Hello, Fellow BUICK Enthusist's I have an early 322 Nailhead. Where cn I get some Performance products to give me a little more "Get Up and Go". I'm looking for a complete 2 1/2" exhaust system to replace the factory duels and a set of Headers, as well as a mild cam and a 3x2 Offenhauser tri-carb intake. The cam I'm told will be real hard to find as will the headers. Any assistance or valued information in this area will be greatly appreciated.
Tom Vintage Speed ( www.vintagespeed.com I think ) shows 3x2 set up I want one! I got my Isky cam, valve train, and Offy high pressure oil pump spring on E-bay. I've seen header flanges for 322's on e-bay but I plan to run the stock 56 duals with glass packs. I've been told you can get a little more lift with later 401 rocker arms? One thing on the cam Isky recomends 100 thousands clearance and I only have 35 with the stock 56 pistons. Judd
Wow, Judd, Nice nailhead. Are the valve covers chromed or polished. I really like the chromed water crossover pipe and thermostat housing and spark plug cover, NICE TOUCH. You mentioned that you are going with stock pipes and glasspacks. What size exhaust do you plan on using? I think that I will use some Flowmasters. I have seen listed on e-bay the offey 322 3x2 but I was outbid while I was at work (those last minute snipers), but I havent seen and performance cams. I understand that other nailhead dress-up parts are available. Stiff like Finned Alumium Valve Covers, a Polished Aluminum Valley Pan and Spare Plug Covers. I thiink they are sold by Moon-Eyes and/or O'Brian Truckers. Thanks for the INFO on the Isky Cam and Vintage Speed. T/A Performance is into 400-430-455 Buick Stuff and Egge is into Origional Nailhead Replacement Parts. Is nice to Know that there are OTHER OPTIONS. Thanks Again
Tom I have repo stock duals and just had set of glass packs made with flanges to bolt in place of stock repo mufflers. The stock exhaust bolts together with flanges so I can change back to stock mufflers in about 30 minutes in the garrage. The covers on that motor are just painted with chrome paint to get an idea of what it will look like my chrome covers are on my 56.
Tom This motor in a 55 in Custom Rodder is the look I'm after with more chrome. I love the look of those 3 dueces!! Judd
Offenhauser 3x2 Hey Judd, The Offey and the 3 dueces is the way to go bot looks and performance wise. 2 4barrells would be overfueling. What type of carbs would you use? I don't know much about Stromburgs, but have heard good things about carter. With the Offey 3x2 you could use either type.
Tom I had 3 Strombergs on a flathead Ford in high school and the floats gave me trouble all the time. The GTO guys with 3x2 Rochester set ups didn't have trouble so that is what I'll run. I'll get Vintage speed to build the set up for me $990.00 plus $150.00 core charge for complete Nailhead set up with new Offy manifold and Rochesters rebuilt as 3x2 set up ( 1 primary carb and 2 secondarys ) fuel lines, linkage, and air cleaners. I don't think you can buy them and build the carbs for that off e-bay at current prices.
Offey Set-UP Judd, That seems to be a pretty good deal. I have seen E-bay set ups with a $900-$1,000 dollars reserve, but you would have to rebuild 3 carbs. I wasn't aware that the Offey Intake would accept a Rochester Carb. From ay Information the Offey Intake was set up as a 3 hole bore or a 4 hole bore to accept either a Stromburg or a Carter Carb. The Carter Carb is pretty simle and reliable, and unless I'm mistaken the Edlebrock Carbs on todays market are based on The Carters Carb Engineering. In the Past I have had good luck with Rochester, Holley and Edlebrock. This is a new experience for me with the Carter 2 barrel that is presently on my 56 nailhead, and a Stromburg is completely Foreign to me. You had a Flat-head Ford? You MUST have quite a bit of experience under YOUR Belt. The only thing I know about Fords is I would rather push a 5,000 lb Buick with and 8 inch X Frame and a Torque Tube than own a Ford. My Dad worked for GM in Linden, NJ for 35 years, till the day he died. He ALWAYS said IF any one asked him what was the best car on the market, regardless of money, he would ALways say buy a Buick. He told me that Buicks Enginering was better, the drive train was better even better than a Caddy. He alway said the Icing on the Cake was the Buick Ride. It wasn't only the long wheelbase, But the Fact that Buick was the only Division of the Big 3 that had Coil Springs on the Rear Axle, Instead of Leaf Springs. Buick was the only car of its era that employed the use of coil springs. Also the Nailhead will run efficienty on today's modern era pumped Gas.
Tom Not all that much experience! LOL I allways seemed to have Fords in my teens and twenties when I was last in to hot rodding I think just because they fell into my hand for some reason. Ford pissed me off with their quality in the eighties when I bought 3 new cars. The last truck I bought I spent $1500.00 more over the life of the loan for a Silverado Chevy instead of an XLT Lariate . 56 Buicks seem to be falling into my hand now and I like the different look of the Nailhead even more than a Hemi. Are you rodding a 56 Buick? Hear is mine I think I like the outside as it is maybe drop the front new paint and interior? Judd
Nice Ride Judd, I really like the color combination. I plan on rodding mine a bit, maybe dropping it 2" Wide whites and eventually getting a set of Kelsey-Hayes 40 Spoke wire wheels. The wires are getting to be expensive $400.00 to $450.00 a Rim. A used set on E-bay just went for $1,300.00 and some change, so I quess they pretty much hold their value. Fender skirts and a Continental Kit have crossed my mind, but ilike the body style so much that I'm not going to mess with it. What I really wanted was a Roadmaster by there aren't many around that were in my price range. I picked mine up for $2,800. For a chevy of that era I woud have paid $7,500 for an inferior automobile. Besides nothing sounds better than a "Nailhead" and has the unique nostalgic look all its own, and will walk away from a chevy or most anything on the road that was made in that era. The Buick was the perfect combination of Power, Style and Comfort. Since it has been parked in my driveway countless people have been making inquiries about the car. It really gets attention and it's not even fixed up yet. some body work,chrome and paint will do wonders. White Roof, Red Bottom. However when I repaint I will go with the White Top, Red Body, and White under the "Sweepspear". the interiot is 2 tone red and black. My 23 year old Son says I should paint it Dark Gray and Silver. What do YOU think?
Lowered '56 Hey, Judd. Is that photo of the lowered '56 a "photoshop" modified image? Somethin' looks funny around the top of the wheelwells/tires. Just wonderin'--:jd: ---Zach, '55 Special, model 43 ( 4-door hardtop). I want mine that low!!
Zach Yes it is my parts car a guy on the hamb list lowered it with photoshop. Here is a shot of 55 at Cruisin the Coast this year.
Tom I thought about Skylark wires but the wide whites are hard enough to keep clean. I got ta thinkin about polishing all them spokes and I aint so sure now. LOL I kind of like this red and white Century. My 56 has red and black interior also trim code 433, your lower dash red or black?
56 Buicks JUDD, Those are some Real Nice Buicks, That Super LQQKS fine, long and low. The NEW Kelsey's can be purchased with Stainless Spokes at additional cost of course. That makes upkeep a little easier. Along with the wide whites I was thinking about a 3 inch w/w in a P235x70 Radial and painting the origional rims red. I also need shocks...........What do you suggest? Should I use coilovers? Tom
TA Performance is always adding NH items. We are one of the few that offer early nailhead cam grinds on New blanks, not re-grinds. We have the re-production Buick Aluminum Valve covers in stock. And we offer two different header styles, long tube and shorty's, but I'm not sure if they fit the 50's generation cars, but we can find out. Plus we have brand new electronic distributors for them, as well as many other items. Dave
Beautiful ('50's)Buicks! Well, after seeing all the pictures you all posted of those beautiful '55-'56 Buicks, I am going to get rid of my ' 58 DeSoto, and buy my '55 Special back from my friend Ralph! Luckily, he hasn't taken delivery of the car yet, so, no need to transport it. I think I've finally come to my senses! Buick is the way to go, especially mid-fifties nailhead powered ones!:grin:
hot rod and custom supply has all the nailhead dress up parts. (www.rodncustom.com) Finned valley ,spark plug, and valve covers. The guy on the parts for sale page has progressive linkage for you 3 dueces i belive its northwest customs is his buisness. If you want to go balls out you should look for the 6 duce package. I'm not sure who makes them but I've seen a few around at car shows, and nothing is cooler than volocity stacks. Also try www.classicbuicks.com. One other thing you should get a buick parts locating guide it has everyone and anyone who has buick parts(1-800-MOTORHEAD or there web site is www.jalopyjoe.com.
