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Projects Bagged 55 Buick build

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by EVL401, Feb 6, 2015.

  1. Normally with the carb base level front to back the transmission output shaft will be at 3* down angle.
     
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  2. Sgt. John
    Joined: Nov 23, 2014
    Posts: 206

    Sgt. John
    Member
    from Virginia

    Hello EVL401 glad you didn't give up, like in the military no surrender and drive foward, you are doing great work, I like to see it finished
     
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  3. xhotrodder
    Joined: Jul 2, 2009
    Posts: 1,665

    xhotrodder
    Member

    Love the 55 Buick. Here is a photo of Jay Leno's 55 Buick to give you an idea of the stance you might be looking for. Good luck.
     

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  4. tommyduncan
    Joined: Jul 17, 2012
    Posts: 27

    tommyduncan
    Member

    That is a beautiful car, and similar to Leno's, but not his. This car is also from New Zealand. Shortly after seeing pics of this car for the first time I bought a 55' Super. I recently got it home So it ddoesn't look anything like that one...yet!
     
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  5. xhotrodder
    Joined: Jul 2, 2009
    Posts: 1,665

    xhotrodder
    Member

    OK, I stand corrected.
     
  6. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Tommy Duncan I thought Hills & Co Customs in Oz built that one.....? Correct me if I'm wrong Pls!!
     
  7. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Dirt T just checked the out shaft angle its a hair over 3* so looks like we've got a win!!
     
  8. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    It's actually at 3.6* now I look closer. Will this be suitable or has to be exactly 3 degrees? If I tilt forward then carb base will be out. Hmmmmm
     
  9. tommyduncan
    Joined: Jul 17, 2012
    Posts: 27

    tommyduncan
    Member

    Correct...still not sure why I put New Zealand? I even stated"also"...as in also from Oz. Beautiful car!
    Leno's Is very similar but stock or near stock appearing as long as you don't look under the hood!
     
  10. You might need to trim the opening a bit more, some bags will get fatter when aired up an weight on them. Don't want rubbing.
     
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  11. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Haven't had the chance to get a decent look at the openings however will research further into it tonight. I know it looks like its gonna be a snug fit though!! Thanks for the advice Fullblast will keep u posted!! Got my top bag plates to suit Slam RE-6's yesterday so after few measurements tonight it's welding time!!
     
  12. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Plates from Air ride tig welded in place (only just started to tig!!) & top chassis plate & spacer tube bolted in. Bags fit snug inside their little spot with clearance all way round however undecided whether to trim chassis opening or not.
     

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  13. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    As you can see in pic the front RE6 slam bag fits with minimal clearance. Outta time now but soon to be trimmed for more clearance!
     

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  14. Orn
    Joined: Jul 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,106

    Orn
    Member

    Nice build!
     
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  15. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    She's in!! Bag has no clearance issues fully aired up or aired out!! Progress is good!!
     

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  16. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Thanks Orn!!
     
  17. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Right hand side engine mount ready to be tacked in place. Happy with how they're looking!! Spacers for bearing conversion currently being machined.....
     

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  18. Crazyolman
    Joined: May 24, 2014
    Posts: 188

    Crazyolman

    Nailhead Russ at Centerville Auto Repair has a rear sump pan and oil pump conversion for the 401 and after fighting my set up I gave up and purchased one from him. Great guy and has more knowledge about Nailheads than anyone.
    http://nailheadbuick.com/nailhead-engine-swaps
     
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  19. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Thanks Crazyolman!! Have purchased few things off him so far (6x2 manifold, T700 adapter, starter etc) & so far he's been very good. Already got my rear hump sump pan on there from an earlier 364 but will modify my oil pickup as the 364 & 401s are completely different!! What'd u put ur nailhead in that required a rear hump pan?
     
  20. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Have started making the gearbox X member. Not sure if I like the direction it's headed yet but will proceed & upload more soon!! Fitting a T700 into the 55 without fabricating a new tunnel or massaging the firewall is proving to be quite the challenge. The Trans has bout 1 to 1 1/2 inches clearance to the tunnel which is exactly where I want it. However one of the bell housing bolts is really close to the firewall. Will tackle that after the X member is finished. Bottom of X member will sit about 5mm or 0.19" from bottom of chassis level. More to come.......
     

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  21. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Originally I purchased some blockhuggers extractors however where the collector is faces just above the streering, and also it's a very tight squeeze between the 2 middle cylinder pipes & steering box. Instead of highly modifying the blockhuggers I'm going to make my first set of extractors!! Wish me luck & watch this space!!!!
     

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  22. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    First pic is blockhuggers with collector central to the pipes. This won't work with the conversion. 2nd pic is templates to make transmission X member. I'm no metal fab expert just trying to have a go!! Of course the X member will be plated for strength....
     

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  23. igorsgonemadd
    Joined: Nov 1, 2013
    Posts: 27

    igorsgonemadd

    Watching this thread close. I just bought a 55 4dr hardtop. I'm going to bag it as well.
     
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  24. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Handmade exhaust header plates. File, sand, repeat. Gonna look good when done!!
     

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  25. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Finally found the time to design, fab & tig weld a new X member for the T700 Trans. Only just started tig welding late last year so still trying to perfect the art!! Had to make the X member with a hard kick up so it wouldn't hang below the chassis. Made it from 5mm (0.19") steel took few hours with only a grinder, drill & general measuring tools. Had to get it perfect to keep the Trans output shaft at 3 degrees in conjunction with the perfectly set up chassis (0 degrees). More to come.....
     

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  26. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Exhaust header plates turning out heaps better using (believe it or not) a cylinder head tungsten tipped porting tool. Look at the finish!! Will eventually be proper port matched to the 401 nailhead later on down the track....
     

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  27. cretin
    Joined: Oct 10, 2006
    Posts: 3,066

    cretin
    Member

    Just a thought, next time, when making something thick like header flanges with a rectangle hole. Instead of drilling one big hole and then grinding out to shape, drill each corner with a smaller bit, and then connect the dots with straight cuts. That will save you some time with grinding and filing.
     
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  28. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    Thanks cretin for advice mate!! Will definitely do differently next time around (hopefully not too soon)
     
  29. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    So got this awsome Buick light coupla weeks ago for my bday so had to make a mount bracket for it. Bit of inspiration whilst working in the garage!!
     

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  30. EVL401
    Joined: Sep 12, 2012
    Posts: 151

    EVL401
    Member

    So finally got the time to tig weld the engine mounts to the chassis using 5mm (0.19") steel plate.....
     

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