I was checking out some pics of the Don Garlits museum on another site and found this pic of a 425" that was supposedly prepped for NASCAR use by Smokey Yunick. Looks to have 'D' port heads (judging by the exhaust ports). Strangely, it also apears to have a generator mount rather than an alternator mount-unusual for a 64-66 motor as GM went to alternators by then(although the 'restoration' may not be 100% authentic.) Has anyone else heard of this? I am sure we would all like to know what is actually inside, and if in fact it put out 600HP ( or atleast close to it). http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=280248&d=1172070358 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=280249&d=1172070358 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=280250&d=1172070358 Does anyone recall any Buicks running the NASCAR Grand National circuit in the early to mid 60s? I know they ran well in the mid 50s, but don't have much info about the 60s.
Ya ever hear of Fireball Roberts? Like fireball v-8 buick? I believe in 61 or 62 Fireball drove a new buick painted smokeys colors, black and gold, and was successfull, then he went to pontiac then i am pretty sure he passed in a car wreck.....a little research and you could find out more...my uncle was a huge Smokey fan, and thats how i got interested in nailheads.....
FYI- Glen Roberts got his nickname for the fastball he threw in baseball! Fireball had nothing to do with cars or racing:Smarty:
I believe Roberts drove the 'M-1" '55 Century didn't he? I know he later went on to Pontiacs and did in fact pass in a race crash. Even so, I thought by 64 or so Smokey had gotten away from Buicks for the most part, and if the motor was making nearly 600hp, one would think there should be some info on the car(s) it was used in-assuming the motor got used for more than just testing.
OK, so i dont know anything about fireball roberts, just what my uncle told me, ya know how folklore and legends go....i CHOOSE to believe my uncles story,over facts...lol........ sorry for the mis-information....i do know this, Smokey raced nailheads for a while.....
funny i've have photos i took at riverside raceway with him driving a pontiac in the early 60's. google his name
I found a really good site for Fireball: www.fireballroberts.com as well as a site for the 1955 Century he raced www.fireballrobertsm1.com still digging for info on the motor though.
Looks like this is a conversation on the 'high performance nailheads' thread today. Guess if I had checked this site before the other I would have seen that. Oh well.
OTHER YUNICK PIECES ...HE HAD HIS OWN OCTANE TESTER AND HIS DYNO WHICH ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM. j.
I never realized how uncommon dynos were in the sixties until I read the Edelbrock book. Now days, seeminly every large race team or atleast their engine builder has a dyno for testing. From what I have read about Smokey, he had a very good imagination and didn't let rules stand in his way of performance. It seems that he was concerned with making horse power and making cars go fast-he did both very well.
My understanding is that it was common back then for 'stock class' racers in both NASCAR and drag racing to do this (as well as several other components) as they were not allowed any machining of internal engine components. But matching the closest (or exact) weights, lengths etc from different components let the builders come close to blueprinting and engine without any actual machining. In many classes, machining-if only to bring into factory specs- was illegal and cause for disqualification. Still, I don't think fully blueprinting any engine will nearly double its rated horse power. I doubt if blueprinting, balancing, and a 'general' cleanup in all ports and chambers could do it. Smokey was a very innovative man, I am thinking something more along the lines of an 'oxygenator' for the fuel system. NO forced induction is visible, high compression can only get you so much HP, so where does the extra 250-300hp come from???
What are the chances the museum will allow someone to pop off one of the heads to have a looksee. I am serious, Maybe someone local can get up with the curator and show him the interest we have in this engine. I am sure Garlits would go for it, just for the curiosity factor. As long as no damage is done to the engine and the paint is touched up, what could be the harm? It is not like NASCAR or NHRA is going to drop their platforms to go back to the Buick Nailhead, so the "secret" part of this is kinda null & void. Worth a shot, I think o No:
Great idea Tony!!!! BTW is this the museum in Ocala Fl? If so, I went there Mar. '05 on a wasted 1,200 mi. trip for the wort described car EVER :af: :moonu: :spank: :blast: . Got to see Ivo's dual N.H. dragster so- IT WAs WORTH IT!!!!! :laugh:
I live about 50 minutes away from the museum ...if somebody sets it up I would be up for taking pictures of it and posting here ..... i.e. with the heads off etc..........what would be really cool is to have a guy like Jim take a look at it ....J
Even if they let you do a tear down you might be disappointed. How do you know this is a 600HP engine. It might just be an engine Smokey had in his shop and didn't get to yet?:bla:
How about someone call the museum and ask about the details on the motor? Someone there should know something.
Heck, Ol' Smoke probably had that thing spinning backwards too! His biography is a real hoot to read. It should be required reading for any car guy. I work near Neshaminy, PA where he done grow'd up and I'm always wondering where his folk's farm was. His story really takes my time.
