Hot Rods School me on Buick Nailheads please.

I think you will like the nailhead for your hot rod. These engines are workhorses and are bullet proof. Seems like the guys in Virginia figured this out already.......HA!

 

....Thanks, Jason.

 

Love the truck, hotrodart. Feel free to post up more pictures.

 

You are right, I was thinking they went to the B-O-P with the 400 trans but it was not until the nailhead went away in 67 that update came about. You mentioned the 300 Buick, that was also a great engine, I ran one in my first 65 Skylark over 150K with no problems ever. We are building a 300 for my son's factory 4 speed 65 Sport Wagon with a mild cam and worked over heads.

 

What are options for a manual tranny behind a nailhead? I have a project that may get a nailhead with a 3 speed behind it.
SPark

 

So would a th400 our if a jaguar bolt up to a nailhead?
Or am I reading this wrong ?

The series 3 jag used a th400 just a different case
That would open up a lot of options for us

 

An update: I am now the proud owner of 2 65 Rivieras! One is real Gran Sport; the other was on the way to being a clone car and has all the GS trim and the 2 4s but on a 401 and not 425. But it runs!
Started right up after sitting for two months. Little gas in the tank and some juice in the carb and it was running.
Now, to get them here and really see what I've got.

Maybe I should get Don to come down and help unload.
Maybe Jason, too.

 

264 C.I.D 1954-1955

322 C.I.D 1953-1957

364 C.I.D.1957-1961 .25 taller deck height longer connecting rods Valves increased to 1.875" Intake 1.5" exhaust

401 C.I.D. started 1959

425 C.I.D. 1963-1966

Information from the book-
Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book 1949-1974

 

LM14, sure you can use a standard transmission. What engine and transmission do you have in mind? Bear in mind torque tube issues.

Gary

 

364 uses a different intake they are harder to find speed parts for but I always thought they ran cooler. I have a 364. They are long and heavy but lots of torque and coolness. This is worth taking a look at for more opinions http://centervilleautorepair.com/

 

.........................I have been thinking about taking a ride down your way.

 

Sorry, I don't know anything about Jags

 

I only know for sure Jaguar had a TH400 which was not a BOP bolt pattern and the case pattern ‘resembled’ the nailhead style case. It may, or may not, be the same. I dimly recall reading a discussion of that question somewhere within the past couple of years, but cannot remember the place where I saw it or the conclusion of the discussion. Sorry...I wish I could answer your question one way or the other.

 

I like what you are thinking Don.

I don't know much about them except that they look sweet and I want one. My ultimate dream of my 37 would be a 4x2 or 6x2 401 or 425. I didn't hit the lottery so its still a dream at this point.

 

Don if you don't mind, here are a few pictures I have saved on my phone...

 

^^^^I don't mind at all, Matt, in fact I appreciate them. Thanks for posting them. They do indeed make for a beautiful engine.^^^^.........................Don.

 

From what I could find a 57-64 Buick nailhead
Will bolt up to a 77-90 xjs or xj12 th400
Different things for 53-56 from the bottom bolts and dowels being the same and redrilling the upper bolts to the 53-56 bellhousing being about 1” wider in circumference.
Only reason I mentioned this after hnstray posted is because these jags are a dime a dozen once they need work and can be had cheap
And the internals are the same as any Chevy th400 so nothing out of the ordinary to rebuild

 

The torque convertor and starter ring gear is likely going to be the problem , even if the transmission will bolt up.
Nailheads are hard enougb to mix and match parts amongst themselves.

 

The look of the Nailhead signature straight up valve covers is hard to beat.

Gary

 

If this is accurate for thru '64 nailheads, it seems to me it should also be applicable to the '65/'66 models which, so far as I know, are the same block pattern as the years you mention.

 

Say when and I'm there! id love to have another Rivi! maybe I can talk you out of one......

 

If the bellhousing bolts up, should not be a huge deal to fabricate and adapter and spacer so the torque converter lines up.

The bendstens adapter I have had a simple aluminum spacer for the back of the torque converter and a triangle plate to mount a th350 trans torqu converter to my 322 nailhead ( its a used one so things may have changed or been modified

Just looking at different and more cost effective options here is all.


I’m not saying what I found is 100% fact but it’s been stated on more then one website so take it with a grain of salt I guess

 

I get it , just wish it was easier, and cheaper LOL .

 

There is a good amount of interchangeable parts between the 364 & 401. The 4 bbl intake is not one.
https://www.teambuick.com/reference/nailhead_part_interchange.php

 

building the motors isn't to much of a problem ,it is transmission and flywheel choices that suck , you can buy most
adapters and flywheels to make them all work from bendtsen , but prepare for your wallet to be a 1000.00 lighter !!!!

 

finding manual bell housings and flywheels for the 64-66 401 and 425 is really tough as most of the cars they were used in were luxury cars
I have an Offenhauser adapter to go from 401-425 to narrow case ford . I have been also lucky enough to find 2 flywheels with clutch's

 

The 322 in my 56 Super moves pretty good despite the car being 2 tons + and having the worst automatic transmission in the world behind it. They must be a rocket in a light car with a manual trans.

Also, go to nailheadbuick.com and read. There is a lot of great nailhead info on that page.

 

I will let you know in another year LOL

 

Have a 33 chev 3 window ,
The plan …
401 buick , manual
have a ford 3 speed w od late 70 s
ford 3 speed with electric od 50s
toploader 4 speed 64
toploader 4 spd 67 dual pattern
leaning toward 3 speed with electric overdrive 50s ford

 

I assume the transmissions that came in the cars originally equipped with Nailheads were not great.