Reverse induction

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A56

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Backward Buick: A Reverse-Induction Nailhead V8
Posted on May 12, 2022 by MCG


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This Buick Nailhead V8 with a reverse-flow induction system has been delighting and baffling the internet for several years now. Let’s take a closer look.



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The homebuilt 1950s dragster shown here—and its remarkable engine—seem to exist today only in a handful of photos.These old images have made the rounds of social media and internet forums for several years now, generating tons of commentary but not much in the way of hard information. We thought it might be fun to dig around and see what we could find out.



1957-Buick-Reverse-Flow-600.jpg


Searching through old race programs, we discovered that the dragster was campaigned and driven by Edgar Stoffels Jr. of ETC Automotive in Chicago, Illinois. Obviously, that’s a Buick Nailhead V8 he has mounted between the frame rails, and a period entry list describes it as a 1957 model, which in its stock displacement is 364 cubic inches. (See our popular feature on the venerable Nailhead here.)

Now here is where things get interesting: We can see that the flow patterns through the cylinder heads have been reversed, so that now the intake ports are the exhaust ports and vice versa. Meanwhile, a GMC 6-71 blower driven directly from the crankshaft (check out our 6-71 history here) draws in air through a set of four two-barrel carburetors and pumps the mixture into the former exhaust ports. And where the intake manifold once was, there are now a set of eight individual zoomie-style exhaust headers. It’s a strange-looking setup, for sure.

So what was the purpose of this oddball modification? Exactly what the builder was thinking is not known to us, but we tend to agree, broadly, with the consensus theory among gawkers today: This was probably an attempt to overcome the Nailhead’s presumably limited breathing capacity. The Buick V8 was noted for its dinky exhaust valves (1.50 inches in 1957) and it was apparently thought that reversing the airflow and then pressurizing the intake ports would overcome the deficiency. Yes, there are some problems with this theory, and some mechanical hurdles to overcome, too: Among other things, a specially ground camshaft would be required.

Despite these obstacles, the reverse-flow Nailhead did indeed run, appearing at at NHRA’s Big Go, the 1958 Nationals at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, and at Cordova Dragway in Cordova, Illinois. Despite some tuning problems as described in the caption below, the ETC Automotive dragster was roughly competitive, racking up at least one class victory—against the Arfons Brothers’ fearsome Allison-powered Green Monster, no less.

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That’s pretty slow for a supercharged car that weighs very little compared to a full bodied car, then again tires were really bad compared to what is out there today along with a glued track.
 
That’s pretty slow for a supercharged car that weighs very little compared to a full bodied car, then again tires were really bad compared to what is out there today along with a glued track.
Seriously?? 134.46 - 11.89 in 1958 with an experimental engine... and a trophy after defeating Art Arfons?
 
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Really bad idea- lets breath through a smaller valve and exhaust through a big valve. And then lets grind a custom cam to make it all work. I'm a genius.
 
Really bad idea- lets breath through a smaller valve and exhaust through a big valve. And then lets grind a custom cam to make it all work. I'm a genius.
Definitely a Flash in the Pan build. What I got from it was as unorthodox design and function as it was, he thought, fabbed, built operated, raced and won. Just because.
 
Definitely a Flash in the Pan build. What I got from it was as unorthodox design and function as it was, he thought, fabbed, built operated, raced and won. Just because.
Agreed. And without old timer hot rodders doing awesome **** like this we wouldnt be where we are today. It takes some outside of the box thinking sometimes do come up with a winner even if you have a few ideas that are less than great. I love stuff like this.
 
I like reverse flow engines. They're different. But it sure is a lot of trouble for little to no gain.
 
Seriously?? 134.46 - 11.89 in 1958 with an experimental engine... and a trophy after defeating Art Arfons?

yeah, I’m thinking at least 600hp and in that car in the 9’s with today’s tires and glue.
 
But that’s hot rodding. U play the game, u take the chances. Sometimes it’s a win, sometimes not. Kim
Hell, I like it. I think it's a win either way because it's so different. It's just not something I would do but I like lookin at it.
 
First one I saw was maybe a "bucket T" with a reverse flow Chev V8. Huge tall exhaust stacks straight up and something like bike/ sled side draft carbs. I agree with Rusty. I don't see pushing air through small valves
 
So does that mean the engine spins backwards? If so…. Transmission and rear end complications as well. How much gain from that old piece of iron for all that aggravation.
I do appreciate the effort!
True hot rodding right there
 
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