I got a new car in the family. Now I'm dreaming of a motor,I have a 283 sbc and access to a late 40s Flathead. I'm running a 39 Flathead in my 32 truck so I know they can be some what reliable but I'm thinking of a motor I can walk into most auto parts store and get a part for the motor if I'm on the road somewhere so I'm leaning toward the Chevy motor what to do what to do
I think you should sell that coupe to me for cheap and concentrate your efforts on the dodge van in the background....
Well since you asked... none of the above . Walking into parts stores and finding parts is overated. I suggest Chrysler Hemi, early Cadillac, early Olds Rocket and Buick Nailhead in that order. That is a great car! You never see chopped and channeled 32's anymore. I think the 5 windows look much better channelled. And the car is chopped enough as well. Many are not. My father had one like yours (chopped and channelled) in '55 with a Buick nailhead. I have seen pictures. I am going to ask my mother if she can find any. If she can I will post it (them).
Everyone's gonna have their own opinion this, but I vote for the sbc. Especially since it's a 283. A sbc is just as traditional as a hemi or a flatty (I don't have anything against either of 'em) and would be easier to find parts for on a road trip. My buddy has a '32 5 window that he put a 327 in @ 1965 or so and has owned the car since the early 50s. You're gonna do what ya want anyway, but I think the 283 is the way to go. *****in' car by the way.... -Troy
Since you've already got a flathead in one ride,go with the 283 in the new one. Nothing wrong with early sbc's , nothing at all.
Since I have driven from here to Toronto Canada 6 times in one summer with a chevy motor with problems from carbs to fuel pumps and ignition, I sir am an expert, hands down the 283......by the way, did you know they call sbc's "flathead killer" don't know what that means though
Damn.... you and I have exact opposite problems..... I've got too many old motors and not enough 32 coupes......
You have to decide what you're gonna do with the car. Until that decision is made, you'll get all kinds of recommendations. However, once that decision is made, the engine choice will become obvious.
damn that is a nice car - I love the small chevy but I think you'll really do better to put something more unique in it - an Olds or caddy mill would really be hot. You know rodders Journal Material. DAMN THAT THING LOOKS SWEET STRAIGHT AND RIGHT - YOU SIR - got a good one.
Definitely SBC. I read here about all the problems buys have with flatheads. Why bother? That thing is calling for the 283 with rams horn manifolds.
Hands down ... no questions about it ... The SBC is the easiest engine to find parts for ... on the road or at home ... Get a old 283 with the staggered pattern valve covers, a old intake with the oil fill in the front and a pretty set of valve covers. Then you are set ..
Depends on how you play with your car. Do you drive it or park it? I'd say it's SBC for miles and Flathead for smiles. How many miles did you drive this year? Perhaps that should be the start of a new thread...............
Build what you really want. If youre not sure yet, spend some time thinking about it before you proceed with the build. Several years ago I built a muscle car (not HAMB friendly) with a sbc because thats what I had available, even though I really wanted another bbc car. It ended up not being what I really wanted. I even changed it over from auto to 4 speed, but it wasnt the same as a bbc 4 speed car I had as a teenager. When I got bored with it, I ended up selling it and moved on to another project (a HAMB friendly project, so I guess the story has a happy ending). Whatever you think would be cool to live with should be your choice. Dan
How often have you broken down on the road, walked to a parts store, bought your replacement part, walked back to the car, had the proper tools to do such replacement, and actually got the car going again? If this happens to you all the time, maybe you should buy a Toyota. Build it however you want, but I love seeing anyhting but SBChevys. Flathead with a huffer and a pile of deuces!
The Jalopy Journal
