Thread: Nail head Buick

Tweet

Does anyone know where I can find a nail head Buick and Transmission reasonable? Just starting on a 41 Chevy PU and would like to stay away from SBC if possible.

I would think living in the great State of Tx you would have plenty of old junkyards to dig around in. If not, you must have some decent sized car swap meets where these do show up occasionally, even if you have to drive a bit to get to one. Put a reverse ad in your local Craigslist stating "looking to buy nailhead Buick engine."

I would reconsider the dynaflow transmission though, they are not all that crisp. I would either put an adapter back there to mount a stick setup or a Bendtsens adapter to put a late TH 350 or TH 400.

Be prepared to spend some money on the initial purchase and also in rebuilding it though. Any time you play with an oddball (I mean that in the sense of being different than a sbc or sbf) you are going to spend more money. I have a 394 Olds that I rebuilt for some future project and have about $ 3K in just a good rebuild. These Buicks, Olds, and Hemis cost a bit more than most to do but the wow factor is worth it IMO.

Don

Thanks for the info, As an old gear head from the 50s I just want this to be different. Maybe a 460 Ford in a Chevy what do think?

Nah, the nailhead would be much cooler. I like 460 Fords and have one myself, but they look too modern for a neat rod like yours. Nailheads are out there but have become popular so you will probably have to spend a few bucks to score one. Also, make sure you do the normal used motor check over when you find one. After all, it will be almost 50 years old so you will want to make sure it spins over and is rebuildable.

You'll find one, especially living in a great car State like Tx.

Don

Can't you see the look on the faces of the SBC people if they saw a ford in a Chevy.

Bill H.

go with the 65 66 block it has the olds,buick,pontiac bolt bell housin all work with all the later trans manual and auto.that way you can have a modern trans.

Originally Posted by hotrodstude

go with the 65 66 block it has the olds,buick,pontiac bolt bell housin all work with all the later trans manual and auto.that way you can have a modern trans.

True words of wisdom, the earlier blocks are set up for the DynaFlow and need some serious adaptation to use a more modern transmission. I do not have specifics on this but a friend of mine is trying to use a T400 with a 59 nailhead and it is giving him fits. I believe the starter is even on the opposite side.

Pat

yep 65/66 on the nail head the last one i did the guy had 3500. in it with just a rebuild no hot parts all new parts new rocker shafts .T/A ss valves .TA abjustble push rods , esron re grind cam . re built rocker arms . arp rod bolts.packer pistons .felpro gaskets.he had the engine so whats the going rate of a nail head ? could push the price of the rebuild past 4000 EZ .the ford 460 is a ez engine to build big if you want .but with a 10.300 deck block it may be abit hard to fit in there .

My dad has one in his 39 Lincoln Zephyr. Put it in back in 75. Was out of a 65 Riverea. Is a great,Beautiful engine! Go with the cool engine.

I was just at Speedway Auto Salvage in St Louis today and there was a complete nailhead in a mid 60's full size Buick.