1959 Buick 401 Nailhead Headers

Discussion in ''Da Nailhead' started by Deadsled59, Jan 16, 2011.

  1. Deadsled59

    Deadsled59 Well-Known Member

    I have looked endlessly for an affirmative response from anybody to let me know for sure that TA PERFORMANCE SHORTY HEADERS will fit my 59.

    They couldnt even assure me on the phone that they would fit. And if I DID purchase them and put them on to check and see if the product they market for my nailhead will fit, I CANT EVEN RETURN IT IF IT DOESNT FIT!!! WTF is that ???

    Anyone know for sure if they will fit? By the way, my 59 has airbags and lays frame, and I have a Tom Telesco mini stater so I think the odds are in my favor... Thanks in advance...
     
  2. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    It is the fact that they can't economically make headers to for every application, and stay in business.
     
  3. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    I wish that I could help you; I have a similar problem involving my Buchev pickup. Unfortunately, the header manufacturer cannot guarantee that a set of headers will fit an application for which it was not specifically designed. I would not expect a seller to accept for return a set of headers that was scratched and beat up from having someone attempt to make them fit in a chassis that they really don't fit. As I said, I have a similar issue. When the mood is right and the Moon is in it's correct phase, I will remove the present exhaust from my truck and see if the headers that I bought will fit. If not, they will look real pretty on my basement wall. :laugh:
     
  4. Deadsled59

    Deadsled59 Well-Known Member

    I just expected them to be a little more lenient considering how much money I was about to lay out for a set of headers. All I wanted was to be told that if they don't fit and I didn't scratch them up they would gladly take them back.

    How can any of us know is they fit any other car than the 65 riviera that they are made for? My main question here is has anyone successfully applied them to a 59 60 Buick?
     
  5. CameoInvicta

    CameoInvicta Well-Known Member

    Do you have your factory manifolds? I know the TA headers will fit a '62, and the headers look EXACTLY like the factory manfiolds on my '62, in terms on their style and pipe routing. If the header configuration is not the same as your manifolds, I'd say it's a no go. Sorry I don't have a difinitive answer - but that's about the best explanation I can give.

    Also, an old board member named Steve was making headers for the Nailhead. I believe he said they would fit ALL fullsize cars from '59-'66. PM me and I'll send you his contact info.
     
  6. 64Electra

    64Electra Alex BCA# 44430

    Have you looked at your exhaust manifolds? They are far from being headers... Port them and call it good. Life's too short to be pulling hair out over this kind of BS.
     
  7. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    On a street driven car,, I seriously doubt that you can tell the difference in power between a engine with headers and a good set of factory manifolds that have been port matched, and smoothed up..... add to that, headers, rattle, leak, bend, rust out, ect....... a very well planned exhaust system with the factory exhaust manifolds prepped, bigger pipes all the way to the back , with good mufflers will stay right with a car with headers....and aint near as much trouble.....or expense.....
     
  8. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    :gp: Doc X 2!
     
  9. CameoInvicta

    CameoInvicta Well-Known Member

    I think when Erik dynoed his 425, Sanderson's vs. the factory manifolds were only worth 10-15hp. And that was on a cammed and ported Nailhead. The factory manifolds do flow pretty darn well.
     
  10. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member

    Another idea... Post where you are located and see if anybody has a set sitting around that they haven't installed yet, and see if you can look at them up close and do a comparison with your car.
     
  11. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

    Here is the driver's side


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Deadsled59

    Deadsled59 Well-Known Member

    Well well well... FINALLY a usefull picture! Thanks so much... My 59 manifolds collector is about where the number 6 cylinder is.. not at the very end like that.

    However, I have plenty of room at the back where that collector on the Ta headers would be... I guess ill have to get a set and kind of set them in the bay to make sure they fit... If not ill just pack them up and return them...

    I really wish someone out there knew if they fit a 59 already...
     
  13. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    Hi Ted, Are those TA Shortys? Do you by any chance have a photo of the other side? Are they still available? I like the looks of those! Thanks for posting the photos.
     
  14. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

    Hi John, yep, they are TA's. I've got a picture somewhere, these were just handy to post. I'll scour the files for the other side or get a new picture.
    Ted
     
  15. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanx, Ted!
     
  16. Deadsled59

    Deadsled59 Well-Known Member

    Could I also please get that picture of the other side of the motor? thanks
     
  17. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

  18. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

    THis shows driver's side in the 65 Wildcat engine bay

    [​IMG]
     
  19. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

  20. HilbornNailhead

    HilbornNailhead Well-Known Member


    What you have to understand, is unlike Chevys or Fords, a lot of bolt on Buick [performance] parts have not been available and on the market for decades and decades.
    For all you know, you could be the first guy to be installing a set of TA headers on a '59. You could be THE guy to call up TA and say, "HEY, those shorties you sold me a while back, THEY FIT!!! Here is my application, and here is what I had to do to get them installed."

    So when the next guy calls, and is wondering if a pair of shorties will fit up right on his '59, TA can tell him (or her), 'well Deadsled59 on the V8Buick forum installed a set last year without any difficulty (or 'he had to do this to get them in'), so they should work for your application.

    Personally, being a younger guy that missed out on all the original innovation of the '50s, '60s and '70s, this is part of what I love about the Buick community.......sometimes you get to be the first guy to try something.
     

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