Ok i have stumbled across several refrences to the Buick "nail head" and i have no idea what it is, i know it is a engine, but that's about it. I am finular with other buick engines, just not this one. As you can see i am new to the buick thing, and any help would be apprecated. eddie
Hey NiceGuy Welcome aboard. For an excellent article on Nailheads go to Yahoo Groups website and search Nailhead Buick then go to message 565. Enjoy the read. :beer
Here's a good link - http://www.ironhunter.net/stories/why_a_nailhead.html Enjoy, and welcome to the board!
A beautiful Nailhead. Nailhead is a nickname given to the larger V8 Buick motors of the late 50's early 60's. Named so because of their small valves and their upright position in the head. It looks like the valves where 'nailed' straight into the head.
aaah now i know Thanks all for the info, not totally in the dark anymore. After looking for parts on the net i have found that it must be hidosuly expensive to build one of these engines oh well. eddie oh check out ebay Item # 1869056897
Re: aaah now i know Here's a link to that eBay item. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&mfcisapicommand=ViewItem&item=1869056897 It's a '65 GS 'Lark, good project for anyone who's looking for one.:Brow: Hey Bill, Are those Webers on that tri-power nailhead?? That's VERY cool!:TU:
I'm not sure Robert. It was sent to me as an example of the power steering pump being located in a dfferent place as usual. In my 66 Electra it's mounted further to the right, more in line with the rocker cover. I've mentioned this before but I get a lot of very interesting Buick pictures as part of the regular mail at buickstreet. This engine came into my inbox a couple of months ago and has been my desktop wallpaper at home and on 2 machines at work since then which is quite an achievement for a picture as I used to change the wallpaper at least every fortnight. It's a beautiful motor, I agree. Bill S.
nailhead Where does one find parts for these eangines? I have been looking around, and can find only used parts for them. I guess not many people are still making parts?
Eddie, The Nailheads included: the 53-56 264 and 322, the 57-61 364, the 59-66 401, and the 63-66 425. The 53-56 Nailhead had a different trans bolt pattern then the later Nailheads, and the distributor is about the only thing from that engine that will work in the latter Nailheads (heads fit, but the combustion chambers are different). The 364, 401 and 425 all shared the same heads, and the 401 and 425 even shared the same crank and some external block casting numbers. The flange on the crank was changed in 64 to accommodate the ST 300 and ST400 trans instead of the Dynaflow, but the bolt pattern for the trans remained Nailhead only to the end. TA performance, Poston, Kenne Bell, Egge, The GSCA, Classic Buicks and PAE all carry some performance, new, new old stock or rebuilt Nailhead parts. There are also a few people out there that carry specialty parts (starters, roller rockers, big valve heads, 4 spd conversions) for the Nailhead. Half the fun of building a Nailhead is figuring out the combination and scavenging for parts! Anyone can make a 455 pretty fast these days in any number of ways. It is almost as easy as ordering a pizza. On the other hand, there are only a few cars in the 11s and 12s with Nailheads. If you dont like ready-made formulas, the Nailhead is truly challenging and out of the ordinary! The people on this site and others can point you in the right direction if you know what you are after. Cheryl
i just read the link on what a nailhead is..... i tell you, i did not know that buik had to basicly hold chevys hand through a whole era!!!! i did know that buik was up-scale to chevy. you guys are right, buik is not really known for preformance, untill my uncle showed me what a 430 was i had no idea that it excisted!!! i'm glad i ran into this site!!! i think i'll stick with buik power. now i really can't wait to get my car finished!!!
