The machine shop in FTW that had my 401 from my 4-spd hardtop was promising results, stalling, apologising and offering excuses. They finally came clean and told me that they sold out to a diesel shop. I got my engine back, and am looking around for a good shop to machine/rebuild it. I would like a guy with a lot of nailhead experience, and am thinking hard about putting a T/A roller cam and lifters, as well as Tom's roller rockers in it. I believe it will need sleeves, as its last build in the early 80's required a .060 overbore. I know Russ Martin and Carmen are two of the "big names" and don't mind shipping it, but don't know how busy or interested they are in taking on such a project. Do you guys have any other good names or advice? My project has been set back some months, and I'd like to get it moving along. Thanks, Dan
Dan,,, pard,,,,, any nailhead that has already been bored .060 over is all used up.....it would run hot real quick even at that bore..... and to sleeve all 8 cyls is going to be way cost prohibitive.... the machine shop should have told you that.... it will be far cheaper to find another good block..... personally , I would go with another block,,,, good hydrolic cam and Toms rockers.... less complex , less likely to fail.... go with stock buick specs in the clearances ,,,,, to me a nailhead with a set of forged pistons, moly rings, good hot normal type cam, and whatever induction system you want to use, plus all of the manifolds port matched, and a good ign system that gets rid of the points , would be ideal..... deburr, cut out casting flash, clean up , inspect, run taps into the bolt holes, paint, swab out oil galleys,,, rocker arm shafts ect.... buy a new oil pump and pick up screen....gaskets, oil,filters, paint, engine mounts, accessories, ect,,,, you can do all that yourself.....and those actions will cut your costs.....
How about our own Jim Weisse at TriShield? While he's not known for Nailhead builds, he sure does know his machining.....no doubt he could do it, and do it well. Besides, it would make a great thread here!
FYI I paid $1000 to have 8 cylinders sleeved in a 425. Don't know if thats good or not but I was most concerned about it being done to perfection and whatever it cost was secondary. I wouldda got another block but it was a number matching issue.
Good ideas here- my idea is AMP in Philpot, KY. Mike and crew are excellent to work with and have a dyno in house (with headers and flywheel for a nailhead I gave him :Brow: ) Carmen has all the parts but I've talked to him about building engines and he is not doing much of that. Ted
I spoke with Russ about building a nailhead for a local guy. I know he has a 425 block ready to be built all it needs is to be honed. I'd call him maybe you can strike a deal.
This is a numbers matching issue, so I am going to use this block. Roller cam is more for reliability with zinc-less oil, than for performance. Cheryl, is Carmen still building motors for the faithful? The builder needs to have a lot of nailhead experience, and a top notch machine shop, that knows how to miss water passages, and not grind off the numbers. Too, a nailhead specialist will have loose parts lying around, to replace out of spec pieces, if necessary. I also want someone who knows how to quote the work, and can get it done in a timely manner. The parts have already been cleaned and magnafluxed. I haven't contacted anyone for quotes yet, until I get a good idea from you all, who will most likely make me a happy camper. What about Tom Telasco? Thanks, Dan
:TU: :TU: He'll definitely know how to do it properly. I don't know who he uses for machine work, but he has mentioned a Gary in NY....
Dan- Carmen has told me he is staying away from building engines. Tom T would be a great choice as well.
I appreciate all of the input! I'll try to contact Tom. He would have no trouble clearancing the roller rockers, haha. I've also enjoyed his stories about surprising people with his nailheads. Dan
I can vouch for Tom Telesco as well. He is as trustworthy as they come and his reputation speaks for itself. One thing that sets Tom apart is that with his wealth of knowledge, he could easily have an ego but its just the opposite. The first time I spoke with him on the phone I was new to nailheads. He answered my questions in detail taking as much time as needed until I had no more. At that point I had never done business with him or indicated that I would. If I didn't understand what he was telling me, he would explain it in a different way until I did understand it while never making me feel intimidated. I met Tom for the first time last summer and can't say enough good about that experience.
Thank you Jason!!!! I feel it is an honor & a privilege to be spoken of in such a highly manner by someone such as yourself. I know that in ALL I do I try to do it RIGHT!!!! Not just get it done. Today it's all about the $$$$$. Sometimes it's not just about the $$$$$. Yes, the $$$ play an important role in life. But, I feel the integrity, honesty, values & ALL the other things that go along with them are MORE important. I LOVE what I'm doing as a hobby, but I've also got a business to run also with overhead & all the rest that comes into play. Tom T.
I must agree with you Jason. :beer I had the distinct pleasure of spending about 2 hours riding around with Tom at last summer's BPG Nats. I was just cruising around the pit area, when he just hopped aboard my golf cart to rest for a bit. Just to be able to pick his brain, and listen to the vast nailhead knowledge contained therein made the trip more than worthwhile. Tom, I am going to call you sometime over the next few weeks about some parts for my car.
X 3 on Jason Zs post about Tom. He and Buddy ... ... Rats! I am having a brain fart and can't think of Buddy's last name ... stopped by my house a little over a year ago. Both are great Buick guys. I bought a starter from Tom, and he helped my round up all of the stuff necessary to make my non AC-425 into an AC engine. Although the big Nailhead runs pretty well, I think that it could run even better then it does. I am going to try to connect with Tom T sometime this year and have him make it run the way I know it can.
Might have been Buddy George, a close friend of Tom's (and myself) who I had the pleasure of building (actually doing all the machine work on), a "Nail" for about 5 or 6 years back. I have one here from him now that's "up-in-the-air" for another build! Buddy runs a "Nail" in an early Henry-J (see the photo's below) excellent "pump-gas" runner with some very respectable timeslips! At the time I did all the machining I believe Tom's rockers weren't available, and came into the program at a later date. Buddy had Tom install the rockers after running with the "stocker's" and picked up some substantial times!! I'm assuming this is Buddy whose last name escapes you at the moment!! Tom's rockers are a defnite "must have" on any Nailhead, whether street OR strip! (Add) Stay clear (at this time) of any T & D retro hydraulic-roller setup, I still see a major valve spring issue on this platform! Use a factory "nylon" timing gear if you have the option?? Thanks, Gary in N.Y. P.S. To the OP here, whoever you choose to do your "Nail", make certain they use a block plate on the final hone AND also make certain they drill and tap ALL the oil galley plugs, I believe there are 10 altogether!! A good set of Ross slugs is also recommended! If you aren't going "dragging", most of the factory components (with the exception of the rockers) are fine!
