So you have a pre '67 vintage Buick and want to go fast, What to do? Go with a Nailhead correct for the vintage or go with a Big Buick? How much HP/Torque? What are the limitations? Pros and Cons? All opinions much appreciated, Thanks!
I would argue strongly for Nailhead. Although admittedly more expensive to build, i think you can't beat the uniqueness/correctness factor.
Recently there was or is a write up with pics in one of the mags that talks about a guy who took an old Chevy 409 bored & stoked it with a 454 crank to get like 474 cubes. If memory serves me it had big valves, fully ported heads, a custom cam for his flow #s and it made like 600+ HP & TQ. Anyway I think it would be really cool to see someone do that type of buildup with the 425 Nailhead. It would get alot more attention than the same car with 455.
Taylor, we will have to go for another ride once I get the bugs worked out, and I will drive you around the block until you are convinced. A little background: my `66 GS had been converted to a 430 about 15 years ago (I've only had it 6 months), but found it much easier to stick with the big block than try to go back to the NH. Ironic thing is that I sold the 401 out of the `65 Electra about 2 months prior to getting the GS and that engine ran extremely well, but then I would have to find mounts and correct manifolds, etc. If there was a NH in the engine compartment to begin with I would have kept with it. But the car will never be a prime specimen, it will be above average when I get done with it, but I won't loose any sleep over it not having a NH under the hood. Dave
Dave, I agree with you %100 and WOW! what a ride, you're GS is bad to the bone. I have an appreciation for all things cool especially sixties vintage Buicks and the '66 is one of my favs.. I know I told you I would have given your car a nailhead but rides around the block can change ones prospective. So I pose the question here Nailhead or Big Buick?
Ultimately, you'll probably get more power from the 455, but there is just something special about popping the hood and seeing one of these............
Nice Looking Engine Compartment. How much power is enough? What are the limitations? How fast can a nailhead go?
I know of two folks (Don Colomb and Bob Quigg) running in the 11's with 66 GSs. Don has a 425, and I believe Bob's car is a 401.
I think the engine pic is the best defence of the nailhead that I've seen yet. I took my 66 4speed to the local 1/8 mile track one night, and had a small crowd of guys oohing and aaahhing over the dual quads and valve covers. One guy pointed at it and told his son,"that's what real cars used to look like." Besides, there's no mistaking that it isn't a Chevy motor. If you can afford to keep a nailhead in it, it's worth the effort.
That's probably one of the COOLEST engine combo's for an older Chevy!!!:bglasses: The 409 (I believe) can be taken out to a 511" - Lamar Walden had some built! If anyone has any links to any of that - I'd love to see them!:TU: There's a pretty cool buildup with excellent pics over on the GSCA board - Well Done!!! Really good 'before' and 'after' pictures - if they don't convince you how COOL the 401 or 425 Nailhead can look, I don't know what will!:grin: A friend of mine picked up a 425 out of a 65 Riv this past summer. He's putting it into a 49 Olds street rod project. That Nailhead will be soooooo much better than that little 303" Olds engine that it came with - better power and much better looks!! I think he located a dual quad intake for it too. Should be nice when he gets it done!:TU:
.....speaking of which: :bglasses: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1874650288
Well I'll put my few cents worth in too. Really does depend on what your main purpose for the car is, you didn't say? If you want the faster of the two motors ya go with the built 400-430-455 etc motors. If that's the motor already in the car I would leave it be. Would I tear a running NH out of a 65-66 Skylark GranSport, no. Would I drop a built 462 into a pre-67 Skylark, yup in a heartbeat. Then again as long as it's Buick Powered it's very cool in my book.
Did someone say SWEEET dualquad Nailhead ?? See the rest of the pics here http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50198
After seeing Alan's last picture, do you need anymore proof that the Nailhead is awesome!! I don't know how fast your wanting to run, but 11's with a NH is obtainable without breaking the bank. You could probably build a 455 that could run 11's for a couple of grand less. It is all in what you want and like. I love Nailheads, especially in their correct cars. If you have the dough, go NH. If not go 455. If wishing to run on the track and compete with the others for wins, go 455. Compared to a bowtie, the 455 will raise some eyebrows too when they open the hood.
