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My 57 Buick special project


Mack0331

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With my engine in the machine shop the last few weeks Ive been waiting to get the final quote which I'll get this week before doing anything else . I already bought all the front suspension stuff though so I got all new grade 8 bolts and got that all put together. 

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  • 3 weeks later...
48 minutes ago, Mack0331 said:

No. Machine shop said they have done like 25 of them they put seats in without a issue said they use a thinner seat for them but I've always heard to never do it. 

You've heard correctly.  There's enough nickel in the iron that valve recession is not a problem in a nailhead.  Sounds to me like your machinist is just lining his pockets.  25 nailhead heads or 25 heads of all kinds?  Why an odd number? 25 didn't have a problem, how many did?  Don't be swayed.  

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9 hours ago, RivNut said:

You've heard correctly.  There's enough nickel in the iron that valve recession is not a problem in a nailhead.  Sounds to me like your machinist is just lining his pockets.  25 nailhead heads or 25 heads of all kinds?  Why an odd number? 25 didn't have a problem, how many did?  Don't be swayed.  

According to them the only one they had a issue with was one that came from another shop. I have no experience with them or nailheads before this so I rely a lot on info I get here and other Buick groups. 

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If you ever get a chance to meet Bill Green, he's the hot rod guy of Kent. Really knowledgeable, will bend your ear about every shop in the area, including his. Gary Wickham of the NAPA in Kent off Central has also been a huge hook up of information and parts locally in the valley. Can't really speak much for Auburn other than the old boy that runs Carbs Unlimited is also another source of useful info regarding who's hot and who's not. 

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You can get a lot of technical info on nailhead by reading Russ Martin's website.  I have trouble posting links using this tablet but to find him, Google Centerville Auto, Grassville, CA.  There's a forum dedicated to the nailhead engine on www.V8Buick.com  The guys there are engine guys who are running nailheads in a variety of different kinds of vehicles.  Lots of tech savvy.  

 

Do a LOT of outside research and come up with a consensus of opinions and facts before putting your faith in just one guy.

 

Ed

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9 minutes ago, RivNut said:

You can get a lot of technical info on nailhead by reading Russ Martin's website.  I have trouble posting links using this tablet but to find him, Google Centerville Auto, Grassville, CA.  There's a forum dedicated to the nailhead engine on www.V8Buick.com  The guys there are engine guys who are running nailheads in a variety of different kinds of vehicles.  Lots of tech savvy.  

 

Do a LOT of outside research and come up with a consensus of opinions and facts before putting your faith in just one guy.

 

Ed

Ive talked to matt martin a few times. 

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Matt and Russ are some of the best nailhead information and parts sources around.  I would trust whatever they recommend.  If the seats can still be cut cleanly without being too low, do not bother with an insert.  Nailhead water passages are very close to the seat area.  Once broken into, you will be throwing the head in the scrap pile.  Stay away from new seats if at all possible.

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I have abandoned my engine build. I found a deal I couldn't pass up on a complete everything but the block and bare heads new 364. I bought it from a machine shop who built it for a guy that went bankrupt and couldn't pay them. I called and talked to them about it and they sent me the build sheet everything looked great. The shop just wanted their parts money back so sold it to me for just their parts cost. 

 

My new engine 

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Made a bit of progress today . Got the rear end housing in . New springs , shocks , grade 8 bolts . Got the torque tube tore apart and put in a new driveshaft bearing and U joint and got that all put back together. The U joint was a pain to find. I ordered both u joints oldbuickparts had listed for 57 and niether fit. Ended up just measuring it and matchimg it up. I belive the one I got that fit was from a early 60s galaxy. Strange. Rolling chassis is getting there.

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On 12/28/2017 at 7:26 PM, Mack0331 said:

I have abandoned my engine build. I found a deal I couldn't pass up on a complete everything but the block and bare heads new 364. I bought it from a machine shop who built it for a guy that went bankrupt and couldn't pay them. I called and talked to them about it and they sent me the build sheet everything looked great. The shop just wanted their parts money back so sold it to me for just their parts cost. 

 

My new engine 

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Holy crap! Died and went 2 nailhead heaven!

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Well dropped the trans off to be rebuilt. I don't do transmissions never have. When I was a ford tech at a dealer we had one guy that did all the transmissions and I've been a fleet tech for the last 7 years for a rental company and we don't do transmissions at all so I just didn't want to mess with it.  Only time I even think about them is once every 5 years when I have to recert my trans ASE certification. Making some progress again! 

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Just now, Mack0331 said:

Precision transmission in Everett. 

 

That's quite a ways away, did they come recommended? I was recommended by Transmission Specialists in Auburn off 167 to use King's Transmission in East Hill of Kent. They did a decent job, but it leaks quite a bit from the front seal. Nothing to worry about as the dipstick still reads within spec, but a little disheartening.

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A lot of places didn't seem too excited about rebuilding a 50s trans that's been sitting forever. This guy seemed to know what he's talking about. He has 10 trans shops around the area but said he would do it himself if I brought it to the shop he's at in Everett. Its only about a hour from me so no big deal. Kinda a shot in the dark. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Don't leave parts where small children can get them. My plans to get the rear end together we thwarted when my axle flange gaskets went missing. Also I mangled a upper ball joint  boot and no one seems to carry them so I need to measure it and order a universal one as close to the right size as I can. 

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3 hours ago, Mack0331 said:

Don't leave parts where small children can get them. My plans to get the rear end together we thwarted when my axle flange gaskets went missing. Also I mangled a upper ball joint  boot and no one seems to carry them so I need to measure it and order a universal one as close to the right size as I can. 

 

  That's, right blame the kids!  :)

 

  Ben

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18 hours ago, Mack0331 said:

Finished up the rear end , brakes , and threw the wheels on . its a roller !  Motor and trans will go in next weekend. Wanted to get them in this weekend but some of the trans parts took longer to get here so it won't be dome until this week. 

 

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Looks like the star adjuster is reversed?  Is that on purpose?

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9 minutes ago, JohnD1956 said:

Those things can be annoying to adjust if they are not in the correct orientation.  Access is one thing, and the direction they turn is another consideration.

Yup  I never remember what direction to turn the darn things

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Getting this trans rebuilt has been a bit of a hassle. First we had to order parts from  like 5 different places to get everything needed. Then some parts cane in wrong so had to get all that sorted. Then valve body needed a massive amount of cleaning which took a while . now everything's back together but apparently no one makes new torque converters for them. Now we are having one made. Everything else is done so I will finally get it back next week about 3 weeks later than originally planed but it will be all entirely new. Starting to think my original plan to convert it all to a LS drive train wouldn't have been such a bad idea LOL. 

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On ‎2‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 1:50 PM, Mack0331 said:

 

On ‎2‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 1:50 PM, Mack0331 said:

apparently no one makes new torque converters for them. Now we are having one made.

 

 

What?  Do 57's have a sealed torque converter like a more modern trans and  unlike the older Dynaflows?

 

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No it comes apart but I think he's having issues finding parts. Guy knows his shit about transmissions and he called me at work I couldn't really talk I basically just told him to do whatever and get it done. I hate transmissions didn't really care about having a huge detailed conversation about all the internals. Having one made was probably the wrong wording but there's some part of it or something he's making. 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Well the local restoration shops said it would cost $10k to have new floors put in. F that! Found new rear floor pans online and just used sheet metal to patch the rest. Spayed raptor bed liner over it and that works just fine. It will be under carpet anyway so don't need it perfect. Wasn't paying 10k that's for sure! Started sanding down the body . Need to get the rest of the trim and windows out this weekend. 

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