Hey Guys, New guy here from Kansas. I just picked up a 1930 Dodge 1-1/2 Ton truck (in pieces ). I'd like to eventually make a roadster/rat rod out of it. I was trying to think of engine selections for it. I just want it to be a fun cruiser, with some good get up and go, but nothing like a big cam race engine. I'd like to to stick with an the old skool Mopar Flathead 6 engine in it (Love the sound of the flatheads!), but didn't know how good of get up and go they got. Everyone I heard from says the torque is suprisingly good, true? Plus parts are $$ and can't pick up at any local auto parts store, con. Anyone got a mopar flathead in there hot rods? Other engine ideas were a 60s/70s small block V8 (318,340,360) or a newer magnum motor V8 (5.2 or 5.9). Which these are a little lower on the $ range, plus I can find parts locally for the most part if needed. Heres a pic of the '30 Dodge.
First, my thanks for not thinking of a chevy small block. I would find a 360 with a 904 out of a mid to late 70's car to fit in there. Easy 400 horsepower and tons of torque. Tons of parts available for the LA's. Anything LA - 273, 318, 340, 360 will be awesome in that little truck. The Magnums have great heads and roller cams so you have a head start there. If you have any Small Mopar questions, there are a few of us on this site that can help you with anything.
baby hemi. period. now, go to the intro section, read the rules, then post an intro... you'll get less static that way. no, i am not the "intro police". i just like knowing a tiny bit about people...
dakota v-6 plenty of power and it will fit the hood and the manual trans is small to fit also and cheap to buy and intro too
Stroker 318 or 360 would be my first choice. Is there enough room for a hyper pak /6? That would be different. Or if you could find one an old flat head straight 8 out of a 40's Chrysler.
I would go with your instinct and look for a 265 inch Chrysler flathead six. Yes they can be a very satisfying engine. No it's not going to blow off 454 powered Camaros. Eddgy Cams in Santa Rosa has pretty much everything you could want to build a nice Chrysler Spit Fire.
I had a flathead 6 in my '55 Dodge, 3 spd std, I was always impressed with that engine. I'd love another one.
Another vote for the Flathead. True, I most likely could have done a V8 for about the same money but then everybody has a V8. One of these days I will put my new Edgy head on this thing. Been setting in the garage for about 3 months.
Man! That Flathead is Sweet Lookin! I was kind of on the same thought line. Everyone's gotta V8 and keeping it somewhat original would be cool. Plus I know the flathead six would fit in the frame rails since that's what the truck came with. The only things that were making me think twice was the $$$ and if it had decent torque for cruising. I thought about the magnum motor idea w/FI for ease of street ability, but wanted to keep it simple and not have all the wiring. I have a 99 Dakota I pulled the 3.9 v6 out of and swapped in a 440 big block; should of kept the v6 for this project, maybe . I do like the idea of the baby hemi too, but that would be even more $$$. I'm just trying to keep on the low cost side making a rat rod/roadster. I appreciate all the input!
could supercharge it with a set up like this 51 Nash http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=520340&highlight=51+nash&page=7
Building a Chrysler 265 now .030 over bore, new pistons, valves, regrind on cam headers shaving the head .085, cleaning up the port on the block, Langdons HEI ignition, trips on a Manifolds by Moose intake 3 Holley Weber 2 Barrel 32/36 progressive 2 barrels, 2800 pound car R10 overdrive and 3:90 rear gears.
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