Thread: Any Nailhead fans here?

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I don't currently own one, but I've built a few, and I'm a big fan.

I'm looking for a picture of a blown nailhead, front view, for a tattoo I'm working on.

Thanks.

Never built one myself, but think they are one of the prettiest engines made, when dressed out. I was going to build a '60 nailhead for a '33 I had in about 1965. I bought the entire running Buick for $ 100, but before I could tear it down a buddy of mine got married, and needed a car. He begged and begged me to sell him the Buick, but I ended up giving it to him as a wedding gift.

Wish I had that engine now.

Don

Yup, love them old nailheads!!! Got 2 complete engines and some spare parts too go with them.... Don't know of any blown pics, might try a google search for Nailhead Engines and see what comes up...

Always heard the term "nailhead" is that any flat head, just buicks or what?

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

Always heard the term "nailhead" is that any flat head, just buicks or what?

Just V8 Buicks, the ones with the vertical valve covers, circa 1953 to 1966 I think.

My ever-deteriorating memory tell me the term "nailhead" came as a result of the head design of the earliest Buick V8 engines.

These engines, with their narrow vertical valve covers, just gotta be the handsomest engines ever made, but the valve size was pretty limited by the design of the heads. The small valves look like nails, hence the nickname "nailhead". In fact we used to hear them referred to as "nail-valve engines" sometimes.

I wish I had one. I don't need one, but that doesn't matter. I wish I had one anyway.

Jim

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Just V8 Buicks, the ones with the vertical valve covers, circa 1953 to 1966 I think.

didn't the '51 Lesabre concept car have a nailhead? not that it matters, it was a concept car and that engine didn't appear production until '53, as you said.. but I do know that '67 Riv's were offered with nailheads but after that they had the 430's

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

Always heard the term "nailhead" is that any flat head, just buicks or what?

Nailheads are not flat heads, they are overhead valves. The term nailhead refers to the angle of the valves when the heads are on the engine, a very unique look!!!!!

Yup, got some pics of one in my gallery..Neat engines

Nailheads belong in a vintage rod with no hood . . . or in any vintage Buick.

We need more Buick, Olds, Caddy and Pontiac rods.

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Nailheads belong in a vintage rod with no hood . . . or in any vintage Buick.

We need more Buick, Olds, Caddy and Pontiac rods.

and MoPar I am doing my part

Jack

Never owned, never built a nailhead, but a big fan. Just my opinion, but I think the 3 most striking engines ever, old Hemi (I am little prejudice here ), the Buick nailhead, and the Ford/Mercury flathead V8, not necessairly in that order.

Jack

Originally Posted by moparjack44

I think the 3 most striking engines ever, old Hemi (I am little prejudice here ), the Buick nailhead, and the Ford/Mercury flathead V8, not necessairly in that order.

You forgot the Cadi flatty... exhaust routed out the top of the engine... those are Kewl.

Here's a nice shot of a nailhead in Tommy Ivo's digger, but I'm still looking for one with a big blower sittin' on top.

I'm beginning to think my next hoodless and fenderless rod might just have a V-10 Ford with 5 downdraft Webers...... Unique is what we seek, but bizarre is what we are!!!!!!!

Dave,

Funny you should mention it . . . .