Enthusiasts of American cars of the 1960s are often fortunate when it comes to finding replacement parts; the vast numbers of these cars and the long-term usage of many of their core parts lend to service ease even decades on. However, there are plenty of American classics that utilize assemblies and components that have long been tagged with one of the restorer’s most dreaded terms: obsolete. When stocks of these parts dry up, the cars that require them often become display pieces, removed from road use for fear of consuming unobtainable parts.
Fortunately, the old car hobby is supported by companies that strive to keep the shelves stocked with items not produced in Detroit since the days of leaded premium. Egge Machine has been in business since the early days of motoring, dating back to 1915, and continues to manufacture hard parts for engines of all ages. In fact, Egge has been packaging its parts in kit form for some applications, and recently added the Buick 425 to the list. The 425 was the largest version of the “nailhead” Buick V-8, and was an option on top-of-the line models for only a few model years before the nailhead was retired with the introduction of Buick’s new V-8s, the 400 and 430. The engine kit includes Egge’s own American-cast pistons, which use the company’s own alloy “recipe” featuring high-silicone A-332 aluminum, magnesium and titanium, along with strutted pin bosses and chromium steel wrist pins. The kit also includes rings, bearings for the rods, mains and camshaft, valves, valve springs and guides, a camshaft, lifters and timing set, pushrods, rocker arms (choice of steel or aluminum), a complete gasket set and an oil pump or optional oil-pump rebuild kit. Several oversize options are available for pistons and crankshaft bearings as well.
As an added bonus, the Egge Speed Shop can provide performance parts, including the Offenhauser dual-quad intake manifold that emulates the original optional Buick Super Wildcat piece; Egge is offering suspension parts for vintage cars as well.
