Hey all - figured I'd finally get around to posting this. I've been lurking the HAMB for a while now, and I'm not sure how long I've had this account, but its time to post. I'm a 23 year old recent college grad, just moved to Charlotte from lovely Shelton, CT. I have a degree in mechanical engineering and one in computer science, though I like to keep the two more or less separate. I've got 3 classics, though I suppose none of them are old enough to talk about much on these here boards - 1966 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, a 1966 Chevy Corvair Corsa, and a 1965 Buick Wildcat project. I'm crazy about traditional hot rodding, and I'm warming up to the idea of adding technology to older beasts. My first real project that the boards will hear about is my Nailhead build - yes it's for my '65 Buick, but I'm trying to build it in the style of the old rodders, with fins and chromed this-and-that and all the rest. I'm not sure what else to say. Ask me questions, yell at me, do what you will! I'm here to learn. Feel free to peep some pictures of my cars here: http://motorheart.net/gallery/
welcome from Wisconsin.Nice Wildcat!! Gotta luv them Nailheads! Ive got a 66 Wildcat myself. When you get a chance, PM me and maybe we could share a little more info
William - can do! The Wildcat's a resto-mod type project. It had a 401 nailhead in it when I got it, and I found out the block was cracked, at which point I think I went crazy. New block is a 401ci bored out to 409ci, forged and domed pistons, ported and polished heads, custom ground schneider cam, 2x4 intake with 2 edelbrock performer 650cfm carbs, custom fabbed equal length headers (in progress), pertronix ignition, blah blah blah -- the list goes on. The toughest part of that project is the transmission. For whatever reason I'm convinced I need to get rid of the TH-350 and put in a stick shift, so I'm going to buy a Tremec TKO500 5-speed transmission to keep up with the torque it should make. This means that I need to find a bellhousing that will work to couple them together. Turns out that's pretty tough. Then we'll look into disc brakes, upgrading the rear end, and body work... of course, I need to win the lottery to get this thing painted. I was quoted $20k to do the body work, and it really only needs the fender fabbed and some minor dings straightened out. Looks like I'll be learning how to paint!
Wow! Sorry to hear about the org. block.Sounds like what you got in there is beefed in all the right places. Ive been considerin swapping out my tranny also. I know theres a bunch of people selling adapters to line up different trannys to that block. Ill find the name of a couple of those sites and send them to you. What were your thoughts on cold air intake for the Nailhead? I found a company called "Spectre" that makes universal cold air intake kits with dual snorkels,hoses,etc... for carb'd V8s and Im thinkin of doin that if I cant find an air cleaner off a GS that I can afford. O yeah, that single chamber drum system on mine was fun when one of my hard lines sprung a leek. I was only moving the car up the driveway when it happened(pheew!) so I thru it in park and prayed for the best! And no, my parking brake wasnt hooked up at the time. I plan to do the disc conversion as well in spring so whoever fucks it up first can give the other a heads up,hey? So heres a heads up for ya now. A functioning parking break is cheaper than a tranny,disc swap, or a crashin! good luck and keep me posted.
That'd be great, thanks! To be honest, I hadn't given it much thought. There's certainly plenty of room in these old engine bays to route up whatever you'd like. If anything, I'd probably just make my own. A good trip to home depot can make a slick cold air intake, especially if you're creative about it. First order of business either way is a dual master conversion. I did this on my corvair when I first got it -- not only is it super easy, but its peace of mind that to me is pretty much priceless.
TH350? That thing came stock with either a ST400 or SP400, basically a TH400 with the Nailhead bellhousing pattern. The SP400 has a dual range torque converter. Bellhousings for manual trannies are only a phone call away. http://www.transmissionadapters.com/Buick Bellhousing.htm
Ah, I guess I lied then. I suppose the bell housing does make the difference, eh? Its the same internally as my caddy, which I believe is a TH400, too. I was going back and forth on that, its been a few years since I rebuilt it. Thanks for the link! That looks promising. Any experience with these guys?
Welcome from Matthews ,where I both live and run a shop . I like your 'Vair ,had a flock of them years ago...might try to get to get another one. Steve (V7)
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