IM looking for an engine option for my '30 A coupe...found this 1965 Buick LeSabre with its original V-8...the owner cant tell me much more than its an autotrans ,four door hardtop. I know Ill have to make the trip to check it,but,maybe you could help me with some info,and how to i.d it... Engine size?Is it very hard to find parts?Rebuild it? Hard to adapt different trans? its is a beautiful engine,and I dont want to give up and run a sbc...but am kinda of lost here...thanks.
Either a 401 or 425 nailhead. Dual Quad engine is HIGHLY desirable but I can personally attest. they are not cheap! In fact your basic replacment rebuild kit is more than 3 running 350's combined (1500 clams) But you have to ask yourself about the 'Neato' factor because they really are. TONS of Torque There are misc. adapter companies out there than can adapt to the BOP 400 and the chevy trannies. NOS adapters used to carry them over to the chevy and ford lines maybe even some caddies. Stick and Autos. For the most part, they are limited to a .030" oversize for the rebuild. And bearings are somewhat limited too. And a '65 Hardtop in Brazil? That's AWESOME! Those cars ran real well from the factory in a heavy car!
The ****** on it would be a SP or ST 400, which is TH400 with a regular or switch pitch converter. All the auto adapters are to adapt the Chevy bellhousing pattern, but not needed since it has a fine auto anyway. Bearings limited? I have had no problem recently getting Nailhead bearings, (thanks Glenn). The bottom ends are super stout and all forged. The limit to .030 is a good rule without sonice testing, but there are plenty of 401's that have gone larger.
I have a four door hardtop, a 62'. From my research, a hardtop car has no post between the front and back doors and a sedan does. Check out this site. lots of good buick ID info http://buicks.net/index.php
If it is a LeSabre, IT IS NOT A ANILHEAD!! Buick used a smaller 340 CID I think, something or other with rocker covers to look like a Nail, but completely different: distributer up front, later BOP trans flange, etc. I parted one of these out recently. The are supposed to be a good engine, and if the car has the "400"option (tag on the rear quarter will read "LeSabre 400") then it came with the nifty switch-pitch turbo 400. If so, be careful to keep all the wiring on the accelerator linkage which controls the torque-converter as well as kick-down. I don't know what kind of performance is available, but Buick did make both a 4-brl and a 2-brl intake for these. These bodies are the same as the Wildcat, which DID come with a Nailhead. Happy wrenching,
I was going to mention that possibility. In '65, if the distributor is in the front, it's a 300. 340s debuted the following year.
To help you I.D. your Nailhead, these codes are stamped upside down on the front of the engine on the same surface the the serial no. is stamped. 1965 401 LT 401 Riviera LW 425 LX I hope this helps. George
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