Technical Looking for a reputable shop with experience in building a nail headmotor in the SoCal area.

Like the title states, I'm looking for a shop to rebuild a Buick nail head out of a 63 Riviera, the local shop here closed down last year and they all retired and there's nobody I know of close. Definitely will be willing to drive for a good shop, thanks.

 

Though you were all gung-ho to SBC swap that car

 

I personally never wanted to small block Chevy swap it. The customer did, And I finally got some reason into it.

 

I was just bugging ya

 

I kinda figured that thanks, ha ha.

 

What about Centerville Auto in Grass Valley? They are the nailhead guru's. www.nailheadbuick.com

I had all the machine work on my nailhead done at Bearing Service in Portland, OR, but that's much farther away from you.

 

I put it the word out on my end. You want it totally done or just machining?

 

I'd rather get it completely machine and assembled by somebody. It was my personal one, i'd probably want to build it myself.

 

It never hurts, to have a little humor, when trying to find, the proper machine shop.
Feel free to print this out and use it as you see fit !

 

RC Rose from Santa Clarita told me the last reputable engine builder around is QMP. How ever turn around is slow. https://www.google.com/search?q=qmp+racing&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
He believes H&H has gotten into Nailheads now?

 

Had a flat head built from h and h almost took a year, so no thanks.

 

Any GOOD machinist can do a Nailhead. Now you just gotta find one.

 

I used BMS in San Bernardino for the flathead in my '39 p/u and for the 302 for my '54 Ranch Wagon. Happy with both builds. Dave builds everything from stock stuff to LSR engines. The 302 took a while mainly due to supply issues but that seems to be the new norm. Don't know specifically about nail heads but worth giving him a call. IMO
(909) 799-7770
1904 Riverview Dr # 101, San Bernardino, CA 92408

 

My vote is also for Centerville. Most of the parts will be from them anyway, especially the crank adapter. I just finished my 401 build and I got most of my parts from them. Most of the experienced guys with these motors retired long ago.

 

Just looked up the drive for Centerville. And it's about 7 hours each way, wow.

 

There’s an easy grand in shop time not including fuel.

 

Correct on that.

 

@mctim64

 

He is the guru of nailheads. well right after his dad.

 

Went ahead and dug into the top end Because it had a lifter tick or a rocker arm noise or something? And that was the reason that he wanted to rebuild. found number 6 intake rocker missing the little
piece that goes on the end of the rocker arm. I can find a couple of complete sets of rocker arm assemblies. But I'm just looking for one, and I've got a wanted ad running right now.

 

Some of the foreign stuff I have played with uses lash pads just like that. There are companies that refurbish rockers and replace/reface lash pads

Just digging for you.

https://www.nailheadbuick.com/rocker-arms-pushrods

 

Nice find.

 

Centerville sells a rocker arm refurbish kit for $350. Comes with all new aluminum rockers and new shafts. The shafts are usually worn on the bottom. I have several used ones, will PM you.

 

Nail head buick.com does sell individual rocker pads. So I'm gonna call them as soon as I get to work this morning. I'll see if I can grab one from them. If not bangingoldtin is gonna help me out.