Hey Shoebox , That Red looks the nuts .,What shade of red is it ? I'm going to be doing mine in red soon ,prefferably with off the shelf engine paint. Yours is about the nicest I've seen. Thanks ,Bruce
I've got a nailhead build up question for you guys. My engine is a 264. I've got an Edmunds 2x2 intake and two Rochester 2g carbs on the way. Does anyone have experience with intake risers? Good idea, bad idea? I'm looking to add height to the engine so I'm also considering risers for the carbs and volicity stack air cleaners. Any opinions on intake and carb risers? Brands, place to get them, etc. Thanks. Todd
CTFuzz, I need to see some more pics/different angles on those pipes. Some sweet looking mills in this thread. These pipes.
Todd........................I read on one of the Buick sites that the risers under the intake actually decreased HP on a 401 with dual quads. Don't really know what it might do for a 264. It would be pretty easy to make aluminum risers for under the carbs though................Sorry I couldn't be more help.
The intake risers offered by Eelco are machined for the 364-401-425 head ports. They will be too big for the 264 ports. It is not a big deal from the intake to the spacers, but from the spacers to the heads will have a big step around all the edges. They did show a slight loss of power on a particular 401 build up. It was a healthy engine with a light weight rotating assembly, moderate headwork, big cam etc... It may or may not help on any given application.At this time, they are only offered in 1inch thickness. It will only add a slight amount of height to the engine. The intake itself is a fairly low intake when compared to the Offenhauser 3x2 and 2x4 for the nailheads. If height is your main goal, I would go with a different intake. I am not sure the Edmunds is any taller than the factory iron intakes at all. You would likely get more height if you used some adapters/spacers between the carbs and intake. Again, gains or losses are hard to say without actual dyno testing of your application.
That is a good start to a collection. If I could get down to that many I would have a whole lot more room in the garage. I am down to 1-264, 3-322, 2-364, 4-401, 1-425 plus the 401 and 364 in driving vehicles. I now have another 55 which will be getting one of the 401s, a FED which will get either a 322 or 364, a model A sedan which is getting a 322 and the start of a T-bucket body/model A frame for a 401. Now all I need is a mid 50s FOrd or Chevy truck to get a 401 to tow the railjob with.
Im waiting on a call back from a guy who is selling a 401.. Im completely out in left field when it comes to these engines..although i have seen them and always admired them..what can you guys tell me about the 401's..and what too look for and to be aware of? I am kind of an engine horder, but i got rid of most of the Chevy engines and Chrysler engines i had..I hope this guy still has this 401..I want to take my time playing with it..once I have my A done.. maybe one day it will be ready to go in the A..or another project further down the road.
Too keep it short and simple, the 401 is a great engine. The 64-66 cranks were designed to accept the sp/th400 torque convertor and flexplate (Buick nailhead only) the 57-63 364-401 cranks can be modified to accept them as well. Four speed Chevy type adapters can be bought new, and adapters for nearly every trans were offered throughout the 60s. The motors make gobs of torque, but don't breath well over about 5,500 rpm. Awesome engines for street cars where torque usually rules the stoplight grandprix. Many new parts are being offered, but like everything other than SBC they cost a little more to have rebuilt-mostly due to parts cost. A nearly stock 401 can easily tear apart most trans, and even a few rears if driven on the harder side. You would want a ST10, Muncie M21-M22 or Th400 if you plan on hammering on it. Zman tore the rear out of his 57 with a moderate built nailhead, I split the rear housing (twice) on my 55 with a moderate 401 and L78 bias plies. There is a 'nailhead' group on here with some good info and links to good threads, check it out.
Thanks DualQuad55 I will look into that..if the deal goes good..I might just end up a member of that group sorry to interrupt...back to the Nail Head Porn
Mmmmmmmmmm Nailhead, how did I miss this! I have a 401 that I am collecting parts for to power an A40 Gasser. So far the motor is 30thou over, stock crank, Gessler level 4 heads, Tom Telesco roller rockers, Shiffer Aluminium flywheel (NOS). I have a line on a Hilborn Injection set up that money pending will be mine soon. A TA413-401 cam, the only issue I have right now is Connecting rods and Pistons? I'm trying to find a strong set up what will push up the compression, with the TA cam and the larger valves no matter what pistons I go with they will have to be severley fly cut for clearance. Any recommendations from the Nailhead faithful? Doc. Doc.
mmm, i love nailheads I have A 364, a 322, and 2 401's, i just picked up the 322 for $125 at a junkyard the other day, it was already out of the car laying on the ground, i guess the guy yanked it out to get to the dynaflow, i looked at the motor and tried to turn it over, it turned no problem, so i figured what the heck! heres some pics of my nailhead speed equipment and the 401 in my 32 JEFF
heres mine just got the water pump the other day so thats going on soon all thats left is 3 carbs ???
I took these today...................not a HAMB car per se, but interesting never the less..........and a Nailhead!
the 1960 401 headed 364ci with Offy finned valve covers and triple Holley 94s on Offy intake in Pete Flaven's old car.
didn't read the entire post, so I hope someone didn't ask already, but... where... oh WHERE can I find a set of these valve covers?