alright, i found a 64 riviera for sale for $350. no major rust. straight car. ac and power windows...doesn't run. seats are real bad...it has the original 401 nailhead. i really like this car. but i don't know anything about nailheads. i have been trying to gather info online but just get too many diff. answers. is it a good engine for a mild street performer. are they all forged(getting diff. info their too) can a 455 be swapped in with little no mods and is it economically feasable...although the nailhead looks awesome and is so vintage. i would prefer the nailhead...can the valve size be opened up at all to flow. help...please. too many ?'s thanx, greg
A 64 Riv should have a 425 as the original powerplant, not a 401. If it is a 401 it may have been a replacement. It is not an easy swap at all. Much easier is finding another 425 or rebuilding the one in the car if possible. Can you check to see what the two letter engine code stamped on the front of the valley pan is? It should be KW for a 64 425. KT is a 64 401 and KX is a 64 425 2 4bbl set up. If it has J or M as the first letter in the engine code it is a replacement motor. Others here may be able to give you more help on the 455 swap but I wouldn't recommend it. Larry
Welcome! Let's expand on the it doesn't run part. Rusted solid, turns over but won't start, starts but won't stay running ????? These old nails are great motors and there is more than enough expertiese here to get it running real nice. Nice find for that price too!:TU:
alright, the more i think about it the more i want to use the nailhead. the nailhead wont move. it sat for a while in the woods cause when the last guy pulled the tranny out he found that the flywheel was cracked or was missing some theeth. can't remember which. so it has been sitting ever since. he said it did start and run prior to this but that he never put it on the road. as far as which engine it is. it has the single four barrell carb setup. so i assume that it is a 401. the owner said it was too but we could be wrong. my idea situation would be to just clean up the block without boring, clean up the crank and rods and give it new rings, bearings, oil pump, etc. intsead of getting into a costly rebuild. i have a local guy who can clean up the heads but from what i read the valves should be left alone. the riviera is one sick looking car. buick was on their a-game when they designed this machine. i love the fact that when it is done i go to local shows people will pass up the camaros, chevelles, and mustangs and think "hey another camaro" but when they see riviera with a nailhead it will be love at first site. i am only 27 and i wish i would have discovered them sooner. thanx, greg
I am always in favor of rescuing a Buick especially a Riviera. You can never tell about a motor that has sat outside for a period of time or what may have been the actual reason it was put to rest in the woods. Possibly a running used motor may be a lower cost alternative in case this motor is requiring more than just freshing up. Good luck and I hope we here may be able to help you save this new found love of your life.
do u guys know about the stock setup of a nailhead...are they all forged or what? i know they are suppose to be strong. and why don't they make off the shelf forged pistons for it...or have i just not found them yet?
