unique engine for '54 Chevy?

I'm in the market for a mill for my '54. Any ideas for a cool set up? It does not have anything in it now, so leaving the original 6 isn't an option. I have a built TH350 trans that would be nice to use, but I'm open to ideas at this point. I don't think I've ever seen anything in a '54 other than a 6 or SBC. Anyone done something "different" that turned out cool? I'm lookin' for ideas......

 

Old High school buddy had one with a Buick Nailhead,very quick ride "back in the day" But a 5.0 Ford which is narrower than a SBC would be fun and may be an easier fit as a C4 is smaller than a T-350,but some of the diehard bowtie guys may send you hate mail.

 

drop a pontiac in it........nothing sounds better!

 

Put an FE in it. That would be different.

 

Your sig is hilarious.

 

Maybe like a 409 or somthing...

What era is the car styled to?

 

'54 Pontiac straight 8.

The firewall's gonna have to move back a little ... but that'd sure be interesting

 

olds or pontiac ,think an olds would be period correct,cool as hell,just my $.02

 

The car is a mild custom. Sits real low (not on bags), frenched, nosed, shaved, trim is all removed, really a clean looking custom.

I like the Olds idea..... hmmmmm

 

I second that, an olds. Paint the engine block gold.

 

Olds would be freakin' cool.

 

i would go with a 324 Olds. i was going to put that in my 54 Chevy before i sold the Rocket.

 

An early hemi would be cool. You can still find 331 Chryslers for a decent price. To use that auto, you will need to find a short tail block, '54 - '56.

Edit: I like the Olds idea too.

 

Nailhead or Olds - 4-speed or Hydro-Stick.

 

can we see a pic of the car?

 

Dodge Red Ram Hemi - they are much smaller than the chryslers and fit much better. They are also much cheaper to buy. They all cost the same to build unfortunately.

 

Ford 300 six.

Best kept secret of the inline world.

Hard-runnin' six that'll make folks looking under the hood do a double-take.

 

427 SOHC..... but, really, a nailhead would be great for a mild custom. On the other hand, a SBC is not a bad choice; don't out-trick yourself.

 

Dare to be different,

 

331 Caddy gets my vote. Stick of coarse

 

Caddy gets my vote !!

 

Cadillac Northstar?

 

If you aren't concerned about it being traditional, you can do a 4.0 liter Lexus V8 for surprisingly cheap. They make over 300hp and rev to almost 9k. plus they are small and light.

 

I'd go with a nice BMW six. Plenty of power...most assuredly 'different and very smooth.

dj

 

I vote for the 5.0 Ford and an AOD. Always wanted a 54 Chevy with a Ford sb. Really tick some people off!!

 

I vote for the 24 valve Ford Taurus engine.
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I suggest a Pontiac overhead cam six with the sprint package.

 

stick with the boring chevy sbc or 235., you will thank yourself later

 

sbc is the best choice there was one in ny that had a 500 caddy in it i like a olds or a nailhead if you do a sbc do it like a 283 with old goodies

 

There was a guy at Bonneville a few years ago running aroune in a '49 or '50 Chev convertible with no hood on it, with an inline 6-cylinder JAGUAR engine in it. DOHC with polished aluminum cam covers and 3-side draft carbs. Way COOL! And it looked like a fairly easy instalation! Sounded good too!!

I guess it partly comes down to how fast you want to go and how much $$$ you want to spend.

(Now where have I heard that before???)

JG