I have always loved these old Buick engines and the very distinctive look they had. Back in the early 90's i worked on my good buddy's 1953 Buick Riv hardtop and it had the very first Buick V-8 "nail head". We pulled the motor to reseal everything, paint and detail the motor and engine compartment. It was all fun until the motor fell over on the engine stand. That motor was a real heavy pig, luckily there was no damage. That motor ran like a dream. Just in case there is someone out there that does not know what the term "nail head" means. The term refers to the very small valves that the heads had and remained so during the life span of these engines. These motors were torque monsters and very popular with early hot rodders.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
I had a 65 Wildcat with the 401. Mine was a little less crusty than the one in the vid, lol. Even with the small valves the 401 still didn't mind the revs, mine would regularly see 6000 rpm (I was 16)
Although the valves weren't the biggest, and the exhaust side of the heads was not the best Buick used one of the most radical cam profiles of the day to try to overcome the deficits in the heads. With the switch pitch TH400, 3.23's, and a posi that 4100lb Wildcat moved out quite well and surprised quite a few people.
I had a 65 Wildcat with the 401. Mine was a little less crusty than the one in the vid, lol. Even with the small valves the 401 still didn't mind the revs, mine would regularly see 6000 rpm (I was 16)
Although the valves weren't the biggest, and the exhaust side of the heads was not the best Buick used one of the most radical cam profiles of the day to try to overcome the deficits in the heads. With the switch pitch TH400, 3.23's, and a posi that 4100lb Wildcat moved out quite well and surprised quite a few people.
Rene, some great info there. A buddy of mine had a 64 Wildcat and his had the dual four barrels, man did she fly. These Buick's were kind of "bankers hot rods".
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
