Next week I have a chance to check out a 337 Linc with Hydramatic that is still in a running car. Owner want's to go 350/400R, so the engine and ****** is up for sale. What I want to know is, how is parts availability, especially speedparts, adapter to Ford or original Lincoln 3spd. Has this engine any bad reputations in general? I have an article here from HRM 3/53 where somebody did put this engine in a '39 convertible. This engine has Mallory dizzy, Edelbrock heads and a Austin 3x2. How are my chances to get some stuff together?
This topic doesn't deserve to die because I think these are really interesting motors. Everything I've heard is that they're big, heavy and really hard to get parts for but there is speed stuff out there and I'd encourage you to take this route. You can always mill the heads and fabricate a sheetmetal intake until you turn up some speed stuff. Remember, these were also used on big trucks (F6 and up, I think) so there are probably bellhousings out there to modify too. Do it! Oh, and "BTTT"
That's actually a really strong engine/trans combo. A freind here in town had that set up in a little roadster, it hauled *** and shifted nice and hard. The drawbacks to that set up are weight (one heavy mutha) and availability of parts and speed equipment. There were multi carb manifolds, finned aluminum head, etc. produced for those, but the are really scarce and really pricey.
I had a 337 with 3spd in my 49 Lincoln Cosmo- I ran that motor for 3 or 4 good years, and I could not kill it. But it had to go.... Main reasons: Cost- Parts cost way more than the flattie Ford or Merc stuff. Speed equipment was made in the early days, but discontinued quickly when the manufacturers realized nobody was running the 337 motor. Edelbrock made heads, Evan and Nicson made a 2 x 2 . Someone made a 3 x2 , I'm sure. Not too much else out there. Weight- That motor weighs over 700 pounds. I'm not kidding. Its a heavy turd. Not very good HP to weigh ratio. It is a smooth, torquey motor that sounds great with some pipes. I would not go out of my way to put one in a car though- The negatives just outweigh the positives in most cases. Hope this advice helps... jay
Those 337's are big and HEAVY. My dad has a few 337 truck engines. Speed equipment is out there, but it is spendy. Harlan bought a 337 from my dad. He started on a custom fabricated sheetmetal 3x2 intake for it, kinda like the one he built for his 350 Olds. That should be interesting when he gets it going. Neal
I have '50 Lincoln flathead under the work bench that I plan on using in a '27 T project that I am considering. It has a Mallory dual point, Edmunds Custom heads and 2X2 intake that uses four bolt base carbs and a four speed Hydro-matic. Speed parts are hard to come by and expensive, but can be found. Kanters (sp?) lists internals in their catalog but I have not ordered from them. Three speed manual transmissions were available in the '49 lincolns but are rare also.
If I'm reading you right the engine already has the Mallory, the Edelbrock heads and a 3x2 intake so those are the really spendy parts. Probably also has a cam but if not Schneidercan probably regind yours. Remember that a Ford or Merc engine is pretty heavy too at about 550 #. I've always thought that Lincoln ought to pump out gobs of torque.Might want to build something with the engine set bsck quite a bit to transfer some of that weight to the rear wheels. Ted
Early 49 car and all truck 337's had solid lifters. Later cars were hydraulic and used a softer cam. Used 49-51 in F7 & F8 trucks. If you can find a truck with the 4spd then the bell housing, flywheel, clutch stuff, etc can be used with a wide range of Ford ******s (Ford 4spd toploader for instance) or others with adapters. Still has the Ford weak link, 3 main bearings, so it wont ever rev very much. But there were some run on the salt back in the 50's in roadsters/coupes. Good engine to put in a F2/F3 and turn into a wrecker or ramp truck.
I had one with 9000 mi- sold it so I wouldnt put it in my roadster.was worried about being front heavy and reliable or not-/parts headaches etc.....
Thanks all of you for the informations on that "heavy case". I will check out the engine next Saturday and maybe take a few pic's. Anyway I keep you updated. Ted, no this engine is bone stock, it's the one in the magazin with all the stuff on it. Droptank, thanks for jumpin in. I really appreciate it. It would be great if you could post some pictures of your engine. 286, thanks for the special tips on hooking up a gearbox. One last OT question, what means "lol" and what "BTTT". I really have no clue.
LOL can have 2 meanings: Laughing Out Loud or Lots of Luck BTT means Back To The Top. On HAMB it gets the thread back on Page 1. If you notice tech stuff slides off real fast!
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