-Maybe some had following my ideas for a late 40’s era race style 32 5W coupe with a flathead, but allot of parts and ideas has change over time since I walk into new doors but I finally got it done what parts I did like to use. But as just started machining the 41 Mec block and the set-up is radical old hotrod with Potvin 425 cam, L&S heads, Multi x4 intake with Stromberg .101 Zephyr carbs, Kong distributor and dual DSM coils, aluminum flywheel and an old 10” Aburn clutch. The chassie is based on a std Henry frame and the transmission is a 39 Zephyr and the rear axle is a std 32 at 4.10 and a Okie Adams 4” drop front axle and 41 Zephyr brakes. The coupe is at an old 3” chop and I will use std gas tank and an older made LA hotrod hood and the sides has a 2 row of a 5” louvers. Wheels is Ford 16 x 4 front and Zephyr 16 x 5 rear. Tires is Firestone Deluxe 4.50/7.50. Dash is a 32 Auburn with a Hollywood panel with S/W wings and the steering wheel is a Bell Auto 15.5” 3-spoke and a F1 steering box. In this case it’s all cleaned up and many parts is restored as engine parts, transmission, rearend, starter, generator, gauges etc etc, and it took time and money ( plus allot of travel ) but far from all is fixed. But case now I got into an early Hemi fever.. I started as a customer brought in a 392 short block for machining for a vintage dragster. As a 426 dude for decades ( NHRA stock Hemi Cuda 70 ) I got fast hooked up. So I found locally a complete 354 on a pallet and a set of Imperial valve covers and I might found a Lasalle 37 transmission i LA now. I also found a Hildenbranth adapter here locally but no deal on that yet. I do also search for a Olds 50’s rear axle. Idea on the engine is keep it std in parts but I will use 555 heads from the 55 331 and over 10 in compression with modern pistons/rings and a mech rollercam ( save trouble of today’s flat tapped lifters/oil ) but not over .500 lift but a rather radical profile and 4 of 97 Stromberg on a Weiand intake and a Scintilla magnet I made at Cirello before to the FH, but I do need change the axle. Idea is get another std 32 frame and firewall ( and a 4-cyl radiator ) and build up new chassie based for the early Hemi. Then the idea is use the same Okie front axle, use splitted bones, and the Zephyr brakes and chrome the Olds rearend and a Ford buggy spring and use an open driveshaft and not use the hood and no gas tank. So I has start collect parts to this new side track idea. But the question is even if all this take time but the road is also fun but what chassie to start with ? I could hold up the FH and use this frame and firewall and change focus to the Hemi. Both ideas will/can be done so not sell parts. The FH has been the focus idea since I started this but the Hemi is just so cool. Period will be late 50’s instead of late 40’s. I do has Halibrand solids wheels 16” ( painted 5 and 6 inch ) but they don’t really feel late 50’s, or maybe. The coupe is set to a body guy maybe this winter, as I been waiting 2 years so I hope see some progress. Ideas.
I'm of the opinion we need to spend a lot of time at the beginning figuring out what we really want. I like to day dream about a car project when I'm riding my bike or on a long drive alone where I can focus on all the details. If the idea keeps coming back, and I stay with the basic concept through the whole mental build, then after some pause and reflection, (possibly months), I start building what I saw in my mind, and I generally make no deviations. Changing ideas leads to waste. Wasted time, money and resources. If the flathead was the goal, stick with it. But maybe you weren't really in love?
Well Congratulations on the '32 body and plan. My question is are you now talking of having one car or two? sounds like you need to finish the, nearly done, flathead. But the Hemi Dream has lit a new fire. Is there room in your life for a second ride? My choice then, would be a later 30s coupe. giving you a bit more room and strength. Your selections so far say that money is not a problem,,, so double down.
It’s a very tough call. I also would like to do an early hemi one day being a huge Mopar guy myself when I was younger (still am). Rebuilt a flathead, so would like the challenge of doing something different. At the end of the day, it will be the sum of the parts more than just a motor that determine if one looks better than the other. From a local show near Montreal back in Aug. From an overall aesthetic perspective, I would go with the FH powered one.
I built a 32 Roadster years ago with this Desoto motor, hooked to a Turbo 400. I was an expensive build, but was cool as hell. It kept up with traffic, and didn't overheat. My vote....
I too, would prefer the flathead. The fact that it's in a '32 rather than a Model A had nothing to do with my decision. Before I got old and arthritic, I was planning on "quick-change" engines for my tub. I have an 8BA, an early hemi and an Olds Rocket. I was planning on using a B/W T89 out of a sixties Ford pickup. I have the Hurst mounts for the Olds and the Hemi and the proper transmission adapters for both. I figured with proper planning of the exhaust, electrical, fuel and cooling hookups, it would be a minor job to change out the engine(s). Alas, my last few doctor's appointments stuck a fork in that plan.
Thanks on inputs. Just got back from a trip so I has the adaptor now for early Hemi to the Lasalle. I also got the cool 'Imperial' valvecovers. That was the highend engines/cars. I saw also the Chry Firepower and the Chry Industrial ( those was cool ) never seen them. I also has set up freight from Ca to Sweden for a 37 trans and got lucky find a Swden that will send out a container in end of this month, but I need first let the gears be inspected. I will not build 2 cars but 2 chassis. Question was what to put focus on. Both has its own cool ways. Maybe as 'mohr hp' said, I might not been that in love...as when the hemi walked in.. I has inspiration, I has time on my side and money is not the real issue. The FH and parts has been a huge deal, but if I focus on the Hemi this parts will be there and I will not get that nice std 32 Henry chassis open up for the Lasalle.
Nothing says hot rod like a hemi. Go to any car show and put a hot rod with a hemi on it and it will always have a people around it, it's just one of those things, it's a symbol of horsepower. ...
I run both currently. Unless you plan to supercharge the Flattie, go with the HEMI. Gobs of torque and if you up the compression and give it a good grind, it will put a smile on your face that noting can erase.
I'm in a similar delima, I'm building a 32 Cabriolet and can't decide which way to go. I've got a fresh 8BA flathead with finned heads, Merc crank decent cam and a blower but I've also got waiting in the barn, a 58 Chrysler 392 that was stuck when I got it and it seems determined to stay that way until I tear it down and knock all the pistons out. The only thing stopping me on the 392 is the cost of building one.(plus I've never worked on one)
Yes I know I’m not after the HP but some comp & cam in a Hemi get's a smile plus the valvecover has attract me since I was a kid ( but for me it went be the 426 ) But the FH I build is very racy and will be hard driven but I’m Ok on that but even so it dont give allot of HP, but one does a FH is aware of that. -What happens here is so many years on the Hemi and dragracing and then when hotrods came in ( after Cowid ) I stopped my new NHRA 'street-hemi' engine and focus on FH/hotrods. I never saw a 426 in the coupe, but now I’ll just fall for the early Hemi. I will has 2 chassis, and I get more into the idea of just mock up the FH in my nice std frame and get on the Hemi in another chassie. I will not sell my std chassies parts and engine/trans as allot of time/effort is in there. I will now collect the parts and give it a thought ! One told me today ; Ok it's nice find another Henry frame rails and semi box it up with a 34 cross but if you can live with a new American Stapings rails you get it all more easy ( I will thought that over )
Most of us can dream a lot faster than we can build! I would continue to complete the original FH, but keep looking for and acquiring the stuff to assemble the Hemi. I'm also a big fan of a Whale motor, but as others have said, don't change boats in the middle of the river.
if you wanna look at it,.. either works... you want power... hemi... they both look good...flat heads are like my wife.... now what did I do to piss you off this time baby...please take me home..
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