I picked up a scratch-built open roadster built in the late '50s in California that has a nailhead mated to a 39 Ford tranny thru a Cragar 309 adapter. The car was from the San Diego area and was raced on the desert around there in '58-'60. It has early Ford front and rear suspension. I would like to resore this racer, but first need to know what the Nailhead is --- probably a 322 or 364. Can anyone tell from the pics?
Here's the one we are building at work for our '57 Buick. '64 425 .040 over TA30 camshaft 276/276 Dur. 488/488 lift 112 sep. pocket ported 5 angle valve job SS swirl polished oversize valves Lots of EELCO stuff Edelbrock 6x2 intake 6x stromberg 97s
You will need one of these............... and one of these.......... Factory GS parts, I see them on eBay from time to time.....Chevy trans will bolt up.
OK, guys. I bought a 56 Buick beat up on all 4 corners. It has the 322 with factory 3 speed manual transmission. I plan on using the motor in my next project. My question is, will a later model 4 or 5 speed bolt up to the bellhousing? I have not pulled the motor out yet, seems like it is stored pretty good in the car. However I do need to start gathering up parts. Thanks in advance.
YES, but with a little work. The center hole in the bell housing must be bored out to the size of the front bearing retainer on the T-5 and the two bottom holes will have to drilled and tapped. 3/8 of and inch has to be cut off the guide the throw out bearing rides on , again thats easy and then the Buick has a real large pilot bearing in back of the crank, remove it and get a new one then turn down a Chevrolet bearing so it can be pressed inside the Buick one then tap it back in place. I did mine myself on a Bridgeport mill in about an hour. Works great. Been a running hot rod for three years.
I have this 401 and a adapterbell and parts to adapt a cad lasalle trans. Plan on putting it in a 50 chev sedan delivery with a ford van straight axle and a 3/4 ton chev rear with a a 538 no spin rear. I have all the parts just need a round to it! OldWolf
Our 1932 Ford Roadster with a 1963 Buick 401; dual 600cfm Carter Competition carbs, MSD, .486 lift cam, Sanderson headers, Muncie 4 speed, Ford 9" with TSD and 3.70 gears... First photo is from day we fired it up - second photo is first drive to Houston Roadsters breakfast - third photo is the car we visualized in our minds when we started with a frame, body, and rear end housing and spring.................four+ years ago. My 14 year old son and I did 97% of the build - with the exception of frame motor mounts and machining of Buick brake drums by Bruce's Rod Shop in Spring, TX; engine motor mounts, trans mount, pedals and clutch linkage by Bob Gleim of Bakersfield, CA.; and some really good advice from Jimmy Shine at So Cal Speed Shop in Pomona, CA.
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