Power plant dilemma, 392 or 401?

I have been lusting after a 392 Hemi since I was about 3 years old but I just cant find one. I have found a good 401 Nailhead.
What should I do? Hold out for the Hemi or run the 401 in my gasser??
Please help, Im incapable of making this decision.

Doc.

 

Why dont you go for the Nailhead until you can get the 392 that you have been searching for. Oh and that sig at the bottom is classic!

 

Personally I like the nailhead. What kind of car?

 

its an A-40 Austin, same as in my avatar. I haven't any pics yet but hope to have some soon.
Lostsoul, thanks!!
Speedkings, I wonder why that is?.........

 

Gee, thanks Jeff. Now Im really seriously thinking of the 401, how hard is it to come by speed parts for them?
This is new ground for me, these motors were never sold in Oz so I need all the guidance I can get.
Doc.

 

Cool, I want to run a BIG cam huge lift/duration......... I just need to know whats out there, Tunnel ram? 6 2s? Injection?
For the motor I have found I need a good set of heads, once again whats out there.
We need a Nailhead thread like the Hemi tech one!
Doc.

 

GOT TO RUN THE 392!!! CONTACT AL SYLER AT HEARTBREAKER RACE ENGINES OAKLAWN IL.YOU CAN FIND HIS # ON THE SLACKERS WEBSITE WWW.SLACKERSCC.COM HE BUILT MY BLOWN 392, AND JUST SPOKE TO HIM YESTERDAY AND HE IS BUILDING A 392 NOW, HE HAS SEVERAL EARLY HEMIS IN HIS SHOP. GOOD LUCK

 

Does anyone do after market heads for the 401? I have been searching and cant find anything other than Edelbrock 400 Buick heads. I dont even know it they fit??
Anyone?

 

Ok, going with the 401. Now I need help with parts...........

 

Call Ross, 0409828306 - Orange NSW. He may want to let one go.

 

Nailhead !!!!!!

 

Bttt

 

Ask Tommy Ivo.

 

You'll like the nailhead, but don't over-cam it. 401's produce a ton of low-end to mid-range torque and don't pull really high revs. I just finished one and went with a 288 degree, 0.490" lift Schneider. It'll turn well over 5,000 rpm and still has plenty of punch at 2,500 and above.

Unfortunately, there are no aftermarket heads for these motors. The stock versions are OK, but benefit a lot from porting. In fact, mine picked-up another 38 hp on the dyno after being reworked.

 

Check out Doc Fromader's build at www.webrodder.com He usually has some exotic mods you may want to ignore.

 

At what RPM did you pick up the 38 hp?

 

Around 4,700 rpm

 

Thanks guys!

 

The Buick is also much lighter and narrower - easier fit on a small car.
Factory dual quad manifolds can be found.
The intake style is unique to early Buick (including the 215).
Note the 1-2-1 pattern, everything else is either 2-2, or 1-1-1-1.

 

Im sold, Im going with the Buick. I found one with all the machine work done, ready to assemble. 30 thou over, but no heads, intake or sump pan.
Anyone got a set of heads for sale?

 

Basically its the looks that matter, if you really want power, then put a 671 blower on any 331, 354, or 392, add fuel and hang on! For the street TORQ rules, Buicks have TORQ. Either of the 2 engines have LOOKS. The Buick will last forever with a turbo 400 and 2:75 rear gears. Add a switchpitch turbo for tiresmoke.

 

There are some great options for the 401. Hilborn still makes injectors for them. 3 2 intakes, 6 2 intakes and dual fours are still being produced. I found this kat on e-pay that was making intakes to run 4 dual throat down draft webbers. It looked killer. Similar to a hilborn setup visually. Also 671 kits are still being made.

 

I like the Hilborn mechanical injection a LOT. Though who makes the blower kit? Anyone have a link?

 

I have a 392 hemi, but honestly think nailheads rock as well. I kind of prefer the way nailheads look actually - very distinctive, especially with cast ribbed covers, etc. 392 hemis come up on ebay all the time, but I realize shipping to OZ may be very expensive and risky. I say stick with the nailhead, they are way cool too.

Cars don't come too much nicer than this in my opinion:

 

id go nailhead, lots-o-power factory.

jeff

 

I'd go with the nail head, lots of torque, good looks. And they share the same amount of cubes as one of my favorite engines, 401 AMC...But there's not a whole lot of them left, probably close to none Down Under too. Good luck with the Nail Head though!! If you were looking for something even more interesting I have a variety of Olds engines 303, 394 Sky Rocket, an over abundance of 425's and 455's. Not my dream engine though the All aluminium 215 Turbo Rocket.

 

on this site the most talked about motors seem to be the buick nailhead and the 235 chevy. cant go wrong with the buick lots of traffic in it.