I've always thought that the nailheads were bitchin' but I could never find one in the Corpus Christi area (South Texas). Well, I found one and I need some help from you Buick guys. The car is a 1965 Buick Special Stationwagon. It's in average condition: front seat is trashed, rear seat is perfect, the rear end is in average shape for a wagon. It has an automatic tranny too. Since I haven't driven it yet, I don't know the condition of the motor and tranny however, when I pulled the dipstick, it had been filled with new oil and registered above the full mark. The front tires don't hole air and need replacement. I assume the rear tires are weak too, but they do hold air. Question is: what do you think this car is worth in it's present condition? I have pictures of it but I have to wait for my son to get home in order to post them. If the above question is too much, how about a price on the motor and tranny just by themselves? I've been looking for one of these for a while and this is the only one available in South Texas. Anyone have thoughts about this? My alternatives include a 327, 350 sbc so the Nailhead is very attactive for a traditional hotroder. I hope this makes since but, if not, please post your question and try to answer it as best I can. Thanks, Aman.
Can you turn the engine over by hand? If not $500, if so $1000. YOu can get most of your money back by parting out the car after you take the engine and tranny out.
Well, if the car has the stock engine, it is a 300 cu.in. , which is not technically a "nailhead" , although it has the look. Still a good alternative to a SBC, tho. For a nailhead, look for the larger Buicks.
Nailheads have a rear distributor. Small block (and big block) Buick have front dist. It is most likely a 300 small block as was said. Trans will be a 2 speed Super Turbine 300. Not a huge demand for these engines and even less for the trans. The converter will fetch $100-150, as it is a variable stall speed converter and the Buick racers like them. Brian
Pretty decent engine (known in some corners as baby nailheads). Transmissions are just two speeds, but the converter is switch pitch type and is worth some dough. I might be interested in both the engine and trans if you are not.
nothing wrong at all with the buick 300 that is what i am running in my 27 rpu to bad its a 1965 earlier models had factory aluminum intake and heads. they are also realitivly for 300ci powerfull with 250@4800hp 335@3000trq
Don't part it out!!! Those are nice wagons. A 340 was an option in 65, I had one that I thought was a 300 until I tore down. I had purchased from the original owners son and they claimed that the motor had never been worked on. The 300's and 340's can run pretty strong with the right cam and tune. Drive it to Oregon, I'll buy it....
They are a neat little engine with some zing for a light weight car like trad27's T but I don't think I would stuff one in a full sized car. If the longroof was in good shape I'd choose to build it up as a mild custom and enjoy the room.
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