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got a problem, a good one- flathead or early hemi?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by bigvinny, Aug 28, 2012.

  1. bigvinny
    Joined: Jun 24, 2012
    Posts: 282

    bigvinny
    Member

    gathering parts for my A v8 project. so far I have 30 A rolling ch***ie. 42 spindles,juice brakes and banjo rear. 53 ford flathead stripped ready to go to machine shop. thee speed manual side shift trans.two holley 94s. Now the problem, picked up a complete desoto hemi running drive train with 4 speed I couldnt p*** up. what would be cooler for traditional hot rod build, hemi or flatty. Im gona keep both engines but up in the air on what to mock up in A frame. I like problems like this!
     
  2. INVISIBLEKID
    Joined: Jun 19, 2006
    Posts: 2,647

    INVISIBLEKID
    Member
    from Gilroy,CA

  3. oakhill
    Joined: Apr 1, 2012
    Posts: 214

    oakhill
    Member

    I'd go with the flathead.
     
  4. bigvinny
    Joined: Jun 24, 2012
    Posts: 282

    bigvinny
    Member

    could put hemi in my 40 chysler royal but would be tight fit
     
  5. Baron
    Joined: Aug 13, 2004
    Posts: 3,672

    Baron
    Member

    I say use the Hemi.
     
  6. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,618

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    When I built my '27 Highboy roadster, I had a 59L flathead and a Gift Chrysler 354.

    I built the roadster with both. Flathead could be removed and Chrysler replaced in about an hour...Multiple plug did the wire harness, and the Chrysler had a Horne 4-jugger, (flathead had an Edelbrock 4-jugger) both engines had 2 radiator hoses, and Chrysler had a pair of M/T valve covers, with the M/T milled off and fins added. Looked like a giant flathead!)
    Everybody thought I had 2 Highboys.
     
  7. bigvinny
    Joined: Jun 24, 2012
    Posts: 282

    bigvinny
    Member

    leaning that way (hemi)
     
  8. Model A Mark
    Joined: Apr 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,322

    Model A Mark
    Member
    from dallas

    the hemi will brake the bango
     
  9. afaulk
    Joined: Jul 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,194

    afaulk
    Member

    Flatheads are cool too, but the hemi will be faster and to me at least, faster is cooler!
     
  10. Baron
    Joined: Aug 13, 2004
    Posts: 3,672

    Baron
    Member

  11. oldscout
    Joined: May 19, 2010
    Posts: 31

    oldscout
    Member
    from NE PA

    Flathead, Love the look
     
  12. pinkynoegg
    Joined: Dec 11, 2011
    Posts: 1,136

    pinkynoegg
    Member

    That banjo will be screaming if you put the hemi in front of it. unless you can switch the rear end i would stay with flathead. also depends on the look your going for
     
  13. odcics2
    Joined: Dec 12, 2010
    Posts: 39

    odcics2
    Member
    from S.E. MI

    Put a 'Yeah, I got a hemi" sticker on your bumper, if you go hemi...
     
  14. bigvinny
    Joined: Jun 24, 2012
    Posts: 282

    bigvinny
    Member

    this hemi is pretty mild, but point is well taken. I do love the look of the banjo. I love the look of the flathead and hemi, thats why this will be tough choice. I see alot of real nice flattys in rods at shows and they are cool, I have only seen 1 or 2 early hemi rods in person and they are ***s. I see a lot of rats with hemis thats seems odd, mabe they are going for the contrast of rusty junk and a somewhat exotic looking hemi.
     
  15. bigvinny
    Joined: Jun 24, 2012
    Posts: 282

    bigvinny
    Member

    would the banjo hemi combo really be an issue? I would have to guess that hemi is maybe 200 hp tops and car will mainly be a cruiser
     
  16. pinkynoegg
    Joined: Dec 11, 2011
    Posts: 1,136

    pinkynoegg
    Member

    you gotta realize that the banjo was made for a stock flathead pushing 100 horses. it might survive but ive been told that unless it is a COMPLETELY stock hemi (talking 331 or 354) then it will be trouble.
     
  17. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,396

    sunbeam
    Member

    Early 276 were as low as 160 hp and late 341s went to 325.
     
  18. Ebbsspeed
    Joined: Nov 11, 2005
    Posts: 6,491

    Ebbsspeed
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Slightly veering from the OP's post, but I have a question. I thought an AV8 implied a flathead, can you still call it an AV8 with a hemi? I guess it would still be an A with a V8......
     
  19. KustomCars
    Joined: Jul 31, 2011
    Posts: 3,593

    KustomCars
    Member
    from Minnesota

  20. 35desoto
    Joined: Oct 6, 2009
    Posts: 775

    35desoto
    Member

  21. 45_70Sharps
    Joined: May 19, 2010
    Posts: 331

    45_70Sharps
    Member

    If the budget is an issue you might want to price both builds to help decide.
    Other than that, they are both very cool and make it a completely different car.

    I think the flathead would be a cooler rod myself.
    Bonus of using the flathead is that the Hemi sitting in the garage is going to be a good engine choice for a wider variety of cars.
    After the AV8 is done, you can start shopping for another car!
     
  22. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    Get a mouse motor, problem solved.
     
  23. milwscruffy
    Joined: Aug 29, 2006
    Posts: 4,191

    milwscruffy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER


    It's all in how you drive it.
     
  24. Speed Gems
    Joined: Jul 17, 2012
    Posts: 6,926

    Speed Gems
    Member

    I'd go with the Desoto just for it's rarity. Put a low gear in it and use the banjo.
     
  25. teddyp
    Joined: May 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,195

    teddyp
    Member

    Both make a good looking motor in a open hood car the choice is yours we all know but you all hate to amit a sbc would be the best chioce more power good looking motor and you get to piss off all the want to be,s
     
  26. bigvinny
    Joined: Jun 24, 2012
    Posts: 282

    bigvinny
    Member

    I know the SB chev is an all time great mill but Im afraid I might jump into someone elses rod by mistake and drive away.
     
  27. bigvinny
    Joined: Jun 24, 2012
    Posts: 282

    bigvinny
    Member

    I like the way you think!
     
  28. EARLYHEMIBILL
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 465

    EARLYHEMIBILL
    Member
    from ?

    The hemi for sure! The extra money spent will be worth it for the eye-candy effect.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2012
  29. larry woods
    Joined: Jan 20, 2010
    Posts: 566

    larry woods
    Member
    from venice fl

    Prior to my trip with the "bones" to the salt I would have opted for an ohv. But traveling some 5000mi +/- in the flathead powered "buckboard" (40 panel) I gained a whole new respect for those venerable faltties! I would opt for the flathead! It will be a blast!
     

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