Hi, I am new to the forum and getting into the middle of a new project. Last May, I purchased somebody's stalled project. So, I am finishing up a 1953 Buick Special Convertible. The car has already had a 1976 Camaro subframe installed. (Real nice job.) and a four link rear suspension with a later model 10 bolt. My initial plan had been to use a small-block Chevy with a 700r4. However, the more I thought about it, I decided I would rather use a Buick motor. I have located what is reputed to be a good running 425 with T400 out of a '65 LeSabre for $350. Won't know the real condition until I have it installed and have run it a few thousand miles, but probably not a bad price even for a builder motor. And its also good for the installation mockup. I want to set the motor up with an Offenhauser tri-power and most of the finned aluminum pieces. (I am after and early style rod appearance.) It appears that a small HEI is made for the motor. An adapter is available if I want to use a late-model overdrive. TA Performance has almost everything you need. etc. After reading the forum, most of the questions I had have already been answered. The initial questions I have is how hard are these motors to adapt into a non-stock (Chevy clip) style setting? What engine mounts are available? Am I going to have to build custom frame mounts? Also, will a 425 work well for a highway cruiser. (I have been on 3 different Power Tours with my GTO and want to take the Buick this year.) Thankyou in advance for your help. I am sure I will have more questions as I delve deeper into this project. Chuck K
Check that car/engine-I don't think Buick was still using the nailhead in LeSabres by '65-hopefully, the car is really a Wildcat/Electra-then you'd have the 401 or 425. Good luck on the project!
There is a yahoo group dedicated to the nailhead cars with many very helpful folks on it. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/NailHeadBuick/
Chuck Welcome to the group. The 425 or 401 with a Swith Pitch 400 with a low 3 gear would make an excellent cruiser. But if that motor has the distributor in the front your looking at a Buick 300 even if the valve cover are straight up. These where what was stock in the 65 Lesabres. Lets hope that dristributor is in the back with the valve covers straight up:TU: making it a Nailhead.
Thanks for the info guys. Went and looked at the car and motor today. The valve covers are straight up and the distributor is in the back, so it is a nailhead. However the air cleaner reads 445, so its not a 425, rather it is a 401. From what I read 425 vs. 401 doesn't make a bunch of difference, right? It is in a '65 LeSabre that was running until August of last year. In August, the owner of the car made an unfortunate turn in front of a late model Suburban which resulted in the driver's side rear door being repositioned to about 1/3 of the way into the passenger compartment. The car looks very clean under the hood. It has a 3 speed automatic and the switch pitch controller, so I assume it is the T400. The odometer reads 08XXX. Based on how clean the car was, it looks like the car had 108,000 on it. How long did the 401's last if taken care of? The guy that runs the wrecking yard is going to compression check it before he pulls it. What compression is good? Have another question. I want to use the Offy tripower. I have a trio of Stromberg 97's and a trio of Rochesters. The Strombergs sure look cooler than the Rochesters, but do they have enough flow to feed a 401? Anyone have experience on this? Let me know. Thanks, Chuck K.
The three Rochesters will certainly flow more than the three 97's. I believe the Rochesters flow about double the 97 in cfm. However, it sounds like you are more interested in cruising than all out performance, so either will work. Or get the best set-up and run a 6 x 2, with three more 97's. Run progressive linkage using the center two 97's as primaries. It sounds like the engine and trans you found will work just fine. Nailheads are very durable engines, it has many more miles left. Clean it up and drop it in that 53. Have fun cruising.
Chuck, How did you get on with that Nailhead install in your '53. Sounds like you paid about eight times less than you should ahven done for the motor - good on you!! What did you do to adapt the motor to the frame mounts? How did you go? best regards Nick Stratta
Nick: Haven't installed the nailhead in the '53 yet. Ended up not getting the 401 out of the LeSabre. Rather purchased two '63 Rivieras with one good 401 and Dynaflow for $500.00. After I sell off the Rivieras, how does free on the motor sound? What I plan to try on the install is to adapt Chevy engine mounting brackets to the 401 (Basically, I have to enlongate the two upper holes in the mounts and drill two bottom holes in the mounts) and then to use the stock Chevy frame mounts on the Camaro subframe if I can. May have to put spacers under the frame mounts. Do you still need the pics of my GTO frame? If it doesn't rain tomorrow, I can try to get them for you. Lots of luck on your project. Chuck
Oh Chuck this was you - just doing a search on nailhead motor mounts! Free on the other motor sounds fab - if I was near you - I'm in the UK!! I'm really looking to work out how to put my 425 in my V6 Skylark! If you are able to do some pics of your frame it would be nice and much appreciated, but only if you have the time. best regards Nick
Actually Nick, I don't have a spare Nailhead. I'm just going to end up getting my 401 for basically free. Wish I had a 425, but the price was right. If it isn't raining tomorrow, I'll try to get pictures of the frame for you. While it rarely rains in Arizona, its raining this weekend. Have fun,
Chuck, Raining in Arizona - incredible!! It's clear and sunny here in the Uk - strange world!! Actually, I bit off thread I know, but I'm looking for a pampered 1994 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham to buy and ship over to the UK. I know Arizona is a good state for such cars. If you hear of one please let me know. THanks for the pics when you are able to do them. best regards Nick Strattta
Actually Chuck Walt posted a set of pics of his frame in another thread I had I've attached the link here [finally managed to work out how to do this!] http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38180 It seems it's not anoter c-section or a flat plate at all but a whole new folded section welded over the outer edge. Now seeing it on the side I've figured out what it looks like from underneath. I was wondering what the triangular sections were and now I know. Thanks best regards Nick Strattta
Nick: Glad to hear your questions are answered. If I hear of a 1994 Fleetwood for sale I'll let you know. I have a 1994 Buick Roadmaster, (Same drivetrain, different body), but it has 114,000 miles and may not be as pampered as you are looking for. Good luck in the U.K. on your Buick. And I thought is was frustrating in the States to build a '64 GTO. You really must have stamina. Chuck
Hi Chuck, Thanks for looking out for a '94 Brougham for me. :beer The Roadmaster is a fine car - looked at a Roadmaster Wagon once, in fact a friend has one. Mind you 114k is just run in for a Roadmaster!! I need the bigger body because now we have 3 young children and we can't get 3 child seats across the back seat in my wife's Cadillac STS - or much anything else - apart from my Town Car which my wife has now nicked on a virtually permanent basis. This is the kind of Brougham I'm looking for - similar colour & interior, but it has to be a '94 becuae bringing a 10 year old car into the UK is much much easier than an 8 year old one. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...6149&item=2461644763&sspagename=STRK:MEBWA:IT Trying to restore an American car in the UK is not too bad, especially with the internet - boards like this one and parts sources like ebay. I guess a fair amount of aplication and stammina are required!! Best regards and thanks for your interest and assistance! Nick Stratta :grin:
