I've just acquired a 1955 buick nailhead with a manual transmission bellhousing. I am wondering what transmissions will bolt up to this bellhousing and if any of these transmissions are a non torque tube driveshaft. Hope someone can help me and thanks for looking!
1956-57 Pontiac selector 3 speed, Oldsmobile selector 3 speed early 50's- I believe 1960. Unfortunately that's about it, both are open drive units. Floor shifts are nearly impossible to find and even if you do, they ****! KK
I really like the 1937 Buick Roadmaster top-shifter transmission converted with Olds V8 internals with Olds open drive. The trans were I think from 36 to 38 bigger series Buicks They bolt right up, after drilling one hole in the bell for shift rod clearance. here is one of mine with Olds 324. EDIT: ... However, to use this trans with a Nailhead, you need to use a Buick input shaft because it is shorter than Olds. Roadsir on hamb, has one in a Nailhead powered 32 3w, using a Buick input and Olds tail. .
Thanks for the responses. I wasn't sure if there was anything worth a damn to put on there. I only have the bellhousing, no transmission came with the motor. Was thinking of just getting an adapter plate if nothing else would work or be easily located. The motor is going towards my next project of a 26 t coupe traditional hot rod.
like F&J said I am running the 37 Roadmaster transmission with the olds tail housing conversion. I drove the car for the first time last weekend. There's some research and work to go through, but I like the sound and feel. 19Indian on the HAMB used a Ford F150 overdrive, with an aftermarket bell-housing in his 26T Roadster It's a good ****** for Buick motors and works well. Were both up the road in New Ulm MN.
Not sure if they were still using the 264 Nailheads in '55, but the lower horsepower Buicks from the late '30s through the late '60s used a different trans than the higher powered models. The 5 bolt top cover and the 6 bolt top cover. The 5 bolt is better used as a paperweight than a transmission. the 6 bolt unit is stout. However, the bolt pattern is different between them and, in my experience, it is difficult to use a 6 bolt in place of a 5 bolt unless you also use the 6 bolt bell housing. Theoretically, you could use a Century bellhousing (***uming yours is a Special series) but they are not common. An adapter might be the better solution, unless you have the correct Buick bellhousing. For an adapter, check with www.transmissionadapters.com in Ham Lake, MN. Ray
Sorry Hnstray, the 5 bolt (one armed bandit) three speed which came with the 264's in 55 does not even do the job as a paperweight. The 37 "big Buick" true floor shift transmission is the one you need. You can't use the 5 bolt bell housing for the 6 bolt transmission.
Don't know about '55 in '56 they wee using a 322 and the one I have has a freakin dynaflo behind it. Stick cars were pretty rare in the '50s at least that has been my experience with '50s Buicks. I am pretty sure you can bolt about anything behind one with a little ingenuity, a stock ****** is pretty much all that is going to be a direct bolt on.
The '55 Buicks were available with either a 264 or 322 V8 with a difference of 50hp between the two. When a manual transmission was opted for, the 264 came with a different transmission and pressure plate than the 322 did. My '55 Special came with the 264/manual and the clutch slipped without very much acceleration at all. I had the pressure plate rebuilt, flywheel turned and a new disk, but the damn thing kept slipping. As I recall, the parts book from Buick made mention of installing different parts when upgrading from a 264 to a 322 transmission & clutch. I wound up installing a 401 with a better pressure plate and a ST-10 4-speed and an open drive, which solved all my problems with it and made it a fun car to drive.
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