how difficult would it be to put a buick 401 nailhead in my maverick

ok so i am nowhere near satisfied with my sad I6 (about 95 hp) =[...and my friend drives a buick electra and he got a parts car with it, and he has a 401 nailhead, even a tranny. he said he'll pretty much give me the engine and tranny if i wanted them, but b4 i jump on this project, i was wondering if the engine would even fit in the compartment, the nailhead is apparently very small for it's displacement. what i want to know is, will the engine and the tranny install somewhat easily for a shop(i wont be doing this but i dont want to have to pay an arm and a leg to have them installed)

 

anything is possible with the right amount of desire, a welder and some cash flow

good luck.. it will be a first, thats for sure.

 

i would have to guess that it wouldn't fit. the 302 doesn't give you much room. plus the maverick takes a front sump oil pan. there would have to be a lot of modifying i would think.

 

If it's even possible without MAJOR engine bay modifications, you will definately pay an arm and a leg to have a drivetrain installed that's not meant to be in the car, if you can even find a shop willing to take on the project.

 

pretty much what i've been looking for. i really dont want to modify it a ton, just enough to get the engine and tranny to fit, my friend tells me the nailhead is very narrow due to the design(google it if you dont know what it looks like)

 

alrighty, that idea went down in flames pretty fast.. ..lol

 

you would be crying trying install that puppy , good 302 will do the trick

 

yea that was my first thought, my friend brought up the fact that he would pretty much give me the engine and tranny so i kinda jumped on it

 

Get the engine and trans and sale them for money for a 302, if a V8 is what you want.

 

Bingo

 

I will tell you what if you want to have it put and you have the money do it!!! Last time I checked the only person who dictates what you can do with the car is yourself and of course the all important pocket book.Thats my 2 cents

 

yatzee!

 

h

any ideas how much it would cost? more than a 302 crate?

 

Well sure it would anything that is not a direct bolt in is going to push the envelope. Seeing I am writing off the cuff because I have no clue how much larger the motor is you may get by just notching the shock towers, mocking new motor stands and fabricating a new pan. There are SO MANY different things that will cost you remember it is always the little things that will drive the bill through your wallet

 

Nailheads only came with one transmission that was open drive- a turbo 400. You have got to remember the nailhead came out in 53 or 54, and all Buicks had enclosed driveshafts untill 65-66, 66 being the last year made. Parts are hard to find, especially performance parts. Now for an old school street rod or fat fender 50's pickup, a nailhead is a great choice. Those verticle valve covers are cool. There are people out there who buy every one they can find, my cousin is one of them. He has about 3 in his shop and one in a runnig and driving 56 Century. For a Maverick, you'd be better off to stay with a small block Ford.