Nailhead interchangeability

[recycler]

Hey guys, haven't been on here in ages.Good to be back Got married, sold house, bought new one etc etc. Anyway. I am buying a 56 Buick special with a 322 and a dyna flow trans. What I'm wondering is if I can install a 401 or 425 without changing the tranny. What are my simple/cheap options?

[choprods]

No the 425 will not fit you 56 trans/aint the 400 and open drive as well?[56 closed drive tourque tube]-I think the only fitment is 1954 thru 1956.after that there are two other variations?

[Fraz]

64 is the 1st year of the TH400 for nailheads. Everything else is dynaflow. 57 they changed the block bolt pattern. 57 to 63 can run 64-66 trans with a little work.

60 was the last year of enclosed driveline. 61-63 were open driveline dynaflows.

Just got my nailhead-pattern TH400 case in today, so I can get the open drive swap on my 60 LeSabre rolling.

[recycler]

Thanks guys. So my options are rebuild the 322 or swap in a 425/T400 and convert to open driveline. To convert the driveline do I have to change the rearend as well or can a yolk be installed?

[Fraz]

Know of a HAMBer that changed his 55 over to open driveline and used the old rear. Showed pics and everything. Someone else has em, hopefully they'll post em.

[kustombuilder]

SPAM ALLERT---- check out the classifieds. i just listed a 400 trans for nailhead----END SPAM

[TagMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Know of a HAMBer that changed his 55 over to open driveline and used the old rear. Showed pics and everything. Someone else has em, hopefully they'll post em.


[/ QUOTE ]

That "someone" was me.
I used the original axle with ladder bars, but the axle developed cracks from the stress of the ladder bars & the "radius rods" from the original torque tube - way too stiff. I'm now in the process of re-engineering the whole thing and hope to have it redesigned & installed by Thanksgiving. You can check out my original install & ass - chewing here:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=138667&Forum=A ll_Forums&Words=ladder%20bar%20brackets&Match=Enti re%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=3months&Main =136661&Search=true#Post138667

[Fraz]

Sorry TagMan, I will remember next time.

[recycler]

Thank you very much guys. Doesn't anyone make an adapter to bolt the 425 to the '56 Dynaflow?

[GreggAz]

ok now... everybody keeps telling me that the bellhousing pattern was changed in 57... I dont think it was...(I WAS WRONG!!!)
the bellhousing was changed dramatically!


What I am doing NOW...
54 buick... stock 54 Dynaflow, 264 in the junkpile.
installing a 57 364 I am going to use the tailshaft from the 54 on the 57 trans... I can take pictures if you would like.

I also have an early 401 (62 or so)

SO... you CAN put an early 401 on a dynaflow in your car... , build a frankenstein dynaflow the get the best of both worlds... I can tell ya how to switch your 55 tailshaft and mounts onto a late switch pitch dynaflow, to get the best in the car.