Jimmy, While I'm sure the sintered metallic brakes and rear stabilizer bar were available "over the counter", all the evidence I've come up with suggests they were also factory options----but had to be ordered from the SPECIAL EQUIPMENT option list that covered such heavy duty vehicles as police cars, highway patrol cars, ambulances and taxi cabs. One of my muscle car friends has shown me the 1965 Special Equipment list from Pontiac that included the brakes, stabilizer bar, as well as quick steering, HD cooling, etc. I've also confirmed that these items were factory options for Corvairs, Novas, Chevelles, and the 427 Impala, as well as the Olds 442. The Buick items have also been noted in various magazines. Net, what we need now is a BUICK SPECIAL EQUIPMENT ORDER SHEET!!!! Bill
Walt, The only internal Buick paperwork I have is a notation in which the 11.1 is simply referred to as the MS engine. In the submissions to NHRA and NASCAR it is referred to as the ULTRA HIGH COMPRESSION engine. bill
I believe the Buick part number for the 11:1 piston was 1396777 and listed in the factory "Master Parts Book". Marty
What about the "D" heads for the 401/425 nailheads? Buick also produced exhaust manifolds for these heads.....only for the upper series. Marty
"NHRA Technical Specs" for 1966 Buick engines lists the "D" heads (1367912) for 401 and 425 engines. Only 47 heads were made......not sets of heads, but heads. I wonder if any 66 GS's have these heads? My understanding is that Buick did not produce exhaust manifolds, with the "D" heads, in the Skylark chassis. Thank you, Marty
Marty, Buick's initial submission to the NHRA lists the casting/part number for the heads used with the 11:1 MS engine as 1376330. In response to a question from Bob Altman, this was later corrected to 1374603 by telegram, dated 7/25/66, from EJ HRESCO Tech Services manager in Flint to George Keelean in the Jacksonville Zone office. Bill
Wow, excellent info. Do we know if any of the 66 GS's were produced with those heads? If not, does that mean if someone had the "D" heads (large exhaust port), could they use them on their GS for racing? Thank you, Marty
My understanding is the same as yours, about 62 or 63. I did hear some time ago that the "first use" in production was to be around 65. Obviously, it did not happen. The exhaust port is much larger (1/2") and taller, with a raised roof. The port bowl is deeper. There is an extra water jacket across the head. I spoke to Dennis Manner at the 2003 100 year Buick event. He told me a 15 horsepower increase was realized with just bolting the heads on. Others say exhaust port flow is less than stock because the floor is lower than stock. A port plate, or welded port floor, should increase flow to better than stock. How can you get a 15 hp improvement with less exhaust flow????? I have no idea.......some have their own theories. It is an important part of nailhead history though. Marty
Marty, The 7/25/66 telegram from Buick Tech Services Manager HJ Hresko states: "Re telephone conversation regarding cylinder head casting identification for 1966 Skylark Gran Sport engine (MS engine), correct casting number is 1374603. Information furnished NHRA/NASCAR is in error" Net, the 1374603 heads would appear to be correct for both the MS engine and the Skylark Gran Sport application. Bill
Wonder if my Dad ever saw this thing run. He used to race cecil county every weekend in his 56 corvette. Also grew up in or near wilmington...gonna have to give him a call tonight!
I believe the better question to ask is what is the application for the "D" (casting 1367912) cylinder head? Your post, #68, refers to a typo, an incorrect casting number not found on nailheads. The "D" casting is a correct casting number although very limited in supply. Thanks again for the great info, Marty
Hi Bill, I was wondering if there was any time slips on the Flint Flyer from back in the day? That is a neat piece of history:gp: on all of the 66s. I should of known that when I called Jimmy and asked about my car he new the history of the car.
Bob, Haven't found any time slips yet, but have talked with several of Bob's racing friends who remember times in the low 11s. When Altman and Ollie Olsen built the 469 stroker, it maxed out Ollie's 500 bhp Dyno---and they estimated the motor was about 550 bhp, which would yield times in that ball park. We're still looking for time slips and race photographs. Bill
Jimmy, I'm sure you're right. "The older we get the faster we were"----and I'm sure these guys are no exceptions. Bill
We surpassed the 11's & are now into the 10's with our "Nail"!!!!!! 401 + .030". Time for a traction recipe. Tom T.