I keep falling into the same problem,i recently bought a oil press. switch for my `65 GS and Cars Inc. sent me the wrong one,the same happened when i used to own my `65 Skylark again from Cars Inc.,can someone shed some light on where i can get a "correct" oil press. switch for my 401? Thank you
o No: George, I was able to get one direct from my local part store, You may try TA performance. If you can't find one I will check on one for you. Let me know. I was going thru all of this same stuff a year ago, so be patient, keep searching and as the movie Field of Dreams had a line that said" If you build it they will come" "They"in this case meaning parts. Take care George. Bill Bailey
Bill,you know what sucks,when i go to like pep boys or a couple of other auto part stores there computers only go back to 1968-69 and some dont even have books to go further back and it pisses me off man,it annoys me,do you know the thread size if its 1/8 or 1/4? Thanks
The Buick p/n for the switch is 1359289 and is listed as 1960-66 all big motor and 61-63 215 V8. It does not say what size the thread is. I looked at both Autozone and Advance Auto Parts websites and they do not cross reference a part number. Does not mean there isn't one, just not listed. Why not try this. A good gauge set would be a smart idea. Auto meter makes nice ones. Use a "T" fitting at the block once you get the correct block thread on one end and then get the "T" with the thread size of the standard 455 switch thread and use that switch. This way you will have a good gauge and the light. Just a suggestion, Mark
George, I don't have a nailhead motor to check the thread on, so I can't help you there. Memory says it should be 1/8 but it would be best to take the old switch out and they try some of the fittings that came with the new gauge. Then you can go to a plumbing supply (Lowes or Home Depot) and get some fittings to do the job. What I seem to recall is that the switch was different in that is was pretty long as it was in the back of the motor. So you would need a long pipe to attach to the block and then adapt the T fitting to it. There should be someone out there who knows for sure. Haven't worked on Nailheads in years and the memory gets fuzzy. Regards, Mark
Mark i just finished installing the oil gauge and switch with a tee,what a mission man,do you think they could of put the switch in a better spot than on the rear of the engine?what were they thinking??anyways,the oil pressure reads about 39-40 is that normal?i have like 80 in my 455 at high rpms and it reads about 20 @ idle on the nailhead,is it sufficient?its an all stock engine still has the points in there also? Thanks
George, the pipe thread is 1/8 th. I am going to re do my unit. I purchased a 1/8 th pipe fitting with both ends male about two inches long, I also purchased a T fitting that has the correct female connections for my sender and for my oil pressure gage. I Have had a problem with being able to tighten the original set up enough to stop a tiny leak due to the clearence between the block and the fitting. This new set up will allow everything to clear and be tight. Your oil pressure sounds good. I have around 3050 miles on my 401 and it idles at 650 RPM @32 PSI and hits 40 PSI about 2000 RPM. How many miles on your Nailhead? Take care George. Bill Bailey
Bill,i have no idea how many miles on my motor,i recently bought the car so who knows??it runs strong though,but pressure goes up very very slowly,is that normal,im used to my 464 thats why i`m asking? Thanks PS-What a pain in the ass to get the tee to tighten up in that small area.
George, I agree with doug on the oil pressure, and I really agree with you about the small area to work with for the oil sender. I still have that ahead of me. Take care George. Bill Bailey
My oil leak is not coming from the area of the sender. It is definatly coming from the oil filter cover assembly. A week or so back, I ordered the gasket for the cover assembly from two sourses, one was GM parts department here in town, the other was from NAPA. Neither gasket was correct. I made a gasket from a kit I bought at NAPA, still a tiny drip. Today I tried to fix the tiny drip by removing the filter cover assembly and and using a fine stone to true the mating surface of the assembly and now I have a larger leak. I even tried a stop leak kit with no luck. I am on the lookout for a new oil filter cover assembly and correct gasket. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I will post again in the parts wanted, and I will make a call to TA on tuesday. Better luck to you George. Bill Bailey
:TU: Thanks to Michael Garrison, I have one coming. I guess I will have to make a gasket? Take care all. Bill Bailey
