My dad asked me to find him some books on how to build up a 425 buick..i have looked on the web..but havent found anything..i maybe looking it up wrong..but i have found alot of books for other motors...does anyone know of any performance build up books for the 425??
There are no books.... There is an article on webrodder that's ok, but isn't exactly what I would recommend... http://www.webrodder.com/ There is also the "Build a Better Buick" article from Rod and Custom. http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/howto/4905/ http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/howto/4907/ Again I wouldn't go strictly by those articles though they have some good info. The shop manual for the particular year Buick will also have a lot of great info... If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.... there are a few real Nailhead fans here, I'm one....
There is only one current Buick book that I know of: http://www.postonbuick.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=BRO70 It has a small amount of Nailhead info in it, but concentrates more on the second-gen Buicks & the Turbo V6 engines. Unless you are interested in all Buick engines, I wouldn't spend the $$. A shop manual would be a better investment. There was also an OK article in American Rodder some years back- I can probably find it tomorrow if you like. Also trying to remember if Street Rodder ever covered the Nailhead in any of their year-long builds in the late '90s. I recall the early hemi, Cadillac, Y block, FE, Olds, etc., & I thought there was a series on the Nailhead as well....but I'd have to look tomorrow to confirm/deny, as their web site doesn't go back that far. Maybe someone else will know.
What kind of street terror? The Nailheads are torque monsters and don't really spin to high. You can build one that'll make a ton of torque but they're not high revving horsepower motors. Carmen Faso makes some killer Nailhead cams, he doesn't have a website, he doesn't take credit cards, but he'll talk to you on the phone and give you the real deal scoop... J&C's PARTS Carmen Faso 7127 Ward Road N. Tonawanda, NY 14120 (716) 693-4090 The shop manual is way better than the poston book. Not much there. Doc's articles on Webrodder may be the same ones that ran in American Rodder... The Street Rodder article is pretty ass backwards which is why I didn't mention it, you really need to understand the Nailhead to build one right, it's not a SBC and can't be treated like one, it doesn't work... I have the Street Rodder series but you're better off with the info from Webrodder and Rod and Custom....
Hi I have a spotlite book called HOT RODDING THE BUICK Buick engines from V6 to 425 It's from 63 if you want it give me your address and I will send it to you. Rob.
Z, The American Rodder article was pretty short- 3 or 4 pages- I think it was a Ken Myers build for Gary Molina. Typical mag article, more of a parts list than anything. The WebRodder article to me looks the same, or substantially the same, as the Street Rodder series- I remember some of the same quotes & captions. For future reference, what are some of the errors? It's been a long time since I messed with a Nailhead & not too much in depth at that, more carburetion work than anything.
Thanks for the info...I'm getting it to him as fast as i get it...The street terror he is looking to build is for a stoplight to stoplight purpose..if it goes that far...he is looking to go rattle the cages of some import and mustang guys when he runs across them.. He has a 39 chevy p/u with a built inline six right now that has put the fear of god into some of them...i guess he is going to build another project...keeps him young
Joe Mondello of racing fame with Olds engines is a great engine builder, I'd check with some one like that. I believe he has moved to the Paso area and has a shop there. Good luck, Rags
Just a few things... If you're going to have anything done to the heads besides a valve job have someone like Gessler do it. http://www.gesslerheadporting.com/ He's very familiar with the Nailhead and what works for it... Do not under any cirumstance try and put hardened seats in the heads. You'll ruin the heads and they don't need them. They have relatively low spring pressure and high nickle content. Use a Buick 3.8 V6 neoprene seal for the rear main to replace the rope. And a Buick 455 neoprene front main seal to replace the rope seal in the timing cover. The bottom end is all forged (crank and rods) no need to try and spend extra money there, it's plenty strong. Nailheads like plenty of carb, the best choices for pure power right now are : the Edelbrock B262 Dual-quad, rare runs around $750-$1000, the '66 Nailhead Quadrajet manifold, runs around $200-$300, use with a '71 800cfm Quadrajet for the best results, the stock Dual-quad manifold, $200-$300, the Offy stuff is pretty poor performance wise without a bunch of work. But all in all a stock 401/425 in a relatively light vehicle will surprise most of the stuff out there....
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