Hot Rods Leave as is Kustom or go Hot Rod

Leave it alone, unless you plan on running the motor out. If you just drive it around without putting your foot to it I don't think it's worth the effort and time.

Unless your just after the cool factor to say it's got a vette 327, in that case just change the valve covers and say that anyway, everyone knows there's a bunch that do that already....

 

I broke many transmissions and rear axles with stock parts and wasnt even trying. I recommend the 9" if you are actually going to drive it instead of the many guys here that rarely drive their car

 

Things to consider.
Center X member will need modifying or replacing for the Muncie mount.
The stock 9 inch will require floor clearance to suit the offset pinion (rear universal clearance) or go for a center pinion setup.
Muncie clutch to stock pedals will require some work (good threads on the HAMB), and the Muncie shifter placement will be problematic, search out a T & F top mount shifter or something similar.
If you can accomplish the swap quickly, go for it, you will have a stronger drivetrain, but I would just drive that beautiful coupe as is.

 

.. lol I already removed the Vette valve covers to install the Weiands.. co

 

Dave @D.Conrad has a 36 with black walls. He asked the question which would look better. Black walls or white walls. He had pic`s of both on the car. I liked the black walls better on the custom. If not for the pic`s, I would have picked white walls.

 

If it's fully functional as-is, I wouldn't touch it. So many cars get taken off of the road and taken apart in the pursuit of making them "better", never to run and drive again. Plus a muscle car era 4 speed just feels wrong for this car. I really like it the way it is, even the blackwalls.

If this car were mine, I'd leave it alone, and if I had a hankerin' to do some more building, I'd start in on a new project. There's lots of non-runners out there that need the love more than this thing needs a slightly larger small block and one more gear.

 

Too nice as it is, black walls are unique and cool. I would be mighty tempted to add skirts though.
I’ve never seen another set of valve covers like that.

 

the 327 is a great motor but not not a very big upgrade over the 283 imo
If it ain’t broke, drive it

 

I'll go against a suggestion made in several posts and plead for no whitewalls! Since you already have a running, driving car with the 283 and Ford driveline, I personally would leave that alone. Perhaps a slight drop in the front end and change to a mild version of big and little tires. Maybe a change of wheels and/or switching to small hubcaps instead of the full hubcaps on it now. Just enough changes to say "Hot Rod"!

Lynn

 

Thats a beautiful 36! Id leave it as is

 

Beef up the 283 and leave the rest alone. Nothing wrong with a good 283. Lippy

 

I'd do a mild small block, T5 and give it a little altitude adjustment. Blackwalls, black steelies and dog dish center caps would look pretty tough IMHO, so would chrome reverse with spider caps. It's already a cool looking car so it wouldn't take much to give it "the look"...

 

I agree. If you want a different look a set of polished Torque Thrusts and big and little black wall tires would be killer.

 

WWs and skirts
Mmmmmmmm

 

Thank you for all the replies so far... enjoy reading everyone's thoughts... open to more pros and cons.. lol

 

Not sure I have ever seen one of these votes stay basically 50/50. Basically says your car is pretty cool as-is and could be cool as a hot rod as well. As-is sounds easier (and cooler) to me.

 

327 with TKO 500 transmission. With a 9 inch ford rear end.

 

HOT ROD!....

 

Keep the drive train, drop the nose a bit, whites and something "different" for wheel covers....or send it to me . Reminds me of a 3 window from a few years back with a "full house" 312 Y in it. Love it!!!

 

It doesn’t need a 327 to be a hotrod. But I really like seeing those cars with a bit nose down. Super low to the ground isn’t my favorite, but I like them in a “sinister “ look/stance.
But I’m not a custom guy, I don’t dislike customs though.

 

I hit the { Go for it } I too like it as it is. But one of the best Hot Rod combination's is a 327 with a Muncie 4 speed. I have a 354 Hemi, a 389 Pontiac, but favorite is still the 327 with a Muncie 4 Speed. I really like that feeling of going though the gears! As Hot Rodders, we like to make them just a little faster. There's no such thing as a Girl that's too pretty, or a Hot Rod that's too Fast. lol

 

With the TKO idea it sounds like your next sentence will recommend a 4-link, coilovers, ifs, and billet wheels.

 

Nothing wrong with a 327 and a Muncie in that. It’s traditional as all hell! I also like the idea of WWW and skirts. Make it a true Rod and Kustom!

 

Like it as is..............

 

Leave it as is! Just enjoy it as it is, but go ahead and pick up the 327 & Muncie for a future project.

 

As it is currently, outside appearance looks like a stock, but with full wheel covers coupe...neither a custom, or a Hot Rod.
It appears to be slightly higher in the front, yet not enough for the tail dragger "look".
Full wheel covers are hinting towards a mild custom vibe, yet not enough to pull off even a mild custom look.
Engine?...283/327 really that's a push.
Transmission...current 3spd stock Ford vs potential Muncie 4 spd?
That change would push it towards the Hot rod feel, which in turn would set what direction to go, full on Hot Rod requiring a change in stance, tire/wheels, etc.
Current drivetrain would work fine with the mild custom look, or tail dragger...customs can and are cool, without having to cam lope into the car show field.
Whatever direction you go with, a see a stance change in your future.

 

Super Nice problem to have !

 

A friend of mine has owned a 40 Ford Coupe for many years and it has a "real deal" 301 Cu. In. Chevy with a Ford 3-speed (column shift even) and the original banjo rearend. It's black, with a black and white interior and is riding on chrome wheels and blackwall tires. In my opinion it just says "traditional hot rod" all over, mostly because it is, and has been that way for about 45+ years! What could be better than that? Your car would have that same feel and look.

If you tear it apart to make all the changes you mentioned you gain a little performance but in reality you're mostly loosing the pleasure of driving the car for......how long? Cars like you already have are timeless.

Want a project? Maybe look for another car to work on and/or build.

Lynn

 

Well I have to say there's no way I would pass on picking up the 327/Muncie combo if the getting is good, that's a setup that never hurts to have on deck. It's increasingly difficult to find good drivetrain parts and that's a sweetheart setup.

For your 36, that's a beautiful car! I think I'd be interested in throwing a 312 Y-block in there and looking for a McCulloch or Paxton supercharger. Best of luck on that but how cool would that be under the hood! Back to Ford, unique and super cool!!!

Otherwise for a driver/cruiser any small block V8 and 4-speed is a good time, and it never hurts to heat it up a bit if you want to be able to play a little more with a little more horse pressure. 283 to 327 is a lickety split easy swap so hard to go wrong there. Get your preps done, grab a buddy, crack a beer and you have a well-spent Saturday!!! I'm onboard with dropping the nose a little bit and also dig the black walls.

Whatever you do, do it because YOU want to and have fun!

 

I think this thread has helped remind me to never ask for opinions here. But, it also reminds me that there is more than one way to build these cars which is what makes it fun and keeps all the cars from looking alike.