i just got a 65' riviera with the 401 cid nailhead. the motor is bone stock, and it needs a rebuild. so here's my problem; i love the "sleeper" look, so i want to keep the original look that the nailhead had right out of the factory, but i'm looking to pick up 25, 50, or even 75 more HP over the factory 325 HP. how can i do it? what are my options? do i need to bore it out to 425 cid (or larger)?
no, in 1963 the 401 was standard, then in 1964 gm made the 425 the standard, but in 1965 they switched it back to the 401. to bad for me. the air cleaner is stamped 445 wildcat, not 465 wildcat (as the 425 would have been). for those who may not know, the number on the air cleaner doesn't refer to the displacement, it refers to the ft-lbs of torque the engine makes.
That 401 will give you great seat of the pants feel. Not too many motors make that kind of torque at that CID. Free up the breathing a little and you'll be happy. 401 and 425's where made at the same time for quite a few years. 63 has a funky bolt pattern but there are adaptors around (eelco) I'll be using a 63 401 with a T5 in my 53PU next in line after the 38 and 48. See: http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/howto/4905/
aw hell, being nobody's really answered your question, i'll throw some ideas out there. stick in a cam from TA performance or another nailhead vendor, along with TA's shorty headers for the riviera. then slap on a factory 66 quadrajet intake. don't forget to have the works balanced. if you still have money to throw around, get some head work done. and lastly get in line for a set of tom telesco's forthcoming roller rockers. and don't forget to work on the ****** a bit, a decent performance rebuild with an aftermarket converter that will have a higher high stall and lower low stall. you'll have one helluva screamer for a boat.
ok, I do a 65 biscayne and get told it aint trad enough for this board and too damn new , how is a riv any diff , i guess you can flake the roof and it is ok???? build it man dont worry about it, it'll be a cool deal........
I'll help you spend your money... I 've got a dual quad nailhead intake going on the cl***ifieds tomorrow evening as soon as I run it in my ********y finisher tomorrow.
to dragrcr50, does your biscayne have four doors? the riv is a cool ride, nailheads are cool 50s muscle, and besides, if you say anything bad about a Riv, Patrick Swayze will kick your ***.
The Riv had the same body style from 63-65, so it's a shape that would have been seen pre-64. Not that it matters much. I just think the 65 Riv is the best looking factory 60's car bar none. It has heavy custom influence. If you jumped in a way-back machine and drove a shiney new 65 Riv to the 59 Autorama, it would look right at home. Try that with a 65 chevy. Of course, none of this says a 65 chevy isn't cool, it just isn't hamb.
well fact i just got rid of a contenetiol with HYDROs i say HYDROS 3 pumps 8 batts 14 wire wheels real D knock offs I love RIVs & like them best as LOLOS
Ah , isn't hamb, if you like a 65 somethjing its hamb if you dont its not hamb, i think that is hamb in your eyes, not mine, but mine will kick the **** out of the riv anyway , ..........see ya at the drags in my hamb racer
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