We are talking Rat Rod here guys.:TU: I have a 1936 International that is Nailhead powered. The current set-up is a 1966 401 that I added a T/A camshaft (new lifters,timing chain,etc..),EElco dual 4's intake,dual 500 eldebrocks and electronic ignition conversion. The only exhaust consists of baffled Lake pipes (basically open headers). The transmission is a built 700R4 (built by me owner of RPMTransmissions.com) with a custom converter and adapter plate. The rear gear is a 3.73 limited slip. The truck runs great but the motor has some blow by and I decided to build a fresh 425. I purchased a 1966 425 to build as a replacement and decided I wanted more power. The block is nice but needs a ..030 overbore. I have ARP mainstuds,headstuds,and rod bolts. I have a 6-71 custom kit on the way from Don Hampton (very nice guy) but I have some questions. I am looking for pistons, a good nailhead cylinder head guy, and camshaft recommendations. Can someone point me in the right direction? I'm not looking to build a race motor but I would like to have the fastest RUSTYNAIL on my block. :laugh: I will post pics of the project if anyone is interested.
Good idea to put in forged pistons, cant tell you much more since ,from what you have already said , you know how to build a engine/car. Just remember that when you go the huffer route the pistons have to be low compression. if i remember right about 8 to one. I love a blown nail head. I like JE pistons, they will make pistons for any thing and are extreme quality. A custom maker is the rout you probably will have to go unless you can get really lucky and find a old set of forged ones setting on some ones shelf.
Heads porting by Gessler He is on the board and has web site Roller tip rockers for the heads - Tom Telesco - search toms roller rockers in this forum. EGGE and JE for your pistons Both have web sites and have been posted about all over this board Get rid of those 2 500 CFM's and throw on a 2 750's - Don't worry your nail will love you for it. (a 600 and 750 is what I have and they work great, but I would go with 2 750's if I didn't driver her on the street so much) *note- we had to re jet and replace the metering rods in the 750 to lean it out some. Lastly, get some pics up. Love to see it! :TU: :3gears:
I tried to post a pic but the site would not allow me to yet. I need to have 10 posts or more before I can post a URL. O.K. I'm going to post a few more times today to get the count so I can add some pics.
Thanks for the info, I have talked to JE but I must of got the wrong guy:spank: . I searched the forum for a while and came up with a job number that another member used in his blown 425 but the tech guy I had at JE said he couldn't use that number.???? I think I will call again and hope I get a different guy.
Thanks for the info. I will look up Gessler. I want to run roller rocker arms but have a few questions first. I want to retain my aluminum valve covers ( I like the BUICK on the side as identification ) I guess I will cross that bridge when we get there(I have a lathe,mill,and tig welder).
Trying to get my post count up.:grin: We are fabricating a top blower plate to actually run 3 four barrels, yea I know thats crazy but we are building a RAT ROD. I am doing it for looks only but they all will be functional. I plan to run a 750 in the middle and my two 500's on a progressive linkage.
I can't wait to see this truck!! Take an engine shot and post it in the "Show under your Hoods Pics" thread. Everyone would love to see it. Just remember that you can't post a picture twice on this site for some reason. So put some here and there!!! You sound like your going to do a real nice job. I also am building a sort or Rat Rod with a rusty old 64 Special with the original paint still on the car with a nice Rust color tinge to it!!! I got a 430 for it cause I can't afford 1 of those beautiful NailHeads!!! ( I scored a complete 69 430 for $150 on craigs list)
Sounds like a cool project! ROSS also carries forged pistons for the Nailhead. I've heard Diamond racing also has them. Tom Telesco's roller rockers are designed to fit under stock valve covers...he went to great pains to ensure that! They use the stock shafts and stands. The RR from TA Performance will NOT fit under the stock covers. Blower manifolds avail from Hampton Blower.... Gessler's head porting site is here: http://www.gesslerheadporting.com/ Before you bore out that 425, it would be a good idea to have the cylinder wall thickness checked, as some are on the thin side. Also a good idea to use some block fill in the bottom of the water jackets....fill them up to the bottom of the freeze plugs. I highly suggest you contact Tom Telesco! He's been involved with a 10 second Nailhead here on the East coast. And welcome to V8 Buick!:beers2: You can insert pics into your post if you first put the pic on photobucket.com Then use the button that looks like a mountain with a yellow sky (?) above the area where you type your message to insert the pic. :TU:
I have the two 500 eldebrocks right now they are only a few months old. I need to buy the third new carb,should I get another 500 or a 750? I figured I could run the 750 and progressively bring the two 500's in and not open them all of the way.
I will be calling Gessler very shortly, thanks for the link.:bglasses: Geez I had to edit your quote (no links allowed till 10 posts) Thats alright I am almost there.
I hear you, luckily I have a 18 gallon aluminum fuel cell under the bed cover (rusty barn siding):shock:
Here are a couple pics from this summer, I will post a few updated pics as I have changed a few things (for the better). My favorite question is "What color are you going to paint it?" or "That thing will look good when you get it done"
I promise to take pics of the engine build and blower and keep this thread udated. First step is to get the pistons coming so the machine shop can bore the block.The machine shop that I am using builds performance engines turn-key and have an inhouse engine dyno. I will probably have them assemble the shotblock and I will finish the engine/blower set-up from there. I plan to have them run it on the dyno just to get the A/F ratio and timing set perfect. The transmission swap made a huge difference in the way the truck performed and drove. I really like having the low first gear and .74 overdrive (not to mention lock-up). When we did the transmission swap I used a big B&M cooler with a fan under the bed cover. We plumbed it all with AN fittings and braided lines as well. The transmission is one of our Level V 700R4's (the best of everything) with one of our RPM 2800 converters (our converters are private labeled by Precision Industries). We custom fabbed an aluminum driveshaft in house. The rear is a 8.5 GM early Camaro that is totally rebuilt with 3.73's and Auburn carrier. I also plan to change the rear over to disc this winter (4 wheel disc on a Rat Rod shouldn't be allowed but I want to stop when I need to). The frame is factory but totally boxed in and from the cab back is all aftermarket frame and latter bar set-up. The truck drives very nice.
Rusty (That's your name till I know the real one)- That channeled chopped rusty rat rod is AWSOME. You really want to throw a blower on her. I love those sick looking stacks on the carbs! I guess a huffer will bring that ride to a whole new level. Totally cool man keep the pics coming!:TU:
