I'm about to swap my 350 csb to -63 Nailhead engine. Is there anyone who's running a Nailhead 401, and a Borg warner t10 manual transmission behind it? does even the transmission last the big torque from the Nailhead? are the any tips or pointers? Expept that i have to change the bellhouse. /Martin
I have a T10 behind my Nailhead but I haven't run it yet.........I don't see any problem with that trans and the the torque the Buick will make. If it is a Chevy trans. you have, it should bolt up to the nailhead bellhousing. The trans I am using is a T10 from a AMC AMX, I had to make an adaptor.......I'm using a Ford FE pressure plate(bolts on the Buick flywheel) and a AMX clutch plate. Good luck.........
I installed a 401 into my old '55 Special with a Super T-10 about 10-years ago. I went drag racing a couple of times with it and did numerous burnouts, as well as a 1700-mile trip to the HRR in Bowling Green with it. The transmission & engine never gave me a minute's worth of problem.
What kind of buick flywheel did you use? Stock nailhead flywheels are hard to find, but is there any other flywheels that i can use, since the nailhead have external balanced flywheels. Thanks for your time. /Martin
I ran a manual flywheel from T/A Performance in Scottsdale, AZ on my 401 Nailhead. However, the T/A flywheel is balanced for a 425 Nailhead. Because the pistons in a 425 are heavier, you will have to have the flywheel or rotating assembly re-balanced. My 401 vibrated way too much with a 425 flywheel. Jeff
Realize that even if you find an old Schiefer or Weber flywheel for a '57-'66 nailhead, it will still need to be balanced to your engine before use.
Buick ran T-10's behind the Nailhead themselves, so that is not an issue. Both bellhousings and flywheels are available. The engine should be balanced with the flywheel.