I was just wondering how does a Nailhead compare to a 396 Big Block. I was at work and this guy said that my 401 didn't stand a chance against a 396 Big Block Chevy and that I should put that in my truck instead of my 401.
4, 5, who's counting :laugh: ? It depends - it's easier to build up a BBC and make more power than it is a 'Nail. There's more aftermarket support. But, stock to stock, a factory 396 could have between 240hp and 425hp. So, again it depends. A 'Nail is great for a nostalgic rod. But if your after a high powered street brawler, the BBC might be a better choice. You could use the 'Nail and still make big power, it'll just take more work and more money.
I don't want big power I want to make people go WOW!! when they see my engine. Big blocks in classic trucks has been done to many times there needs to be a change
Stock for stock, the Nailhead should be quite a bit better in the TQ department. For looks and the cool factor.....not even close. Nailhead big time. :bglasses:
Since you are looking for the wow factor, there are only three hotrod engines that get you there ( in my opinion ). 1) The classic flathead 2) A hemi 3) A nailhead. They each have their place in the hotrod world, but the flathead is only right in the correct vintage rig, the hemi is very expensive, over done, currently made, and best in a vintage mopar. The nailhead is more unusual, makes gobs of torque, looks great, and works for any rig. Big block chevy is cheaper to build but that's where the advantage ends to me. If you were going to do the chevy thing, you might as well go for the extra cubic inches and go 454 though. If you are going to look like the rest, at least go for the bigger engine. If you wanted to go cheaper than the nail, more modern design, you could look at a 430 or a 455. At least the observant ones would see that the distributor isn't against the firewall so it must be something different.
back when I had the original street car, I had a 401 that had a holley 3 barrel and a super cat cam, with cold air induction.,,,,, raced many 396 chebbys,,, never had a single one beat it.....never... I delighted in jumping on the 396 chevelles that were plentiful on the streets back then...
speaking of ford flatheads, they have an aluminum block out for them now...or in process of comming out if you want a wow factor...nailhead with a power adder weather it be turbo, s/c or both :-D
I think a stock 401 nailhead might out excellerate a stock 396 in a truck. I think it would be close.
I was talking with a guy just the other day that had a brand new `68 Chevelle SS 396-375hp car that he said nothing in town could touch until a guy came along with a `65 Skylark Gran Sport and cleaned his clock. He couldn't believe it. All he remembered was that it had dual quads on it. I told him that car didn't come with them and the guy no doubt added them himself, but he also may have transplanted a 425 2x4 out of a Riviera. I expect back then they were a lot more plentiful than they are now.
Back in the day,,, the big thing was low diff gears... I ran 4.11's but most guys around Houston were running 4.56 or 4.88 and a few 5.14s.... but 4.11 was about all I could stand on the freeway.... really makes a difference....
Shouldn't be any question then. Do you want cool or do you want to race it? If you go with the 396 you'll only have what the rest of the world is used to seeing. Go with the 401 and you'll have have people standing around it talking about how cool it is.
Some early 50"s GMC trucks had factory original nailhead 322's in them. Tell everyone it is a GMC engine. It will look like the old stock engine but will have a lot more grunt. Those truck nailhead engines had sodium filled valves to take the heat generated by pulling heavy loads. They had low compression pistons and may have had a different cam, otherswise, they were build much the same as the 53-56 Buick cars. It would be cool to find the original valve cover decals and apply them to your 401 (if they had decals). I have a MOTORS TRUCK manual at home that gives all the 322 truck engine specs. I'm at work right now though. My 65 401 GS was up to the task for old 396's. I spanked one with his buddy riding in MY car. He never said a word and was not friendly, oh well. I would do a nailhead in a heartbeat. Classic swap.
Just did a search and read that 55-57 Chevy trucks used nailhead 322 engines until the 348 chevy engine came out in 1958.
