Are there any modern headers with increased flow available that bolt directly onto a '56 Buick V8 nailhead? And what recommended cams would work with the '56 nailhead?
Hi (your name?). Not sure if the exhaust port spacing is the same on all Nailheads but you might also like to ask your question over at the NailheadBuick Group at Yahoo. Click this link to go there now... http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/NailHeadBuick/ Welcome aboard too! :TU:
No need to sit through the whole Russ and Ray show for that one. The early Nailheads (53-56) had round ports and the later Nailheads (57-66) had rectangular ports. Headers from one will not work on the other. Sanderson ( http://www.sandersonheaders.com/ ) may make a header for that engine, but their designs are for street rods. The Sanderson headers would not be likely to fit an OEM application, but it is a lead. Other then that, I am not aware of anyone making a header for these engines. The other options are to watch for a used set at the swap meets, or buy a flange kit (like this) for building a set. Try this guy for a camshaft. Carmen Faso may also have a nice cam for you or possibly even headers. You can contact him at (716) 693-4090. He is NY, and is in most weekdays. Good Luck - Cheryl
Cheryl, Rob & Bill, thanks for your feedback on the headers! My name is Andreas and I am happy to be a new member to this interesting forum. The information I have found so far on this site and the members' feedback is probably the most valuable source of info I have found to date. I have a '56 Buick Super with unknown mileage on the 322 nailhead. I picked up the car last Sep in WI and drove it back to VA while trying to keep the heat in check. As I started disassembling the front end, I found the oil cooler tubes kinked shut and the water housing thermostat inoperable. One thing leads to another and now I am taking the engine out. I am interested in refurbishing the engine while possibly making some slight technological upgrades, such as a Demon Street carburator, slightly more aggressive streetable Cam and portting the intake and exhaust. As you all have probably experienced yourselves, this project is starting to take longer than I originally expected. I believe it is better to do something right than quick, especially if I want to enjoy driving it every day. Attached please find photo from the early stages of my project. Looking forward to being a long time member of this forum!
Andreas Do you have the dual exhaust option offered on 56 Buicks? That will free up flow. Remove the heat riser plate from inside the passenger side exhaust if your in a warm climate this will prevent the manifold from cracking when the heat riser freezes up or the spring falls off. The tight fit of the stearing box will make headers hard to fit, you have to raise the motor to get dual exhaust manifold on even.
55=56 headers Nobody offers headers for early Buicks. The port spacing is the same for all headers but the ports are different shapes. Header flanges are hard to find with the correct round ports but could be made by a decent machine shop. I ran an old set of Belond style headers on my 55 (until I built a set of full length headers), the belond type are sort of a log style, all running into a single tube that starts at the front and runs straight back then down after the last port. If you can supply flanges, I could make a few sets for whomever needs them. Let me know. Joe
