401 Buick NailHead

The 401Buick produces 465 lb of torque all Bucks list the torque on their air cleaners. These are smooth running torque Monsters. And cool looking too .


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And you joined and posted to tell us that? Are we missing something here? Perhaps the same info avalible to you isn't to us? DUH! I never heard of Wikipedia! And IF,,, Note I said "IF" the nailhead Buick was as popular today as it was then we just MIGHT,, I say MIGHT know that.
Thanks for the education! I'll sleep better tonight knowing that.

Yes they were, but didn't survive. I'm sure there's lots of reasons for their demise, but knowing large manufacturing firms as I do I'll wager it had more to do with manufacturing cost than a lack of performance. Although they weren't known as a high revving engine they certainly did the job of moving a luxury sedan with smoothness and surprisingly high level of performance.

Imagine, if you will, a Buick pent head engine not struggling with the problems of 2 valves on the same side of the chamber and contorted exhaust passages dictated by the cam in block, push rod design. How about something similar that used the pent head with the intake where it was, but the exhaust moved across the chamber like a real pent head. Yeah it gets to look something like a hemi and it breathes the same way. The World War II liquid cooled V12 used the pent head a lot with 4 valves and overhead cams to very high power levels. Too bad Buick didn't entertain going all the way with this engine. That would have really driven the finance department crazy.

Bogie

Being a small and big Block Chey Kid who grew up in a Buick
Family both Father and Uncles , Me and My Brothers experiences
with the family Buick's was getting away with how much abuse they
could Handle , at this later stag i have a renewed interest in these
Cars and Engines and all info is for those who do not have as much
experience ; and to the Ego Junky i am going to assume You apparently also Know were the Dip stick Goes !! don't forget to put it back !! ..

My family had a Buick LeSabre wagon back in the 60s. I think it was a 62.It had the 401 in it. What a sled. That 401 moved pretty well for a 5000 pound car being wrapped around it.
The family was in the car on our way home to michigan from PA, and about 1:00 am my Dad hit deer on I- 80 near Clarion PA. Knocked out the grilled and the radiator needed replaced.
My dad sold it to my oldest brother who was about 18 the time. He drove it for about 6 months. The way he drives I am suprised it lasted 6 days. What a tough old car.

The 401 nailhead had 445 lb/ft of torque. Not 465.



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