Hello, I recently had a very generous friend give me a 264 nailhead. He's rodding a '55 Special and opted for bigger and louder. I was wondering what you all thought would be a good home for the little guy. I like the idea of something old and small. Henry J, Willys Aero, Hudson Jet, Volvo 122 etc. Any other ideas?
A modified. Keep it light and simple. BTW, the 3-springer thread just bubbled up to the surface. Check that out. Gary
That chunk isnt even gonna remotely fit in the Volvo, I can tell you that much. SBC is VERY tight even after you cut the firewall. A nailhead is a non-starter.
I had a 364 in my '58 Roadmaster it pulled it down the road real well and made plenty of noise even through the stock mufflers (granted they were 10 tears old). I probably wouldn't do a volvo unless it was the '59 baby Ford. The other options are good as well as a model A coupe or a '34 Closed cab pickup or a '38 Ford. I could give you a list longer than your arm if you let me. I came home from the hospital in a '41 Willys with a 322, I am real partial to the little nail head. They sound hot rod to me. George let me get my hands on one and a '59 Volvo, it will be tight but I'll bet I can get in in there. Actually I did put a 283 in one and you are correct it almost take majic to make the little nail go in there.
That was one of his original ideas. I have to admit they don't get done enough. They are pretty small about like a croslry, but they are cool little cars. Had a chance to ge one for 50 bucks in '98 I am still kicking myself over that one.
Thanks for the ideas. 41 Willys would be cool. It seems there aren't many that aren't all "gassered up". How well do you think it would move an early 50's Chevy coupe? Deluxe/150/210.
Austin, Anglia, small sports car like Sprite, MG, etc? Don't put it in anything heavy, or you'll be disappointed.
The small Buick nailhead would be more than enough power in a lightweight vehicle such as a T bucket or Model A coupe or roadster.
Definitely an open engine compartment car like a T bucket, or a Buick from the fifties or earlier. I think the 264 will bolt into to a late 30s or 40s or early 50s Buick straight eight car, maybe the Buick experts can confirm this.
hey, a '54 Buick is no small/light car and they rolled down the road with the rest of them...the Dynaflow was a bummer, but a 264 cubic inch nailhead is plenty for say a 50 Chevy that had a dog of a 216..... Think..'Cool Motivation'...not, 'Who can I beat to the next light'....
Yep. Not looking to set any records, just something that will pull out of a corner. Right now I'm leaning Willys Aero or Hudson Jet. Just not sure how easy they are to find.
One of the Model Y Fords that look like a 3/4 version of the 34 Ford would be cool, if you can find one. I have only seen one locally.
Well, he specified the 122, its tighter that the p44. I briefly had a 122S when I was a kid. As you can imagine, first thing thing i did was measure it for a small block. Width is tight, length is too short, and thats sbc. Bout the only way you'd get a nailhead in there is just cut everything out and put a tube chassis under it.
Track T. Lakes style headers, with the inserts and turnouts. Oh, I don't know Nailheads well enough to know if the trips manifold will fit, but it would definitely look better with a high carb diet.
I think the hot sit up would be a '26/'27 roadster the Buick would be a killer ride in the light weight roadster and look real cool. CRUISER
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