Register now to get rid of these ads!

Hot Rods 327 SBC or 364 Nailhead

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 55styleliner, Aug 28, 2019.

?
  1. Nailhead

    41 vote(s)
    64.1%
  2. 327

    23 vote(s)
    35.9%
  1. 55styleliner
    Joined: May 11, 2015
    Posts: 563

    55styleliner
    Member

    The 350 in my ‘36 3 Window is tired. I have a ‘65 327 SBC and a ‘57 364 Nailhead. Which is a better choice? I would do a 3 deuce setup on either one with a 5 speed. Parts for the 327 will definitely be cheaper and easier to find. But is there enough of a cool factor to justify the Nailhead?

    2D749C67-04C4-467C-A07B-3E36B794BDE9.jpeg
     
    kidcampbell71, Deuces and Voh like this.
  2. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,698

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Depends, do you park it with the hood open a lot? Like to stare an engine or wind it out on the road?

    I’m a function over form guy myself so the thrill is in the driving for me. If the Chevy motorvates you faster that’s what I’d do.
     
    55styleliner likes this.
  3. 55styleliner
    Joined: May 11, 2015
    Posts: 563

    55styleliner
    Member

    Not currently, the old 350 is tired looking. Would love to run it without hood sides or park with hood open. But I don’t want to sacrifice driveability. Which I think either choice will do well for having fun at the stop light.
     
  4. I pulled a good running 352 FE from my 56 ford Pk. because I have this nailhead with a adapter and stick lasalle trans. The nailhead has some wieand goodies and try Y hedders. haven't go around to installing it yet. ngines 005.JPG ngines 003.JPG ngines 001.JPG bull & 56 truck 002.JPG
     

  5. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    Either will move you down the road, both look tasty when dolled up. 327 is the magic number, nailhead is the magic word. The SBC will be easier and cheape, but you already know that. You can't loose.
     
  6. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,156

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

  7. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 12,262

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I voted. By law I cant tell you which one I voted for...but it wasn't the chev
     
  8. 1962 dodge lancer
    Joined: Feb 26, 2013
    Posts: 43

    1962 dodge lancer
    Member
    from joliet, il

    definitely buick nail head because everything has a chev !
     
    mgtstumpy and Old wolf like this.
  9. I have a Nailhead in a '35 pick up......it takes a bit of persuasion to get one in these cars. There is a thread from a few months ago with Al putting one in his '32.......you can get an idea of the work necessary from that. I use custom tube headers, Al used stock Nailhead manifolds. A Nailhead is definitely a torque monster.

    I also have an SBC in my '40 coupe........real simple swap.......no cutting needed, plenty of header options. Looks like Henry designed these for SBCs.

    DSCN0590.JPG DSCN0591.JPG '40 deluxe coupe - 327 FI engine.jpg
     
  10. Hotrodmyk
    Joined: Jan 7, 2011
    Posts: 2,299

    Hotrodmyk
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Northwest HAMBers

  11. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    I have never seen a nail head dressed up to look like a SBC.
     
    55styleliner likes this.
  12. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,820

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    being a Chevy guy I'd go Chevrolet.
     
    olscrounger likes this.
  13. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    20121103_100239.jpg
    Does this picture of the nailhead in Ron Myers' old '39 help you decide?
     
  14. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,042

    wicarnut
    Member

    What floats your boat, IMO, $$$ wise, performance wise, work required, SBC 327 is the way to go. IF you want to spend $$$ and do the work think about a SBF. Ford in a Ford, a new novel Idea I've heard about. I'm not a nailhead fan, will say they look good, It's all about YOU, Your car, $$$, Time. Good Luck !
     
  15. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,404

    oldolds
    Member

    I would probably do the Chevy because you could change it over in a weekend. But this guy has a different opinion.

    henry ford.jpg
     
  16. Buick on hoodless cars.On a full body car I would go with the cheaper to build Chevy.
     
    56shoebox likes this.
  17. They both would have a bit of a cool factor-early sbc three deuce, or nail head three deuce.
    My practical/lazy side would be the sbc, since you already are set up for it.
    No loser here, both will get you where you want to be.
    Nice coupe.
     
  18. CAHotRodBoy
    Joined: Apr 22, 2005
    Posts: 458

    CAHotRodBoy
    Member

    Beautiful car! Can't go wrong with either but if it were me, I'd go Nailhead just because I like the look of them so much. As said, the 327 is a bolt in while the Buick is going to cost you more $ to do and will be harder swap. I'm sure once it is done you won't regret it though.

    I have a feeling that if you do the 327 you will always be saying, "Man, sure wish I had put the nailhead in here"!
     
  19. Performance- reliability- or cool factor........... You can only pick two! If your a hood open guy= go for what your wallet will allow.... Not condoning, but you have the mounts, cooling system already done.........
    If you want to impress others, and not yourself, you might be missing out......
    Do what you will, and what you like......
    Nails are cool looking as hell, but- are you/do you have the means to transplant? Cooling/mounts/drivetrain/exhaust........... then dress with eye candy? All about you and your ride......
    It isn't what others think.....................
     
  20. Be a sheep or be an individual.



    images.jpg
     
    55styleliner likes this.
  21. chargin03
    Joined: Jan 8, 2013
    Posts: 516

    chargin03
    Member

    There is a reason everything has a chevy.
     
  22. pkhammer
    Joined: Jan 28, 2012
    Posts: 810

    pkhammer
    Member

    Chevy = easy bolt in, inexpensive to build, makes great power, parts easy to find....
    Buick = way more expensive to build, potential fitment problems, parts harder to find, makes great power, looks cool as heck....
    I like being different so I'd for sure go with the Buick.
     
    55styleliner likes this.
  23. Yes, that's why I've had a bunch of them $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
     
  24. 55styleliner
    Joined: May 11, 2015
    Posts: 563

    55styleliner
    Member

    I love being different and building to period correct/H.A.M.B. friendly. Maybe that should have been my question, is one more period correct or give me more points on the H.A.M.B. scale of cool?
     
  25. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    There is about $700 difference in a stock type engine kit.
     
  26. OLSKOOL57
    Joined: Feb 14, 2019
    Posts: 477

    OLSKOOL57
    Member

    Definitely!!!!
     
  27. swifty
    Joined: Dec 25, 2005
    Posts: 2,209

    swifty
    Member

    Wife and I have 3 hot rods, none of which have Chevs and I'm currently building another 32-5 window with a 401 Nailhead so I guess you know how I voted. BTW Buicks were never sold here so anything I need has to be imported at great cost. Chev stuff is readily available.
     
  28. oldtom69
    Joined: Dec 6, 2009
    Posts: 583

    oldtom69
    Member
    from grandin nd

    nailhead-god already gave you one bellybutton
     
    sunbeam and choffman41 like this.
  29. plym49
    Joined: Aug 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,802

    plym49
    Member
    from Earth

    Nailhead. They are awesome. That's a '53 322 with 3 97s and a Dynaflow in my ava.
     
  30. DrewModelA
    Joined: Oct 26, 2014
    Posts: 36

    DrewModelA
    Member

    Since you’re already running a small block I’d say save yourself some time and money and run the 327.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Deuces likes this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.