Nailhead Tranny question

I'm gonna be building a hot rod here soon and I'm trying to go with a 'period correct' car. A late 50's car could have a '53 Nailhead in it, so thats where I want to go with my rod.

So I have a question: What was the manual transmission, if offered, that went with the early model Nailhead motors?

I've looked around today and not found anything. Caddy was using a 4 speed 'Hydra-Matic' transmission in '53. So I'd guess that the BPOC group shared that tranny.

I've got a line on quite a few T86's that was the Mopar manual tranny of the time. It also used by Buick, well Jeep used the T86 when the Buick V6 was in the Jeep line.

 

RHD

The 53 to 56 Nailhead has its own bolt pattern 57 up Nailheads are different. I've been told the stock 56 stick bell housing can be drilled for Chevy 4 speed and it looks to be true comparing the one I have here with a friends Chevy 4 speed. The stock Buick pilot bushing fits the Chevy input shaft also. The stock auto on 50's Nailheads is a two speed Dynaflow, not much of a race trans.

Judd

 

In the late 50's and early 60's I had a 40 Ford with a 56 Buick in it. I used a early Ford trans. 40 to 48 with an adaptor. Bill Sangster

 

Buick transmission

In the 50's Buick offered a 3 speed manual in addition to the Dynaflow automatic, if you are going to stay with the torque tube driveline. Brian

 

try transmissionadapters.com or Parts 123.com IT would be hard to find a stick buick there almost all autos.Youll have alot of work to do.

 

Check out this URL

http://members.tripod.com/starchief57/techtips.htm#gear

JR

 

can someone answer a question for me? how do i post a question i'm new to this and trying to figure it out. Thanks

 

New Thread

 

You just did!:laugh:

 

buick tranny

I've got a couple of 3 speed Buick trannies. You have to use the torque tube and ball set up as was stock then. Steve

 

I've heard of people using older Ford trannies and converting to an open driveline instead of a torque tube, espically on banjo rearends.

Anybody know of a kit or plans to build a conversion setup?

 

I ve seen the nailhead to early ford trany adapters I want to say it was on parts123.com

 

what was the rear end on a mid to late 50's Buick and what ratio is it? Or is there a handy chart where i can look all this up myself?

Did it also use a torque tube? I'm assuming it does.