Think I found a guy locally to rebuild my 425. Name Boyd Breaux, anyone heard of him? Said he actually used to race a nailhead of his own . With Tommy Ivo no less! We spoke for a while and he seems to understand what I want to do. A couple of questions: He said he could do the heads. Any reason not to let him do them (save on shipp. to some of our better know guys) ? I'm concerned he may not know how to get the most out of them. Anything I should SPECIFICLY ask for ? I want whatever That CAN be done to BE done to these heads. Secret tricks of the trade? I understand the short block is pretty straight forward, but don't I need to have flow #'s before gettin' my cam? Anything else I should do in a particular order for maximum performance? Types of springs, oiling problems? I've been told that the Nailhead doesn't have the oil probs. that the 455 have . Missing anything? Advice appreciated. This car will be for street , and would like a little rumble but want it to be streetable . What now? Thanx in advance. :beer
Then pay the shipping and stick with Ed Mosler, Greg Gessler, or Jim Burek. I'm also a firm believer, deeply religious in fact, in forged pistons. Don't screw around with cast or hypers. The extra money for forged is CHEAP INSURANCE (yes I was shouting).
Nailhead rebuild I think that I would stick with someone well known with the rebuilding and head prep of the nailhead engine. Most engine builders will have a preferred engine because they race them, NASCAR Teams like Hendricks, Jack Roush, Richard Petty have stuck to thier brands, and have put thousands of dollars in R&D to make these motors run like they do. This ain't no chevy. How many reputable nailhead builders are there?, not really a whole lot. Aftermarket speed parts are out there and if someone was to put an engine together for your street/strip project with parts that are borderline is to say the least, there are production shops and quality control shops. This should be a one time investment. Every engine head will have different flow characteristics to make it sing, and the nailhead has a far different port and valve design than other motors from that era. Head porting will make or brake an engine. Stick with someone who's been there, and not with someone who wants to be. And the quote- ( SECRETS OF THE TRADE ) caught my eye. I would have to side with John on this one.
