Anyone running a 6 x 2 on their 401/425 Nailhead?

I have a 65 401 Nailhead that I am currently building. I am pretty set on using my Drag Star 6 x 2 intake from Russ Martin. Anyone running the same thing? And what kind of cam grinds are you using? I would prefer to use a more lumpy and relatively rougher idle cam,.......but I also have been told that too much cam is not good for these open plenum design intakes. T/A performance seems to have some good grinds,.....but how much is too much with my intake? Your examples would be appreciated. Thanks Ted

 

call or e mail Russ Martin, if anybody knows what works best with his 6x2 setup it is Russ....buick rodder

 

I know that seems like the obvious answer,.....but I have talked to him twice in the past and my brother talked to him about a similar cam question just this morning. He is the master of Nailheads,......no doubt about that. But,.... because cams are so difficult to understand,.....a lot of what he said made sense but I was still left wondering which cam was best for my motor. I was hoping if the Hambers running the same combo as me could share there successes,.....it would make it easier for me to absorb. Thanks Ted

 

There is a lot of 6X2 on the site. I have one, but not on a Nailhead. First, how do you envision running it - straight up, or progressive? There are many onpnions on here, but with your cubic inch my opinion is that straight linkage is the way to go. Having said that, many of these intakes - like your Drag Star - , have no, or very small balance tubes. They were intended to just run WOT. To idle and behave well, you need a strong vac signal through the carbs to get them to meter well. You can improve that some by using a 1 1/2" - 2" carb spacer. But in general, your desire for a lumpy, rough idle and that manifold will not be very street friendly - assuming that this is a street driven car?

 

I want something that would have occasional or limited street use.
So I am by no means building a cruiser. My Model A will have the motor slammed back in the cowl about 8-10 inches. My car is being built for my own tastes and is by no means being built for comfort. This car would not be a daily driver any more than I could imagine Dave Lohr's amazing DDS Coupe flying down the interstate. A gasser is closer to my build than a street rod. This is why I am interested in a cam that is on the larger side,......but not too large for my intake. So,......will the car see occasional street use....? Yes. Thanks Ted

 

OK. I assume stick shift? If so, go for it. With a stick, a hige idle or needing to clean it out, won't get in the way. As to a specific cam for your nailhead, I'll leave that to someone else. I will close by saying that I hope you don't mind pulling carbs apart - a lot - while tuning.