History Tell me again the SBC isn't traditional...1963 Hot Rod Annual

In 57' the SBC had 1 hp per cubic inch. Try that w/ a stock flattie. Late 50's & early 60's, everyone I knew was scouring the yards for SBC's. Then out came the flathead & in went the SBC.
We wanted to go fast & it was the latest & greatest at the time.

 

This is kind of the whole problem with building a "traditional" hotrod. We're trying to re-create a "style" that's true to a certain time frame. Back when the "tradition" was "NOW", hot rodders weren't interested in creating history,they were interested in how to go fast and look wicked and usually trying to do it on a small budget. The small block Chevy was the best way to do that.

If we were really being true to that hotrod tradition, we'd all be dropping in LS series motors. But that sure wouldn't fly here.

 

Funny topic! SBC s are cheap easy and reliable HP! I started builing early cad engines because I wanted something different...expensive, hard to find parts, ran out of money before I could decide if it was reliable!

 

right on the money. Some guys run em cause they are cheap. Some guys cause they make easy power. Most guys do want to run something else, but why let a hot rod sit because you dont have the money to build that hemi, or nailhead? Put a good runnin, cheap sbc or sbf in it until you can build what you want. Then you can "loan" that motor to a buddy until he gets his power plant of choice built. I like em all.

 

*yawn*

 

By my eye, all pre 1962 engines are down right cool!

Nuff SAID!

 

Any other engine except sbc is getting to be the new red wheels.

 

My heart is always with the Flatty but when my foot rules my thoughts I take this out this out for a ride......

 

It's an apples and oranges argument to me.

If you want to be different, then a more rare vintage motor has move value to you than a more common SBC.

If you want to be frugal, then a SBC has more value than a rare vintage motor.

I'm not gonna look down my nose at someone who loves the hobby and participates in it in a way he can afford. Hell, if I want another car, and I do, it's going to have to be cheaper to build or I just can't have it. A roadster with a SBC is better than no roadster at all.

I've never understood why such practical considerations get turned into "my motor is cooler than your motor."

I don't have to hate on SBCs to love my nailhead. Come on people, now, smile on your brother...

 

Well said...Brother..

here's your AMEN!

 

Why, what happened in 62?

 

A post like this is, In My Opinion, Just to make a person FEEL that they are Traditional in the Engine they use in there own Rod.

Its not that a Small Chevy IS or IS NOT Traditional, Because ANY REAL Hot Rod car Guy knows That a Chevy is a Great engine.

The problem is that it has got so Watered down that people are putting ALL types of Small Chevys and trying to to make themselves believe that a 2005 Vortech Center Bolt 350 & 700r4 combe is TRADITIONAL, Or there 2bbl 1972 Smog 305 & power Glide is TRADITIONAL.

THEY ARE NOT !!!!

I will be the first guy to tell you that the 4 97's, Hildibrant covered, Vertex Magged, Lots Chrome & a 4 spd trans in your LATE 50's Rod IS TRADITIONAL.

But an Aluminum Headed, EFI, Center Bolt Chrome Covers, VORTECH, HEI, & O/D automatic in an Otherwise Late 40's Wire Wheeled Rod IS NOT TRADITIONAL !!!

There is a time & place for a S/B Chevy, And you have to choose Correctly on what ya put in.... Just cus it a Chevy don't meen its O.K. since they were doing the EARLY Chevs In the Early days.

I wont even go into the latest craze of the To Low Broken looking Stretched out Shit Box's Popular today or the Fucked up Bobber trucks.

If you have a Chevy & want to Chime the TRADITIONAL bell, Choose an Early Engine & dress accordingly.

Or be prepared for the Ho Hum Attitude you get with your Boring Late Model combo you chose to hang out in the wind of your Hood Less Hot Rod.

 

Amen, you've said it all!!

 

There's nothing boring about my SBC when the pedal's on the floor. For me traditional doesn't mean slow.

I appreciate creativity and always enjoy seeing a creatively designed rod no matter what engine it has. I don't see the logic in promoting the use of engines so rare or expensive to build they discourage novices from ever trying to build their first car.

 

When I started my project to get the '41 back on the road; I was very set on staying "traditional" and keeping the Flathead + 3spd in the car.

Yes, it's kind of cool to see the old-timers gather around the car and start telling stories about the old days. The funny thing is the stories always include an instance when the Flathead broke down and they had to use baling wire or some sort of roadside ingenuity to get it going again!

Well, after nearly 500 miles of driving it this Spring, including a couple times sitting alongside the highway; I've started to consider the "other" options. I'm leaning towards the idea of a SBF & 4spd auto. which opens up a completely new horizon to install some HP and long range travel abilities.

 

man, that thing looks good.

 

Heathen wrote:

I have a SBC out of a 1968 Camaro (350 cu/350HP) in my 34 and it does not have the front oil tube. Of course, I'm not running the origianl Chevy intake but using a Torker I. Oil goes in thru the breather cap on the original Cal Customs covers.

Would I like to have something a little more traditional, like a blown flattie or a 331/354 Hemi? You bet your ass, but being that ain't likely anytime soon, my SBC does real fine. Plus getting parts ain't a big bitch.

 

Well, then, you're going straight to hell. A '68 engine should have the last of the old style cylinder heads with no bolt holes for accessories, though; just another one of my pet peeves concerning sbcs in early rods.

 

Maybe the SBC is bland.Maybe traditional,maybe not.Doesnt matter. One does have to appreciate that it has helped keep a hobby alive by keeping it affordable and open to those who want to participate.Its made its mark and that cant be erased.Id rather see a bland SBC keeping a hot rod on the road than not at all.

 

I like ones that run.......not sure if its traditional but sure makes it more fun to drive....Ill leave the era correct/traditional or whatever else to the rich folk. Ill do what I have to do but I do like to look and hear other engines than a 350. I have a FE and Im happy with that but if I had a 350 then chances are I would be happy with that.

 

yeah right?????

 

You can't go straight to Hell. Hell requires a left turn. It is a little bit like NASCAR.

EDIT: Correction. It is a whole LOT like NASCAR. Or, is it that NASCAR is a whole lot like the road to Hell? Or, is it that the road to Hell is paved with SBC's? Oh, I give up!

 

This guy loves HIS TRAD SBC...

 

the word "traditional" is misused alot more than SBC...whatever happened to build,cruise and enjoy life?

 

Wasn't it great when we were younger and could settle this stupid dispute from light to light instead of keyboard tp keyboard? ghost

 

"Well, then, you're going straight to hell..."
Yup.
I think another "early" feature that makes these things cool is the plethora of displacments commony used that cause modern streetrodders' minds to lock up.

"Izzat a 350??" "No. It's a (Insert favorite: 292, 301, 352, 331, etc.)"
Streetrodder staggers away, mind desperately trying to absorb a larger universe than ever imagined...

 

WELL SAID

 

I agree with 3W Larry..double yawn.. correct heads with no bolt holes? Who cares? I'm just glad folks are still building hot rods! Just build 'em the best you know how and have fun! I've been in hot rods for 50+ years and the worst time was the early 70's when a few R&C editors started getting snooty and cliquey.

 

Traditional? Defined

1. a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable

2. the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction

 

well i think this subject was addressed to its fullest. i need ah beer.