Hi everyone...Yea I'm a new guy...I have a '65 GS midnight blue, convertible, 3-speed (1 of 123 I'm told...). I bought it in the fall of "97. Anyway, I have installed club headers, Pertronix ignition, new GS club cam (new stock cut to 212-224/114), also installed n.o.s. lifters and export HD true dual valve springs. The car's performance has increased nicely...but my question is this... How much more can I do to this engine to blaze it up without spending mucho dollars? I also have the original correct carb (professionally rebuilt and replated). Fuel line has been increased from the OEM 5/16 to 3/8. One more thing that I know I can better is that my exhaust was changed to be all 2 1/2 inch but the muffler shop couldn't get his machine to make the sharp bend around the rear axle when doing the tailpipes without kinking...so it remains 2 1/4. Any suggestions for more HP???
:Smarty: Hey, Sirroderickgs. Check out T/A performance, they have headers for 401/425 nailheads, and also should have mandrel bent exhaust systems for that '65 GS(I think). Check out: www.taperformance.com. Also: look for Torquetech exhaust products. I'm not sure if they're on the web or not, but have nice mandrel bent exhaust systems as well. You know what would look really cool on that ' 65? A three duece carb set-up! (If you can find one, and have the $$$$$$). Although, you'd probably get more ponies from a single or dual quad set-up.
Torque Tech: http://www.surfsouth.com/~torque/ *Home page: http://torquetechexh.com/ I prefer the TA mandrel bent exhaust, but TT is a good alternative. TA has better looking ex. tips - they're cut off at an angle (level with the ground).
:TU: SIRRODRICKGS, Welcome to this forum. I will share with you something I did to my 65 GS 401 auto. I replaced the Carter AFB with an Edelbrock 1407 750 carb. I also replaced the air cleaner with the one suggested by Edelbrock to match the carb. I was surprised at the amount of punch that 750 added to my engine. My friend John Everett advised me of this swap and said to "let that engine breath" by this swap, I am glad I took his advise. It was an easy swap, but I had to really dig deep to find out how to get my auto trans to shift down to first. I saved the original stuff I took off the engine and carb for later in case I want to go back to more original set up. How many miles on your 401? Welcome again, and stick around, these people on this forum have been a life saver for me. I would have given up and sold my car a long time ago if not for all the help in every situation I have faced with it. I am thrilled each time I drive it to work. I now have put 2,285 miles since complete overhaul. Take care. Bill Bailey
Way to go Bill!:grin: There's nothing like toolin' around in an old (cool) Buick! I'm looking forward to getting my "baby nailhead" in my '55 Buick Special on the road, after eight long years! She's got the 264 c.i. nailhead, which I fully rebuilt two years ago, but haven't had the time to put back in the car. I've also had to rebuild the DynaFlow. Maybe I'll eventually swap in a 401! But the 264 will do for now. Go Nailheads!
thanks for the replies guys... Do any of you know of an adapter bushing that will allow for using later model carbs (like this Edelbrock 1407) with the original air cleaner that has a smaller diameter???
What can you expect from your 401? Quick before they are gone get a copy of issue #1 of The Build Sheet which is the Buick Perfromance Groups magazine free with membership. It has in it Bob Quigg's 66 Lark GS which turns 11.64 @115mph.Had the pleasure of seeing it run at Englishtown and that was so awesome to see this old bird turn faster times than a new vette. Forgot to introduce myself while watching them do work between roundsou: As for the spacer problem you'll have to buy what is available then modify to your needs. Thats what HotRodding is all about. Love my Nailheads!!:beer
