 engines.

These engines, with their narrow vertical valve covers, just gotta be the handsomest engines ever made, but the valve size was pretty limited by the design of the heads. The small valves look like nails, hence the nickname "nailhead". In fact we used to hear them referred to as "nail-valve engines" sometimes.

I wish I had one. I don't need one, but that doesn't matter. I wish I had one anyway.

Jim

Yup, got some pics of one in my gallery..Neat engines

Nailheads belong in a vintage rod with no hood . . . or in any vintage Buick.

We need more Buick, Olds, Caddy and Pontiac rods.

I'm beginning to think my next hoodless and fenderless rod might just have a V-10 Ford with 5 downdraft Webers...... Unique is what we seek, but bizarre is what we are!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Just V8 Buicks, the ones with the vertical valve covers, circa 1953 to 1966 I think.

didn't the '51 Lesabre concept car have a nailhead? not that it matters, it was a concept car and that engine didn't appear production until '53, as you said.. but I do know that '67 Riv's were offered with nailheads but after that they had the 430's

Dave,

Funny you should mention it . . . .

Way Kewl, Jack!!!! Had the same on the hood of a sprinter back in mid 70's.... One of the guys had decals made with the car number and that saying.... Sure as heck wish I would have kept one.... Oh well...

i've got a '55 nailhead that was rebuilt 20 years ago, never been run since the rebuild..... just taking up space in my shed..... always been lookin for an old buick to throw it in but if someone makes the right offer who knows

Were nailheads an option or standard. Cause I know a guy that has a junkyard full of old cars and he has several 55,56,57 buicks amongst other things