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Buick Nailhead: How to Rebuild & Modify 1953-1966
Learn how to rebuild and upgrade your Buick Nailhead with the first book ever dedicated to the subject!
In this all-new book from Nailhead racer and veteran engine builder Gary Weldon, you will learn everything you need to know about how to rebuild and upgrade the venerable Buick Nailhead engine. Weldon takes you through each step, including a review of the birth of the Nailhead, the benefits of its unique design, serial and casting number information to source and identify the best project, and a history of the engine in development. Also covered are the processes of rebuilding, including disassembly, inspection, sourcing the best parts, making critical upgrades, reassembly, and break-in. Of course, all the machine shop work is covered, and practical advice on building engines for competition is provided.
The Nailhead was a throwback to the early overhead-valve engine design, and that unique design makes it a popular choice for period-correct hot rod projects. In addition, if your torquey Nailhead resides between the fenders of a Buick Special, LeSabre, Invicta, Roadmaster, Riviera, Century, Skylark, Wildcat, or Electra 225, this book will help you keep that old beauty on the road.
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Chapter 1: Nailhead History
New Era and New Engines
Intense Competition
The Nailhead Design
Early Nailhead Pioneers
Chapter 2: Why Build a Nailhead?
Sourcing Parts
Parts Interchangeability
Transmission Options
Nailhead Upsides
Light at the End of the Transmission Tunnel
Engine Dress Up
Performance Parts
Parts Selection and Consideration
Mild Performance Building
Additional Performance Upgrades
Chapter 3: Identification and Parts Interchange
The First Nailheads
Casting Numbers
Engine Production Codes
Transmissions
Bellhousings and Adapters
Engine Parts Interchange
Chapter 4: Disassembly, Evaluation, and Establishing a Plan
Safety
Tools
Disassembly
Evaluation and Establishing a Plan
Final Observations
The Plan
Chapter 5: Cylinder Heads
Experimental Heads
Porting
Rocker Arms and Shafts
Machining
Powder Coating
Final Assembly
Chapter 6: Prepping the Block, Machine Work, and Preassembly
Additional Tools Required
Prepping the Block
Selecting a Machine Shop
Connecting Rod Preparation
Piston Assembly
Boring and Honing
Deck Height
Compression Ratio
Checking Piston-to-Valve Clearance
Pushrod Length
Piston Rings
Engine Balancing
Preassembly
Chapter 7: Assembly
Fasteners
Short-Block
Cylinder Heads
Camshaft and Valvetrain
Timing Cover
Intake Manifold
Harmonic Balancer and Flexplate
Distributor
Chapter 8: Break-In
Engine Preparation for Break-In
Chapter 9: Building a Nailhead Racing Engine
Getting Started
Rotating Assembly
Pistons and Compression Ratio
Oil and Lubrication
Redirected Coolant Flow
Camshafts
Hilborn Fuel Injection
Cylinder Heads
Driveline
Final Thoughts
Appendix
Source Guide
Learn how to rebuild and upgrade your Buick Nailhead with the first book ever dedicated to the subject!
In this all-new book from Nailhead racer and veteran engine builder Gary Weldon, you will learn everything you need to know about how to rebuild and upgrade the venerable Buick Nailhead engine. Weldon takes you through each step, including a review of the birth of the Nailhead, the benefits of its unique design, serial and casting number information to source and identify the best project, and a history of the engine in development. Also covered are the processes of rebuilding, including disassembly, inspection, sourcing the best parts, making critical upgrades, reassembly, and break-in. Of course, all the machine shop work is covered, and practical advice on building engines for competition is provided.
The Nailhead was a throwback to the early overhead-valve engine design, and that unique design makes it a popular choice for period-correct hot rod projects. In addition, if your torquey Nailhead resides between the fenders of a Buick Special, LeSabre, Invicta, Roadmaster, Riviera, Century, Skylark, Wildcat, or Electra 225, this book will help you keep that old beauty on the road.
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Chapter 1: Nailhead History
New Era and New Engines
Intense Competition
The Nailhead Design
Early Nailhead Pioneers
Chapter 2: Why Build a Nailhead?
Sourcing Parts
Parts Interchangeability
Transmission Options
Nailhead Upsides
Light at the End of the Transmission Tunnel
Engine Dress Up
Performance Parts
Parts Selection and Consideration
Mild Performance Building
Additional Performance Upgrades
Chapter 3: Identification and Parts Interchange
The First Nailheads
Casting Numbers
Engine Production Codes
Transmissions
Bellhousings and Adapters
Engine Parts Interchange
Chapter 4: Disassembly, Evaluation, and Establishing a Plan
Safety
Tools
Disassembly
Evaluation and Establishing a Plan
Final Observations
The Plan
Chapter 5: Cylinder Heads
Experimental Heads
Porting
Rocker Arms and Shafts
Machining
Powder Coating
Final Assembly
Chapter 6: Prepping the Block, Machine Work, and Preassembly
Additional Tools Required
Prepping the Block
Selecting a Machine Shop
Connecting Rod Preparation
Piston Assembly
Boring and Honing
Deck Height
Compression Ratio
Checking Piston-to-Valve Clearance
Pushrod Length
Piston Rings
Engine Balancing
Preassembly
Chapter 7: Assembly
Fasteners
Short-Block
Cylinder Heads
Camshaft and Valvetrain
Timing Cover
Intake Manifold
Harmonic Balancer and Flexplate
Distributor
Chapter 8: Break-In
Engine Preparation for Break-In
Chapter 9: Building a Nailhead Racing Engine
Getting Started
Rotating Assembly
Pistons and Compression Ratio
Oil and Lubrication
Redirected Coolant Flow
Camshafts
Hilborn Fuel Injection
Cylinder Heads
Driveline
Final Thoughts
Appendix
Source Guide
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