Hello, I'm wanting to put a new cam and lifters in to my 425 nailhead. From what I can tell all is stock. Looking for something a little more then stock. Is there a cam kit out there? Did some searching with no luck. will be replacing the timing chain and gears and thought I might as well do the cam. Any info would be great. Thanks allot adam
Call Carmen Faso in Buffalo- he is a buick and Nailhead guru and sells cams, lifters, gaskets, all the stuff to hot rod the Nailhead 716-693-4090
How's about a set of "Adjustable Roller Tip Rocker Arms"!!!! On a stocker engine they are worth 40-50HP!!!!! Without changing the cam & all the "While I'm At It's" that come into play. Will actually cost less $$$$ before your done. And just changing the cam isn't going to solve the "Breathing" problems that is inherent with our "Ole Nails". Click on search on this board & type in "Toms Roller Rockers" to get actual users results.
Looks like I need push rods and more, due to found a broken one. need to tare the top apart to find 2" of rod that is missing. Help I need ?
I think I have a few stock used pushrods if you need some. Don't think I have a complete set though. As far as a 'bigger' cam, although they may help a little, until you go to a considerably larger cam, it is likely you won't notice much if any difference. The bigger factory grind cam is/was one of the best available, although the lift seems small initially. It seems that one of the best street setups would run the factory supercat cam or similar and a set of the roller rockers. DO the search for the thread and you will notice that they give a much more accurate ratio etc, etc.
All the '63/425's & very early '64/425's all had the wildest cam ever installed in a "Nail". I have pushrods, how many you need. I can also get you brand new ones. In fact I can supply you with whatever you may need. My new slogan, "If I can't get it, You don't need it". Also, of course, Adjustable Roller Tip Rocker Arms".
Thanks, will need to take apart to see how many I need and what else that might need fixing. How do I tell if the cam need replacing with out taking it out? What would cause a push rod to bend and brake? Thank you, learning still and loving it. Looks like I need 2 push-rod so far, lifter not the greatest, cam looks shot by the the looks of the lifters. Can anyone tell me what the silver looking stuff is?
What is the history behind that engine????? I have not ever seen one look that chalky inside. Has it been run hot??????? I agree , the cam is gone and the other valve gear too. I would say that it is time to pull it out and go all the way thru it. After you get the block and heads checked for cracks. i think you are going to find a lot more damage. Take care of the basics first by getting a good solid engine in it, then proceed from there.
I'm the 3rd owner, the last owner had it in the basement of his house for 18yrs and drove it very little. 82,631 miles. never over heated on me. Only put maybe 50 miles on it myself. The car great all the way up to the popping noise and rough running which happen in front of my house. When I did the oil change and valve cover gaskets, did this before I even drove it, there was alot of grey sludge on the passenger side. The pass side wass not getting much oil. I have no oil leaks nor water leaks. So I'm hoping no cracks. I get I have another project to work on. Need a Nailhead expert in the Northwest, Washington state, any out there? Thanks adam
Coolant/moisture inside the crankcase will leave a grey pudding-like film on the surfaces. It is not a good thing! Cheryl
Adam, If the grey stuffis very soft and greasy feeling then it is the lead deposits that was left in the engine from when it was run on leaded gas. I tend to think that is the source of the problem, given the history that you said about the car. The rocker shafts on nailheads are known to fill up with this lead deposits, and the area just under the shafts in the heads themselves. there is a vee that is under the rocker shafts on the very top surface of the head. You need to take the rocker arm assemblies off and dis assemble them . then pull the little welch plugs out of each end of the rocker shaft and then take a rifle cleaning brush and clean the inside of the shafts. Next check out all the rocker arms , clean them and the springs. oil all the parts up good and reassemble them in correct order and install new welch plugs and cotter pins in the ends of the shafts. Sounds like the car sat for years and the lead deposits settled in the rocker shafts and plugged them up. then when you started the engine there was no oil up to the rocker shafts and rocker arms. they finally seized from heat and lack of lube and busted the pushrods. Didnt do the valve stems any good either. There is just one way to get those old deposits out. Physically get in there and remove them. A lot of guys over look this problem. i have seen engines rebuilt and the rocker arms put back on and never a thought about cleaning the crud out of the rocker arm shafts. this is especially critical on any engine[nailhead] that has set up for a while with high miles on it. From the pics ,I would say that the engine was getting very little oil ,if any, to the rocker arms.
Thank you for your information! Agree on not much oil at lease on the passenger side, driver side looked pretty clean with no grey stuff and clean oil. will need to clean like you said. I need to find time now to play with it. Thanks again Adam
