Nailhead Tranny question

[RHD]

I'm gonna be building a hot rod here soon and I'm trying to go with a 'period correct' car. A late 50's car could have a '53 Nailhead in it, so thats where I want to go with my rod.

So I have a question: What was the manual transmission, if offered, that went with the early model Nailhead motors?

I've looked around today and not found anything. Caddy was using a 4 speed 'Hydra-Matic' transmission in '53. So I'd guess that the BPOC group shared that tranny.

I've got a line on quite a few T86's that was the Mopar manual tranny of the time. It also used by Buick, well Jeep used the T86 when the Buick V6 was in the Jeep line.

[Judd]

RHD

The 53 to 56 Nailhead has its own bolt pattern 57 up Nailheads are different. I've been told the stock 56 stick bell housing can be drilled for Chevy 4 speed and it looks to be true comparing the one I have here with a friends Chevy 4 speed. The stock Buick pilot bushing fits the Chevy input shaft also. The stock auto on 50's Nailheads is a two speed Dynaflow, not much of a race trans.

Judd

[GS Spoken Here]

In the late 50's and early 60's I had a 40 Ford with a 56 Buick in it. I used a early Ford trans. 40 to 48 with an adaptor. Bill Sangster

[BJR]

In the 50's Buick offered a 3 speed manual in addition to the Dynaflow automatic, if you are going to stay with the torque tube driveline. Brian

[55spcl]

try transmissionadapters.com or Parts 123.com IT would be hard to find a stick buick there almost all autos.Youll have alot of work to do.

[JR]

Check out this URL

http://members.tripod.com/starchief57/techtips.htm#gear

JR

[1955 fink]

can someone answer a question for me? how do i post a question i'm new to this and trying to figure it out. Thanks

[RHD]

New Thread

[msc66]

1955 fink said:can someone answer a question for me? how do i post a question i'm new to this and trying to figure it out. Thanks

You just did!:laugh:

[wwcorrigan]

I've got a couple of 3 speed Buick trannies. You have to use the torque tube and ball set up as was stock then. Steve

[RHD]

I've heard of people using older Ford trannies and converting to an open driveline instead of a torque tube, espically on banjo rearends.

Anybody know of a kit or plans to build a conversion setup?

[55spcl]

I ve seen the nailhead to early ford trany adapters I want to say it was on parts123.com

[RHD]

what was the rear end on a mid to late 50's Buick and what ratio is it? Or is there a handy chart where i can look all this up myself?

Did it also use a torque tube? I'm assuming it does.