Steve, you are absolutely right! When I was in my 20`s..50`s now I slid sideways into a large tree in a `65 Riv. I was knocked unconscious but when I came to I was draped over my buddies lap with my head toward the pass footwell. The tree was occupying what was the driver`s seat. The car was folded at a 45 degree angle...it wasn`t pretty. What made matters worse was the car was a typical midwest car, probably soft in the inside structure of the rockers. Buick made the rockers super beefy but that all goes away when they rust. I have seen these X frame so weak from rust that they will snap the windshield right down the center from the stress of the body folding around the frame. I always urge would be first gen Riv owners to find the cleanest car possible, it`s just not worth compromising safety no matter how good the deal is. Sorry for momentarily highjacking the thread but this is a point most folks dont consider about X frame cars. I learned it the hard way, serious business, Tom Mooney
Rob, In one of the first replies to your original question, you were given a link to an article that mentions what Russ Martin does when he overhauls a nailhead. If you go over to the Yahoo Nailhead group and ask, Russ will give you a reprint of that article that he has proof read and made a couple of changes to. It's a great article, but the author didn't have Russ proof read it before publishing it. You'll definately want to know about some of the errors that are in the published article, There's also a complete write up,with pictures, on rebuilding a nailhead on www.webrodder.com ( http://www.webrodder.com/index.php?page=showStories&search=nailhead) The only thing that the rebuilder does in that write up that not advised is the installation of hardened valve seats. Keep us posted. Ed
Rob, In one of the first replies to your original question, you were given a link to an article that mentions what Russ Martin does when he overhauls a nailhead. If you go over to the Yahoo Nailhead group and ask, Russ will give you a reprint of that article that he has proof read and made a couple of changes to. It's a great article, but the author didn't have Russ proof read it before publishing it. You'll definately want to know about some of the errors that are in the published article, There's also a complete write up,with pictures, on rebuilding a nailhead on www.webrodder.com ( http://www.webrodder.com/index.php?page=showStories&search=nailhead) The only thing that the rebuilder does in that write up that is not advised is the installation of hardened valve seats. Keep us posted. Ed
One thing that Doc usually mentions about the Nailhead is to be sure that you clean the inside of the rocker shafts. That is one place that will trap gook. You need to remove the end plugs and use a rifle cleaning brush on the shafts.
