[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

A .040 bearing will not fail any earlier than a std. That is an old wives tail.
Thumper cam is a Chevrolet small block grind adapted to Buick. It won't work. Buick nailheads are a complete different animal. Has to have different centerline and valve events. A very long opening time for the exhaust, because of the long ports.
Isky has a couple good ones. These are streetable cams and stock springs are usable.

Rebuilding of the heads will include rebuilding of the rocker shafts and arms (expensive). Cut intake guides for modern .530 positive seals. Leave exhaust alone. They have no factory seals, but the exh guides need the oil.
Guides and valve stems are usually worn out. Be prepared for all new stuff.

Three angle valve seat and two on valve will improve power.

You cannot just bolt a 64-66 400 turbo to a 63-earlier engine. There are several different starter/flexplate/crank differences. Some combos can get expensive.

My very first car was a 56 Roadmaster. Then built a 47 Merc with nailhead, a 60 Studebaker 364 nailhead, 27 "T" bucket 322 nailhead, Ford Anglia/401, 64 Riv, 65 425 dual quad 425 Wildcat.

Presently have a 425/Isky/Pertronix/400 turbo, built for a 50 Studebaker pickup I'm doing.

[Petematthews]

Really an old timer i know was telling me the thumper cam was the beez neez... Not the mutha thumper but the thumper.... I went to isky's website but they don't have anything listed for nailheads, do you have a part number or a link?

I was expecting to replace valves, springs, guides and such but i wasn't sure if i should get into a three angle type work, these nailheads seem to be particular about certain things.

I know the super turbine tranny is going to require an adapter bushing, torque converter and the flywheel adapter from whichever car i get it from.


nice thats quite the collection of sweet cars.

Here are a few updated pictures, I've got the valves out of the heads.

[Petematthews]

here are some of the start pix

[Petematthews]

a couple more

[GSXMEN]

Originally Posted by Petematthews

Really. Nothing good about the thumper? My only other option is a cam from TA Performance. Any word on those?

TA Perf. is THE place to get V8 Buick performance parts. Mike's business is virtually entirely based on Buick performance parts.....both V6 and V8.

I'm not saying he's the only game in town....it's just good to support someone that has been so dedicated in improving the Buick engines.

[Petematthews]

Update : We've come alone way since march, we have found a complete 64 Electra 225 donor car for the 63, it has a 425 nailhead(rod knock) backed up to a super turbine 400, we're now swapping out the crank, trans, drive shaft and rearend. We had the crank ground .020 rods and mains. We picked up ARP rod and main bolts, got all new pistons .030, completely rebuilt heads, Blasted the intake manifold and gave it a fresh coat of black, blasted and painted the harmonic balancer, we got a holley carb, M.S.D 6A box and blaster coil, an aluminum water neck, Scarbird front disc brake conversion.... The stock pile has grown and we are that much closer to getting this buick on the road.

[Petematthews]

Not sure if we mentioned the new airbags from AVSontheweb.com they have some of the best prices. A couple pix We have two tranny's and we'll be making one out of the two in the RED case.