I've come across a '49 Ford V8 Flathead w 3spd trans. and also a '56 Buick Nailhead no trans. Both are priced really well but not sure which way to go. It's for a '30 Model A and I definately want some get up and go without a huge $$. I'd like a manual trans for the buick but not sure what sort of donor car to even start looking at. Thoughts??
buy both is they're a good deal and use one now.You can find the bellhousings and flywheels for the nailhead,i've had several.
Well, seems you pick the wrong candidates. Good power from a flathead is pricey and then you don't get but 150-174 HP. Nailheads make good power but mostly gobs of torque. Of course, from what I understand, that comes at a price too. I personally would go with the Nailhead for power, and they're cool looking mills to boot. Just sit down when you start looking at prices for speed parts. It's no SBC in the $$ department, but the cool factor is fantastic. The flathead is a great trad engine, but eyeball seering power is not their arena. Like singledownloop said, buy 'em both, they're each great in their own way.
I'd lean towarard the nail just because theres more power potential, but mostly because they look so damn cool. Not that a flatty doesn't...
Stock, the '56 322 made 255hp if I remember correctly. Swap in later 401 aluminum 1.6 rockers in place of the iron 1.5s, and you can up that a bit. 4-inch bore, so you can put in moly rings. Aluminum intakes show up frequently, but avoid the Offys. Pertronix makes a kit for the stock distributor. A set of headers will also help power: Scoop here on the HAMB made some header flanges that are great (I bought some), but you're on your own for the rest of the headers. With a little attention paid to details, a little clean-up in the heads, and a regrind cam, I see absolutely no reason you can't get 300+ horse out of a 322. Backing it will be expensive though: factory flywheels are hard to come by (but out there), and Scheifer aluminum flywheels are also to be found with some digging. A Trans-Dapt 322-to-Chevy bellhousing will set you back about $250-$300. There's also a Cragar 322-to-Late '50s/early '60s Ford 4spd adapter that pops up on ebay every now and then, too. Not sure how much they go for. Not SBC cheap, but probably better HP/$$ ratio compared to the flattie. Brad
Power plant depends on which trad era you're shooting at. That is if being period correct is what you're shooting at. The buick mill stock out of the box will way out perform the flatty, niether one will ever get you into the 7s I'm afraid. Maybe if you throw enough money at it. I'd probably go with the buick but like has been said both are pricey to build. Finding a ****** to back the buick up won't be as difficult as some have said. but unless you fall into a deal it will not be as cheap as say putting a Saginaw behind a chebby. But don't let us sour you on either deal, they are both good candidates and each has its ups'n'downs.
Thinking maybe the Nailhead is the way to go for some extra get up and go but kinda leary about finding a trans. Guess I'll just have to do more research. Thanks for all the info and more is always appreciated.
You say both engines are "priced really well". Linke Richard D says, buy them both, if you can swing it. When you ultimately choose one over the other, you can always sell the other at a profit to help finance building the one you keep. Porkn******'s comment that a stock nailhead will whip a built flathead is, for the most part, true. If the nailhead has no major problems (spun bearings, lots o' rust, etc.), you can treat it to an inexpensive freshening up, and spend the $$$ on a standard setup for it. The exterior boltons can come later, as finances improve.
saw your post . get both and use the flathead for agood swap . 95% of the parts you will need to freshen the buick you can get from napa . I did . including cam / lifters .I put the motor back to stock . ( CAUTION ) if the buick has not ben run for A long time DONOT START IT . YOU WILL DO DAMAGE TO THE PISTONS . buicks risk pins will freeze to the pistons after sitting take the heads & pan off & soak everything . My nailhead had 75k and was only .001 over max in piston clyr. You can buy all the part's you need for it and it wont cost any more than a s.b.chev . The buick will kick the *** of any stock motor out there cubic in. for cubic in. JUST ASK TOMMY IVO
Don't be leary at all about finding a trans for it--I was only trying to point out that the adapters you're going to want don't grow on trees. They're out there, and if you're patient you WILL find a good deal on one. A trans is easy to find--Ford or Chevy 4spd, or I guess even a T5. If you want to go auto trans, Bendtsens (sp?) makes an adapter. Again, not cheap, but if looking good was cheap, everyone would do it! I just wanted to warn you that you probably wouldn't find an adapter over night. All that being said, it didn't take me too long to find my Cragar/Ford trans set-up, and by always keeping an eye open and being lucky, I scored an NOS TransDapt Chevy 4spd adapter earlier this year for $135. And besides, NOTHING looks as good as a pair of chromed, OE stamped steel '53/'54 valve covers and matching chrome factory spark plug covers! -Brad
Of course I'd like to buy both but as always there's only so much $$. I'll have to check on the flattie ($750 cdn w trans, apparently good running cond.) and the Nailhead is so cheap I think I gotta buy it either way.
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