Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the all-aluminum 215 and the 425s are? I want to swap one where the other is. Thanks. John.

Completely, totally different, but it can & has been done in a '62 Special.

Hmmm, that's what I'm working on...actually, a Skylark. What did it take, any idea?

it would probably be easier to put in a 455 or 430 than the Nail and the BBB would also save you ~100lbs in nose weight.

simplist would be a mid-80's 231 turbo 6.

I have a 455 in my 65 GS Conv. Nett weight of these is around 600lb. The 425 is in excss of 700lbs and the 215 is less than 400lbs if my memory is correct. The 231 V6 is a great engine for this vehicle, especially if you go with the late fuel injected with 4L60 trans.

Check on weights & you will be surprised at the 401/425 "Nails" weights. If memory serves me correct they are only about 50lbs. heavier than a SBC ready to run. Add my mini-starter & eliminate about 20 of those pds. Eliminate the cast iron intake for aluminum & lose another 20 or so. But it will never get down to 400.

Check on weights & you will be surprised at the 401/425 "Nails" weights. If memory serves me correct they are only about 50lbs.

sorry Tom, that's the BBB ( 455, 430, 400 ) family you're talking about.

Nails aren't bad for their era but they do carry a bit more beef than the later blocks. that's ( stronger block allows smaller crank mains which means fewer inches/second of rotation at a given rpm to lubricate ) part of the reason why they don't have as many oiling problems.

Thanks the vote of confidence, Bob. This isn't going to be a drag car where weight would be an issue. If it were I'd use a Ecotech 4 cyl. Anyway, how hard will it be putting the Nailhead in the '62 Skylark? Are they that much different? Am I correct in my crude measurements in thinking the Nailheads' about an inch wider than the 215? Thanks. John.:shield:

Thanks the vote of confidence, Bob. This isn't going to be a drag car where weight would be an issue.

nevertheless, you'll likely have to put new springs and shocks in the front of the car. 400lbs net difference is nothing to sneeze at. especially with a goodly portion of that in front of the cross member.





Anyway, how hard will it be putting the Nailhead in the '62 Skylark? Are they that much different? Am I correct in my crude measurements in thinking the Nailheads' about an inch wider than the 215? Thanks. John

other than the weights, i'm not that up on Nailheads. they are incredibly narrow, that's why the valves are turned up the way they are.

John, go to www.bpgforums.com Do a search for "john csordas..remember this car in 1980" & you will find what gsjohnny & others did to an early Skylark. Check it out, it's interesting & I believe they even got the car back to the original builder.

Forgot, go to "bench racing in the garage"

Thanks Telriv. I'll do just that. I'll let you know if it was any help.