Hello all Looking for pics of the motor mount set up for a '65 GS nailhead engine. Wether the pics be on the net or some you have to share..... Am starting to collect the needed parts for my nailhead swap so just like to know what I'm looking for looks like!! Thanks in advance Drew:grin: :beer
Another thing.... It looks to me like the large plate is used to offset the motor either forward or back? from the mounting position of a smaller engine that would mount directly to the crossmember. Would it be possible to make or have manufactured those plates? And could a person use another style of nailhead engine mounts...say from a '62 Invicta, to mount the engine? Just wondering, what do ya think? Drew o No:
Drew, The "plates" are used just to mount the nailhead engine in the a-body frame. Doesn't offset the engine to the front or rear. The nailhead was designed to be used in the Buick full-size car platform, and what you see is just the adaptation to the a-body, which allowed Buick to install the engine without using a different block casting. Just basic hot rod engine swapping. Someone in California makes those plates from steel, I just don't know who. Maybe someone here knows and can let you know. You still need to find the frame mounts for nailhead, as well as the rubber mounts which are becoming pretty hard to find. Hope that helps. Mark
Drew, Doug Betts in Turlock, CA was making the 65-66 GS adapter plates in steel. I think they were $50 a set. He can be reached at dpcp66@aol.com or at (209)668-1380. The frame pads look like the ones in the attached picture: Cheryl
Cheryl Thanks for all the pics!! They are sure helpful, at least now I have visual reference material. In another thread on this forum you added a pic of the back of a nailhead engine, would it be possible to get a front pic?If its no trouble. Because like they say...a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks Drew :grin:
Cheryl, Wow is that one pretty engine. I'm researching on how to put in a Dual Quad 425 into a '65 V6 Skylark myself. Could I use the adaptor plates between my V6 frame mounts and the Big Car engine mounts I got with the 425? best regards Nick Stratta
Cheryl, lease can you tell me about the frame pads - do I have to use Nailhead specific ones or can I use the ones already haven in the V6 Skylark? best regards Nick Stratta
v-6 FRAME PADS Those must be replaced! They are a light weight steel stamping, I don't think they will hold up to the 425 torque. I have to get a picture of this thing. George, Cheryl's engine has those bolts for the alternator bracket- Cheryl , did you use ARP bolts? Ted
Nick, The Nailhead motor mounts that come with the 425 bolt from the top. The motor mounts specific to 65-66 Skylark Gran Sport bolt through the side. You would need to fabricate frame pads and use the adapter plates listed for sale above to use the 425 mounts you have. That will only work if the 425 motor mounts have the same bolt pattern as the Skylark GS mounts for attachment to the adapter plate, and if you can get to the vertical bolt that would fasten the motor mount to the frame pad while it is under the header or exhaust manifold. Something tells me Buick put the bolt through the side on these mounts for a reason, and I would stick with that system even if you fabricate frame pads. There is a Chevy motor mount that is the same as the 65 Skylark GS, but needs the forth hole indexed and drilled. I can not remember the car this mount fits. Maybe someone else here knows of this mount. You would only need to fabricate frame pads if you found that part number and got a set of Dougs adapters. I have attached two pictures of the frame pad location for a 65 Skylark GS below. I hope that helps you out some. Ted, Those are the stock bolts painted black for a nice contrast. I have a set of ARP head studs, but they would not work with the alternator and power steering brackets. Several of them would need to be longer, and additional nuts would be needed. The only ARP bolts used were in the rods, and the rods were sized after installation. Cheryl
Cheryl, I was looking at the pics you posted of the gs motor mounts. I was looking at my drivers side mount, and it looks like the one in your picture. The thing is, I thought mine had been repaired, because of the funky looking weld that runs through it, but the one in you pic is the same. What is up with that? have both our mounts been repaired, or do they all look like that? Frank
I heard that the '62-'63 Chevy Impala mounts will fit but I have never seen a picture of them. :bglasses:
Common Bond Frank, The adapters just tend to fatigue in the same spot. We both have had the same repair. Just a couple of old warriors from the north with the same problem. I am fabricating a torque strap using a chain between the frame and back of the head. This will keep the engine from rotating up, and protect the mount and adapter. I think it is good insurance with the extra jolts of the 4-speed. Cheryl
