Hot Rods Wildcat 401 Nailhead in a '57 Chevy

I had a mild 1958 283 with 4 deuces planned on going in my '57 Chevy, but I just picked up a low mileage 1966 Buick 401 Wildcat. Would be different and instantly more power then the 283, a lot more. What do you guys think?? I could run some dual quads on it, make up some fenderwell headers, finned valve covers etc..
-Dean

 

Go with the Buick

 

It's been done, so it must work. I remember a '55 Chevy w/ nailhead featured in Hot Rod magazine in the late 50s or early 60s.

In the Syr, NY area back about that time, a local guy, Frank P. Kline, built a couple Buick-powered Chevvies. The first one was a '49-ish fastback with a 322. He adapted it to the original Chevy 3-speed column-shift and used the stock torque-tube driveline.

He later did a similar conversion on a '55 Chevy 2-door post, only this one had a sideshift Buick trans with a home-built floor shifter that had a goofy non-standard shift pattern, the Buick torque-tube and rear end. Can't remember how he did the rear suspension, if he left it leaf or changed to Buick coil, but the rear wheels were a couple inches farther back than stock because of the driveline length. It looked odd, but with big rubber, the effect was minimized. The motor was a 401 with six 97s and made an ungodly roar when he banged them open.

So, my vote is "go for it." It'll be work, and you can get more HP from a decent SBC that'll drop right in, but "why be normal?"

Frank C.

 

Pros-
The 401, would definitely be more attractive to look at especially with all it's accouterments!
Definitely more torque and power!

Cons-
The only problem might be some interference with the starter, steering, and header on the drivers side!
Speed parts can be spendy!

 

Go with the Buick. I always liked the idea of putting one of GM's luxury engines in a base chevy. For some reason I have been having dreams of a rocket in a mid '60's chevy truck....

 

Go with the Buick for all the reasons already posted. They're cool, it will have lots more power and look better doin it. If you're building a hotrod than what better way to do it than to put something in there that wasn't supposed to be there. Just my .02

 

It does work well as a friend of mine had an early '60s Chev pick up with a 59 Olds 394 in it. Oh and it wasn't a hot rod it was a work truck used to pull a landscaping trailer. And pull it did you could probably pull a house off its foundation.

 

Go with the buick.

 

Buick all the way! as far as starter interference, didn't Cragar and Hildebrant offer a starter-flip housing?

 

Holy Shit that blue 55 is awesome!

And yes--be different: Go with that Nailhead Buick.

 

I like the buick, but what are you gonna run for a trans? The adaptors I have found standard or automatic are expensive.

 

I was thinking of just using the Buick 3spd auto that is behind it now. I don't mind automatics myself, the '57 has a TH350 in it now, but it would be easy to just shoot the 401 and trans in one shot. The engine has 79K miles on it and has been safe in a barn for the last 30 years. Stock it makes 325hp and 445 ft lbs!
-Dean

 

Buick. No reason not to, and every reason to. Go for it.

 

I am in complete awa of your car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here's one from the back of a '63 hot rod mag. Was this actually a somewhat popular swap? Looks like your car is drag style anyways, it fits. Go for it!

 

66 Buick has a SP400 trans, hard to beat that combo

Canuck

 

Hell . . . you already talked yourself into it - could tell by your post I think it would be a much more unique and fun car with the Buick.

Now if you really want to push everybody's buttons a bit - just drop a blown & stroked 392 Hemi - now that is some real run! Not saying you'd be the first - but an early Hemi in a 50's Chevy . . . I like that! I may be a biased Bastard - what the hell, if you're gonna go different . . . Go Big!

 

Buick for sure!!!
Will be cool.....
And speaking of cool, that blue chevy rocks !!
(Is that Ford trim on the sides?)

 

Yeah I'd do it, and the 3 speed sounds like the best plan if you have it as a combo. I am gonna do it. I just got a 62 401 with a dynaflow out of a 54 ford truck.

 

Go with the 401, I am.

 

It'd sure be a mind blower. I LOVE seeing nailheads under any hood. I got one waiting in the wings for a car.

 

sbc

I think people trying to be different is boring!!!

 

Gotta go Buick. I did a 322 into a 47 Chev coupe, and actually swapped the complete driveline into the car. I was even able to run the stock manifolds. I dreamed of putting a 401 in the car, but sold it (to my eternal regret), when I went back to university in 1962

 

I don't know about that Dynaflow, there was an old joke "go slow with a Dynaflow" I'd spend for an adapter.

 

I am a Chevy guy ! and I would put the Buick in , why because I like messing with the up tight "a holes" that say "I cant believe you did that!"

 

Go for the Buick!
Buicks, of any displacement, make plenty of torque and the Nailhead is a great looking piece. I still wonder why more folks don't put Buick engines in pickups that are used as trucks. The 70's 455, with an alum intake weighs the same as a sbc and has 2x the grunt. Go figure.

.

 

Who the hell would put a Nailhead in anything?????????

Go for it, man!

 

I'm with ya on this!!!

 

the nailhead is your friend it would been cool and cool looking too