I have a chance at a complete 65 401 Nailhead for about 130 bucks. My question is, if I wanted to put this motor in a 70 Sklyark, would it work?? If so, what's the recipe?? Or should I just hold out for a 455?? I'm trying to do something different and I figured the Nailhead would be a good start.
I'm thinking the 455 goes into both - why not! BUT! You would need the front sump pan ala the 65 GS, which kills the cheap factor. Nailhead headers, $350, or cast iron GS ones pretty hard to come by.
It would have a factor of coolness but I would do the 455. Cheaper and easier to build. 455 is going to be faster too. Jsut having a Buick "is" something different. Heck of a bargain on the Nail, wish some would pop up arond here.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. But you know the first thing people try to find when they get a buick or something "I'm gonna find a 455 for this". I was thinking that the 401 would be like a sub different to already having the buick, and I could still build some decent street power. And like you said, the Nailhead is a bargain. I figure for 100 bucks, I can't find a 455 for less than 500, and it's still probably gonna need rebuilt at that price.
I went to check out the 401, and it needs lots of love. It's very complete. But from sitting outside, you can imagine the work it needs.
I just sold a complete rebuildable 430 for 150$ can It was in a car that I parted out that was still running, at this price, I wouldn't take the chance to by a 401 that was sitting outside, unless it did for a very short period of time! I really like 401 engines, much better than the 350, 430, 455 engines but in addition to the oil pan and engine mount issues, you'll have to get a 400 transmission with a Nailhead bellhousing and fit it too... If your car has A/C, the compressor will need to be replaced and other mods might be needed... The water pump's inlet is also located on the opposite side from the other Buick engines so it requires a different radiator...
nail head swap Welllllll, Guy, As much as I love a nailhead, I will have to advise you to go with the 400-430-455 series engine. To do the n/h you would have to change the radiator, transmission ,drive shaft, rear crossmember. all the brackets, pullys, ect. plus the exaust system. The later series engines will swap much easier and less expensive. You can always save the nailhead for some other project.
And The nailhead wiring is totally backwards from the 350/455 from a '70s Buick, it can be done, but not easy or cheap! Starter on opposite side, distributor in the back instead of front, wiring just doesn't work, so has to be totally rewired. I would stay with a 350 or 455. Engine mount, wiring issues, and trans connections all play heck with this idea! But it can be done, but not easy!
