55 C4 Suspension/Nailhead Build

[jjzepplin]

That is one good trade if you ask me. My favorite body style and you are doing the build justice for sure. Would have been interesting with the nailhead. What are your plans for an engine if I missed it..?

[HeloCrewChief]

Kim,
I had that as a back up plan in mind. Really need you get a bed so I can mock everything up. My parents live in Corona off of Foothill and Fullerton! I actually store my 68 Chevelle I built in high school there. It's blue with white stripes. Doubt you've seen it around as I only make it down there once or twice a year to drive it around. I checked out you build and I think I might be stealing a few ideas from you if you don't mind. Build looks great!

[HeloCrewChief]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

That is one good trade if you ask me. My favorite body style and you are doing the build justice for sure. Would have been interesting with the nailhead. What are your plans for an engine if I missed it..?

The Blazer was cherry and I sure do miss it. Was he nicest driving and maintained one I had ever seen. I almost chickened out when getting on the highway to go and make the trade. I will be running a nailhead in the truck. I think they are under appreciated engines with a very cool look when all dressed up. I already mocked the chassis up for a 401 Nailhead with 400 transmission. Sold off the old engine as I want to build my own. Undecided between dual quads, injection or a blower from the blower shop as they make nailhead blowers now.

[jjzepplin]

My brother had a 425 in his 68 Riviera. Thing was a torque monster. We actually ran it down the track and a trunk full of tools and two people it ran a 14 sec flat on street tires and completely stock everything.

[Advanced Design]

Looks really good Helo. Like Kim said, if the floors interferes with the sway bar you can make it fit.

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by HeloCrewChief

Kim,
I had that as a back up plan in mind. Really need you get a bed so I can mock everything up. My parents live in Corona off of Foothill and Fullerton! I actually store my 68 Chevelle I built in high school there. It's blue with white stripes. Doubt you've seen it around as I only make it down there once or twice a year to drive it around. I checked out you build and I think I might be stealing a few ideas from you if you don't mind. Build looks great!

Your parents aren't far from me at all. I'm near Foothill and Lincoln.
Would love to see the 68.
Kim

[HeloCrewChief]

Just in case anyone else runs across the same question. Yes you can run the sway bar above the frame like I have it. I called Don at flat out and he says they fit under the bed without modification. He pointed me to their Facebook page and one of his other customers trucks. I'm attaching a few pictures of that one. Looks like an awesome build, not sure if he is on the board.

[HeloCrewChief]

Just a few teasers to show what lays ahead. I will be running Webers on this Nailhead with Milr Products Intake Manifolds and Jim Inglese will be building the linkage. I attached a video of the Nailhead I will be picking up this weekend down in California. I've been keeping my eye out for one and this seemed like a great deal from an experienced Hot Rodder. Pretty mild build but, the 425 had 340 Horsepower/465 Ft.Lb torque from the get go...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gC3...are_video_user

[Coach529]

This one looks like fun........tagging along!!

[ptc]

Nice build you got going on here.... LIKE!

[Kim57]

That's cool.
Kim

[Purcell69]

This is going to be great! Keep up the good work!

-Joe

[murd969]

Maybe I missed it but did you powder coat the aluminum suspension parts? I was thinking of either powder coating mine or polishing it. The silver on yours looks better than the samples of powdercoat that I've seen.

[HeloCrewChief]

The aluminum parts are powder coated. I didn't want to keep up with polishing them or keeping the bare aluminum clean. The color name is anodized silver. I never paint anything anymore if I can help it. Powder coating is the way to go. The engine and transmission are about to go in. Had a little trouble finding the correct replacement Buick mounts. I have the weber Carburetors but, I'm waiting on MILR Products to send me the intake manifolds.

[praisegeetarman]

Doing a nice job Oliver. Going to be a cool ride.

Keith

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by HeloCrewChief

Just a few teasers to show what lays ahead. I will be running Webers on this Nailhead with Milr Products Intake Manifolds and Jim Inglese will be building the linkage. I attached a video of the Nailhead I will be picking up this weekend down in California. I've been keeping my eye out for one and this seemed like a great deal from an experienced Hot Rodder. Pretty mild build but, the 425 had 340 Horsepower/465 Ft.Lb torque from the get go...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gC3...are_video_user

Ok, that is pegging the cool meter!

[mongocanfly]

I'm with Doug..but there's no way I'd put that engine in my truck...I'd have to put it in my living room on the engine stand just so I could look at it all the time...and crank it up and listen to it..man that sounds good..

[HeloCrewChief]

Some of the MILR Products for the Nailhead are starting to trickle in. He is a one man operation and retired after 50 years as a pattern maker for International. He makes everything right in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I feel privileged to have his stuff on my ride. So far the intake manifolds and valley cover came in. I'm waiting for him to crank out the valve covers and spark plug covers. I just have the manifolds and carburetors loosely mocked up to make sure everything fits well. Will pull them back off when I go to install the engine/transmission this weekend.

I also got my transmission back from the rebuilder. Local well known guy that rebuilds them in his garage when he gets home from work. We ended up going with a 2400 stall for this build and a TransGo shift kit. I have all my engine and transmission mounts set up. Hope to install the engine and transmission this weekend.

[HeloCrewChief]

Sorry for the sideways pictures. Not sure why they are uploading like that.

[ptc]

Originally Posted by HeloCrewChief

Sorry for the sideways pictures. Not sure why they are uploading like that.

its the iPhone Apple way of doing things to annoy people! -

That engine of yours is looking just incredible! I friend of mine just got ahold of his old boat that he sold more than 25 years ago (and regretted it always). It has a nailhead in it too. He's going to bring it all back to life again.

[Kim57]

Engine looks great.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Very cool!

[HeloCrewChief]

Had a few buddies over yesterday to help me put the engine/transmission together and bolt them into the chassis. I had gone out and bought all the hardware before hand to do the job. I also mocked all the mounts on so, everything went smoothly. Even got to enjoy a few Yuenglings my buddy brought with him when he moved from North Carolina. Haven't had those in years! Next up I will be getting the driveshaft made. I have some concerns about it clearing the middle crossmember. It looks like it should clear but, if not I will have to figure something out there. I'm also still undecided between converting the rack & pinion to manual or keeping power steering. Once I decide on that I will get it bolted on and run all my lines.

[RockinKees]

Nice!!
I like the look of Nailheads, I think they look very cool, it has a vintage Hot Rod look to it.

[Advanced Design]

Coming together very nicely!