Need help locating a timing cover for a '62 Wildcat with a 401. Anyone have one they want to sale or know of a good used one? Thanks, Nate
Anyone? I also posted in the parts wanted section, called TA Performance and Buick Bonery with no luck. Really looking forward to getting the ol gal going...
Paul Bowsher was reproducing these at one time. Do an archive search and see if you can find a reference to him. Russ Martin probably has some used ones. With whom did you speak at TA Performance. Here's a link to their website that shows they have new ones. http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_1530B
I talked to the lady that answered to phone, not sure on the name though. I repeated the question twice to make sure she understood what I was asking. She said they didn't have any in stock and are currently redesigning them and won't be available again for months (which to me says a year or more out haha). That was when I repeated if it was for a nailhead cause I didn't think there is much to redesign. How does one get a hold of Russ? Is he a member on here? Thanks
Try Carmen Faso too. He specializes in Nailheads parts, and the price may be better - 716 693 4090. He is near Buffalo, NY . Cheryl
Called both places today, Russ has a couple used ones coming in shortly but doesn't know the condition of them yet, got on the call list with him though. Also said he's not sure when the re-pop ones will be made again. Carmen does not have any of the later covers, but has a bunch of the earlier ones.
Got one! Russ just got two in, and both are already sold haha. Good news is, if you can wait a bit, after talking with TA they bought the patterns from whoever was re-popping them and are in the process of casting new ones again. They still have to write cnc programs, machine, and test a few prototypes... Time to get to tearing!! Thanks for all the help and contacts!
Does anyone know if TA is perhaps buying Paul Bowshers patterns? I know that the ones he was making would fit all series of nailheads. Ed
Well received the timing cover today, not sure it's up to my standards though. I'm on the fence with it. On one hand I realize it's a ~50 years old and didn't expect it to be perfect, but I don't like that it has JB weld in one of the passages so I have no idea how bad it really is. It's from Russ Martin, I would think he would be reputable... should I run it or send it back? I'm not in as big of a rush now that I've decided to put a cam it it too and haven't even picked or ordered a cam yet...
I have a '66 401 nailhead timing cover. I think it's in pretty decent condition. Let me know if you want it. Thanks
If it was expensive, I would expect a cover in very good condition without any repairs done. Best to give the seller a call and discuss it with him. ---------- Post added at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:35 AM ---------- The water pump mounting was changed... I believe in 1962. Some combos of pump and cover won't seal properly. Paul's repo covers will accept both late and early pumps.
My '59 Buick Factory service manual, Section 2-B, paragraph 2-4 (3) Parts interchangeable between 364 and 401 engines lists "Timing chain cover and gasket". Possibly these were altered later. It would seem to me that if you were able to identify the year of the cover, you could use the appropriate water pump.
What would you consider expensive? That is correct, the covers changed in '62 for a different waterpump, I've heard the reason behind the pump change before but cant recall right now. The timing chain covers are interchangable as long as you use the coresponding waterpump. (Atleast it's what I've been told/read, I've never actually done it myself)
