50's Caddy or nailhead, which engine do you exalt?

[Spitfire1776]

My ongoing debate about which heart to put in the Jimmy, has led me to some wondering. Which do you prefer and why?

And before I'm flooded with "Put an SBC in it...", I'm trying to keep it all decade specific, and this isn't being used for my decision making. Just curious. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[AHotRod]

Nailhead http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Scotch]

I also say Nailhead, and it's not just because I dig Buicks. Visually, it's a better looking engine, and has unique features (like the exhaust port layout and the vertical valve covers) that really look great in a rod. There seems to be several options out there for carburetion (not so for the Caddy) and the only performance part not offered is adjustable rocker arms (someone needs to start making them). Anyway- from a visual standpoint and due to the slightly better parts availability, not to mention the performance history (greater than the Caddy, if nothing else...thank TV Tommy!!), the Nailhead gets my vote.

Scotch~!

[suedesled]

NAILHEAD! for horsepower and torque there is no substitute. performance parts are available for it more and more everyday. Of course this is what I do. Currently building a blown alky nailhead.

[Spitfire1776]

I admit I am starting to lead more towards a nailhead for many of the reasons you said. The reason I was concerning my self with a Caddy goes back to when I was 19, I saw a GMC with a Caddy and fell in with the idea. Before I could go back and get it, it was gone. Step ahead 9 years, I got a Jimmy with the idea of that caddy stuck in my head. But I'll be damned if I didn't start looking at the nailhead more and more, and comparatively its winning out over my youthful recollection.

Fortuantely the lady I rent my barn off has a '55 Super 88 just sitting in one of the other barns. I was going to offer to take it off her hands.

[Cheater Casey]

Nailhead!

[zman]

Nailheads suck, and all the parts are crap. Just send them my way and I'll dispose of them for you. No sense in ruining a good truck. PM me and I'll give you the address to ship all the Nailheads to....... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Rusty]

Go with the Caddy. The ole nailhead is cool but is starting to be to common. Be different then everyone else. You have both so run the Caddy for a while if you don't like it than change it later. Good luck.

[Spitfire1776]

Oh I don't have the caddy, the trucks still got the straight six. I shoulda been clearer on that. Its starting as a clean slate.

[DrJ]

I think the OLDSMOBILE ROCKET is the best looking early OHV V8 engine, and I still remember the J2 with the three carbs my uncle put in his 50 Chevy pickup way back when...
But beyond looks if it's going to be either the Cad or Buick, go with the Cad and a Hydramatic rather than the Buick and Dynaflush.

[ChuckleHead_Al]

NAILHEAD homie, you can't go wrong..

[Spitfire1776]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the OLDSMOBILE ROCKET is the best looking early OHV V8 engine, and I still remember the J2 with the three carbs my uncle put in his 50 Chevy pickup way back when...
But beyond looks if it's going to be either the Cad or Buick, go with the Cad and a Hydramatic rather than the Buick and Dynaflush.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hell yeah the Rocket is a pretty piece indeed. It lags behind in availibility to the other two, but if I ran across a good option, it might just have to find a new home .

I'm going for a standard tranny. I like switching gears too much. A fluid drive is enough automatic for me. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[el Roach]

I picked up a 59 Caddy 390 recently and if you want to run a manual tranny, you HAVE to get some sort of adapter. Check the horsepower and torque specs on them....tits! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[jerry]

why not a 302 jimmy motor?

outran the early v-8's!


jerry

[Spitfire1776]

Shhhhh, I was thinking about trading the jimmy motor to a guy for flattie, but have since rethought that. The Jimmy's going in my T frame (with adeqate bracing of course).

[Turbopackman]

1956 374cid Packard V8, hands down (good luck finding parts, though)

Eric