ghaskett

3:31 JAG IRS and at 65mph I'm slinging around 25, 2600 rpm. Gear Vender is a constant 0.78. I am looking for info from anyone who has bolted one up in a '56 X frame Thanks.

I have a '56 with 1965 dual quad 401 and SP400. I was looking at the Gear Vendor Overdrive and am wondering if anyone has put one in a '56 and if so, did you have to modify the 'X' in the frame. I know all about adapting a 700R4, but I'm really interested in the Gear Vendor. Thanks.

Any issues with switching out standard headlamps with Halogen headlamps? I have alternator in place of the old generator. Thanks.

Thanks to both of you for the input. George

I don't have high beams. The dash mounted high beam indicator red light works. Low beam works. The switch is new. The high beam and high beam indicator utilize a gray wire. Somewhere along the way the wire splits. One part goes to the indicator and the other goes out to the headlights. So, my guess is that the problem lies somewhere from the split out to the headlights. Gee, the wires are only 63 years old! The other hairball thought is that I've lost high beam in both lamps. Could happen, I suppose, but it's a stretch. Thanks.

Thanks, Ed. Makes sense to me.

The added costs are a deal killer. I'm in Canada for the week, but when I get home I'll call Russ about cutting the front off the 2004R. The adaptor for hooking up 700R4 or 2004R is about $725 plus getting driveline altered. Russ's bellhousing is $850, the computer is around $,1400 plus getting the 200 cut up. Russ is really pushing his bell housing vs using the adapter. I am aware of the TV issues. Looks like I'd be smart to go with the Bendstens.

You are correct about the 4L60 bellhousing. This would be for my 56 Special. Already have dual quad 401 and 400 tranny in her. I do a lot of freeway travel out here in Washington State and I have a 700R4 so it looks like that will be my route. I'd prefer a 200 but then I've got to get it whacked for Russ's bellhousing. A lot of 6 of this and 6 of that going on here. Thanks again for the input.

Thanks for the great question. I also have the same thought, but Russ, out in California, says that his bellhousing only works on the "E" and get this...it has to come from a 98-99 GM 1500 or 98-2002 full size GM van. Very odd, but there must be a good reason for him to say that. I can only guess that it has to do with the housing bolt pattern perhaps. Life would be sweet if the 4L60 hooks up to his housing.

One other thing. I only want to know about the 4L60-E. Thanks.

Has anyone hooked up a 4L60-E tranny to a 401-425 Nailhead. I know about the adapters, etc, but need to know what you did about the electronics required to run the tranny. Thanks.

I'm sure you know that the '56 Century had more stock compression and horsepower than did the stock '56 Special.

There is a lot to be said for putting a modern, warrantied crate engine in. However, you likely will need a brain box. An updated tranny means an OPEN drive line and rear end pumpkin. Kiss the torque tube goodbye. You will need to then link up the rear end/axle housing with trailing arms. Chev C-10 long trailing arms and axle housing u-bolts work great for this. The torque tube and it's arms cannot be used in any manner what so ever. If you can find a 61 Invicta pumpkin, it will bolt right up to the rear housing--no kidding--and the '56 axles will slide right in too. Rebuilding the 322 Nailhead isn't rocket science, but you have to remember that the engine is 60+ yrs old and most mechanics have never seen one. Hot rod shops will take on the project, but you could lose the block to over zealous drilling, grinding, boring etc. Valve guide updates can be the death of nailheads due to the water jacket being easily damaged. I'm sure every Buick guy will tell you to be super careful in your mechanic selection process.

Russ, at Centerville, out in California has a adaptor set up for a 200R4 to a 364-401 or 425. His set up basically replaces the original bellhousing, which is milled off. Has anyone used this set up? Thanks.

Has anyone done this? I have a great running 65 Riv 401 with T400 set up, but would like to go to a 700R4. A 30% reduction in rpm might keep the old nailhead running a bit longer.

Thanks for the input. My '56 is lowered 3" and has a JAG IRS with posi. The rear is firmly planted, but I sense a slight roll up front and want to stiffen that up. A bar from Sweden is great, but shipping to the lower 48 makes it REAL pricey and with the BS tariffs, who knows?

Does anyone know of anyone making heavy duty front sway bars to replace the worthless factory stock one for 56 Special, Century. There was some discussion back in 2010, but Mr. Dole (The person named) is no longer involved in that area. I vaguely remember someone was making and selling a heavy duty 1" version roughly five years ago, and obviously, I've forgotten who, what, where and when. Thanks

Thanks for the PDF

Thanks a lot for the info. I have manual steering in my '56 and it handles just fine. The issue is that I have a 401 in her and the header is right up to the steering box..very little clearance. In fact, we had to shove the engine sideways to get clearance...and we used various 364-425 manifolds in the process. I would like to go with PS, but the issue, again, is steering box clearance. Ideally, finding a smaller displacement box that didn't require an astrophysicist to install would be great. Saturday, at a car show near Tacoma, WA, I saw a 401 powered '41 Buick with R&P ...with the "STOCK" front clip and suspension system. This rig has been driven all over the country and no complaints. Seeing that led to my AACA inquiry. I have an appointment with the guys who put the R&P in the '41 and anything I can learn, I'll pass along. So, the gist is again, getting a R&P installed(maybe) or finding a worthwhile PS box that will give ample exhaust manifold clearance.

Has anyone installed R&P on their 56 Buick, keeping original front clip and king pin set up?

I am looking for the rectangular cloth tube/hose that attaches to the passenger side chrome vent. Mine just crumbled while working on heater box. Anything other than duct tape will do, though it could end up being a 200 mph tape job. Thanks George

Can I call you Wednesday. My number is 360 432 3462 That looks like what I'm looking for. Do you happen to know the stamped number on it. Thanks for sending these pics. George

Don't know for sure, but what I'm looking for is a manifold that has a indentation between the 2nd and 3rd outlet area of the manifold. The attached photo shows this flat like area. I saw this type manifold on a 364 powered 61 Buick. I have a 401 in my 56 Special, but the real issue is steering box clearance and this looks like it might be the answer. Ironically, the 322 manifold would fit perfectly, except it has round ports. Bummer!

I'm looking for a 1961 driver side exhaust header. Specifically off a 364 engine only. Thanks.

I am looking for 1961 Driver side exhaust for the 364 Nailhead.