Id like to put a 66 nailhead in my 71 skylark. Has anyone done such a conversion? Thoughts on feasiblity?
Hi, Yes it is feasible although may be a cheaper route to go to a BBB as doing a Nailhead conversion would require most of the same parts used on the 65/66 GranSports Motor mounts, Frame mounts, motor mount plates, rear sump oil pan and headers or GS manifolds Note too that the motor mounts are not available new just re-vulcanized used ones Good luck with the project, would blow some minds when you did pop the hood with a Nailhead sitting in there Jim
FWIW: I have a set of NOS Balcamp front mounts for a '66 nailhead Electra. I don't know if the engine mounts are different in a GS then in an Electra. If anyone needs them, I will let them go for what I paid for them. (They aren't listed in Parts for Sale because I am not really trying to sell them). If they will help someone out, I don't really need them.
This is a low mileage 401 with a dual quad set up. perhaps I can trade it for a real nice BBB? thoughts on value?
Sell the nailhead stuff and buy a BBB. I suggest you post the year (letter codes from front of engine) of the 401. If the dual quads are OEM they are worth more than aftermarket, and pictures speak a thousand words. Also include the intake manifold casting number and if factory AFB carbs, the stamped number by the passenger side front bolt. Others will have plenty of questions if this is a factory dual quad setup.
Actually, I would rather have a nailhead,,, I would go with a 425,,, switch pitch th 400,,, and a 3.42 gear or so.... it would be tougher than a BBB... the oil system is good as is,,, the cooling system is good as is,,,, it has forged steel rods, forged steel crank,,, there is a lot of dress up goodies available, and performance stuff,, plus it has 5 bolts per cyl. in the heads and not prone to popping head gaskets like a BBB is... in short it is a tougher engine , that has a bunch of tork and that is what moves a car... yes the BBB has more tork, but with a switch pitch trans, and a good gear out back,, plus a good cam and good carb system,,, you can make it run really strong:Brow: ....
If that is a factory dual-quad setup, you should get a BBB and some $$ for the nailhead. The factory quads have gotten stupid pricey - especially if they come with the factory air cleaner in decent shape. In fact, you probably should get a really good BBB for just the factory quads if they are complete.
Since this isn't a restoration, forget the hard to find expensive factory parts. Think like your building an old street rod. Speedway motors sells universal motor mounts for the nailhead. Lots of guys put them in 20's and 30's cars and don't have any factory mounts or exhaust manifolds. If you look at the mounts on speedway's site, you will see that they get cut to fit at the base and welded in. You may end up doing other mod's before you are done, but the cool factor would be worth it to me.
I have the exhaust manifolds and the tranny from a riviera. It is a factory 2x4 set up, mint OEM air cleaner and valve covers. Im not trying to make a racer just improve upon the dog motor in there (orginal 350 4bbl) and use what I think is a beautiful motor that I know moves well in a riviera that I pulled it from. Is the following correct? Iassume I need to account for: 1. Motor mounts 2. Tranny mounts 3. Speedo cable 4. accelerator cable 5. Cooling (radiator) 6. Repoint exhaust to meet nail head manifolds 7. Drive shaft made 8. fuel line reroute??? 9. Modify cruise control 10. Use NH AC compressor What about the oil pan???
I have (within the last year) seen a nice set of factory nailhead dual quads, with a really nice chrome factory air cleaner go for over $2,000 on Ebay.
Oil pan would have to be a rear sump and pick up.... almost certain.... tranny mounts most likely would work,,, you probably will have to move the cross member up or back.... you would have to change the front yolk of the driveshaft.... the spedo cable will most likely work... stock motor mounts might be able to be made to work.... you may have to build a fiberglass fan shroud like I did for my 65 lark gs..... exhaust manifolds,,, I would bet that a set of stock manifolds could be juggled around to work..... but you would have to get custom head pipes.... adapt vintage carb linkage, accellerator pedal and cruise control and AC....
It means if you don't have a rear sump oil pan and oil pickup on the nailhead, you will need to install them to fit the A body frame. Devon
Unless you have massive amounts of time the BBB 455 is by far the better choice. Not only for parts availability but it came in the 71. The nailhead is harder to make any power with and has nearly nothing available to keep it going. My opinion is to sell the nailhead and finance the 455 install with it.
If your objective is to go as fast as possible, I would agree with the above. From what you said, you should be able to easily get everything you need to install a BBB - including the BBB, for the Nailhead with the nice set of factory quads. If you want something really cool, and don't have to have the absolute fastest car within 50 miles, I'd do the nailhead. The Nailhead will be a lot more work though. And if Doc or Tom reads this, I'm not a traitor. I personally would do the Nailhead.
I want to do the nailhead but I also dont want have an overwhelming task. Do you know the answer to the rear oil sump question I posted above? Thanks. I also see you are local to me. Im in Norfolk.
AWWW, John, we know you aint a traitor,,, but I still aint sure about the cast rocker arm thing....:laugh: :laugh:
