1953 Buick Transmission Options?? What else can I adapt the engine to??

[coaltownkid]

I was thinking about my Buick's tranny lately....I took a look at a few old chasis that are practically free to me if not actually FREE to me! So it got me wondering,....what transmission adpaters are availible to 322 Buick Nailhead owners out here in Hot Rod world?? I know of the traditional Ford tranny adpater for the 39 trans box,....but what else?? Want to run something from the late 40's/early to mid 1950s.....Chevy? Pontiac? etc??

I'm analyzing the idea of changing over the rear end to something with an open drive,....doing some cutting and beefing up of the X brace in the buick's frame and going from there.....
This way, along with having more options availible if i were to change out the rear and trans, I'd also be able to have more control over the car's stopping ability with a stick shift versus an automatic!!

Thanks
Jason

[58sled]

check this guy out www.transmissionadapters.com I got my adapter from him and it fits great (a little pricey but good craftsmanship) I have a 425 nailhead 700r4 trans and a ford 8.8" rear end going in my '58.

[junkyardjohn]

Nailheads were a hot swap back in the fifties and early sixties. There were several manufacturers of adapters but the problem is identifying one when you see it. Ebay might be a good place to start. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Buick Nailheads were available in the heavier Chevrolet trucks from 1955 or so through 1959 so check the big trucks at the boneyards. Good luck!
Thanks,
junkyardjohn

[coaltownkid]

Nailheads were a hot swap back in the fifties and early sixties. There were several manufacturers of adapters but the problem is identifying one when you see it. Ebay might be a good place to start. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Buick Nailheads were available in the heavier Chevrolet trucks from 1955 or so through 1959 so check the big trucks at the boneyards. Good luck!
Thanks,
junkyardjohn

WOW!!?? :Dou:
I never knew that!! :puzzled:

Hmmm,.....now where the heck have I seen them??!! Any specific truck models that had them moreso than others from chevy??

Jason

[Bill Scott]

Go to Bendtsen's transmission adapters. Just type in bendsten's on google and you'll find it. I'm currently putting together a '40 Buick with a straight adapted to a 700R using a Bendsten's adapter. The rear end will be s-10 chevy with 4-bar and coil springs. Not exactly a bolt-in, but I feel it's the way to go with these old Buicks. The rear-end and suspension setup on my '40 is the same as on your '53 so the problems are the same. You could also use a leaf spring set-up which I have seen done on a '48 Roadmaster. Seemed to work OK. Bill Scott