I am fairly new to this, and keep seeing material about "nailhead" engines. Just what IS a nailhead engine and what makes it special?

The Buick "Nailhead " was built from 1953 to 1966 and started as a 322 cubic inch and ended up as a 425. They were called "nailheads " because they had valves so small they looked like nails. The" nailhead is very popular because they have vertical valve covers, and when dressed up with chrome and aluminum goodies, are one of the prettiest engines in the world ( just my opinion)

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If you go to the Buicks.net "shop" there is one pictured in the top right, click on it for a larger view. If you go to the "racing" from the front page or from the shop you will some pics of Tommy Ivo's dragster with 4 nailheads! graemlins/finishflag.gif

The Buick "Nailhead " was built from 1953 to 1966 and started as a 322 cubic inch .... Not to be a smart a__, but the nailhead actually started as a 264cid eingine. ;)
-Bob

Mmmmm..... I kinda think it started in '53 as a 322, and the 264 did not appear untill '54. So while the 264 is the smallest version, it was not the way it started. smile.gif

Whoops!

http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/nailhead_casting_numbers.html

This is a time saver