Getting there, I hope you kept the old motor as someone might need a baby nailhead for their project.
How it sits now. Pretty happy with how it’s turning out!! Boot floor, wiring, Fuel & brake plumbing, shifter install & dynamat etc up next Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Yeah mate just gave em a little tweak not running drop spindles now either Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
More Buick spam!! Apologies but I’m just loving the new tyres. Almost looks like a complete car again! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Great car and a great build! Very well done! I just noticed you decided to skip the rubber motor mounts, and welded tabs to the crossmember. Won‘t that transfer quite some vibrations and noises into the rest of the car? I know nailheads usually run pretty smooth so maybe it‘s most likely no problem . I just wondered what was the reason for skipping them...
Sorry mate I’ll post some pics today. There’s some rubber mounts in there!! I made engine mounts, gearbox mount & 4 link all share the same bush Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Ahh, Isee, ok the rubber bushing sits inside... ok , I was looking for the big factory chunck of rubber. Thanks for answering! Now go get her on the road, hahaha
I just came across this build! I love what you are doing with the car. We have a 57 Super that we have hopes of building someday. Your fabrication skills are far above mine at the current but your build will be very helpful for the future. A big thank you from Bakersfield California!!! I’m officially subscribed! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thank you. They are not as popular as other cars but I think they are a great example of GM styling of that era for sure! It has the 364 in the engine bay and it came with a 425 in the trunk (one of the reasons I got it) Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Awesome updates, after doing a bunch more research I still like your rear notch the best as well as how you did your front notch. Did you keep the uprights, I know you said you ditched the dropped spindles ? ///Relaxed Atmosphere
Thanks for the kind words!! Kept the stock stubs etc Just fitted new kingpins & all new bushes throughout whole front end. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Bit of an update!! Car went on the dyno 2 weeks ago to get properly broken in & tuned by the guy who built the engine. Going like a beauty!! However, there was a problem with the car getting hot after 30-40mins of driving @ 100kph/60mph on the dyno. New water pump wasn’t turning water hard enough!! Pulled the water pump out & checked clearance between impeller to back of timing case - ok. Pulled new radiator & electric fan out & took it back to my mate who built it & mounted the fan. Got them both double checked - ok. Hmmmm what to do? Then mate says check the crank pulley to water pump pulley ratios. They were almost the same size!! (6”) He recommended I get a smaller water pump pulley made - should be Atleast 10% smaller for Australian climate. I contacted another mate who has a few nailheads & asked what size his water pump pulleys are? All were 4.5” !! No f*ckin way!! Note; There’s 2 different sized water pump pulleys for 401 nailheads!! Got his one copied & I’m going to bolt it up tomorrow. Hopefully on test run it will work ok. Wish me luck!! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Your ride looks pretty sweet...I've got a 55 Roadmaster that I'll get around to one day and will be going for the same look.
So the car is finally on the road & we just drove it interstate to Sydney for the Hotrod & Custom show. Trouble free trip too which was surprising!! More pics to follow Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Only got the white tuck n roll trim in it the night before we left..... Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I’ve also always wanted to do something a bit whacky with the car so I covered the tailshaft in flake & candy & built a clear acrylic cover over the top for passengers viewing pleasure!! Happy with how it came out Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I was also even more stoked after my good mate Smith Concepts striped the bonnet at the show. Then even more blown away when Shige of Mooneyes signed the dash!! What a top weekend Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Awesome car friend! A big thumbs up from bakersfield California! Thank you for sharing your pics Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Sweet ride man. I'm in the process of replacing the floor pans in my 55 Buick special, your build has me inspired to bag my buick. In regards to bagging it. What size front cups/ spacer tubes did you use?