What engine to use in my shoebox

I'd vote, but I don't see any options.
Cadillac flathead???? WTF?
And the other options are just too late for me.

Ford, Merc or Lincoln Flathead or a Y-block—those are the only engines I would put in a Shoebox.
Personally, I puke a little when I see a GM product in a Ford. I LOVE GM stuff, but they belong in GM stuff and vise versa.

I don't like seeing ****s on chicks either... call me kooky.

Remember—you asked.

 

BAHAHAHAHA I spit coffee out of my nose on that one!

 

At this point I am still undecided, I will most likely be undecided up till the point I start putting an engine in the car!!

I am going to fill up the cylinders on the caddy with atf/acetone to try to loosen up the valves. OR try to find a pair of head gaskets to I can pull the heads and see what needs fixed...I really would like to use this engine in something and this would probally be the best for it since it is a heavy car needing lots of torque to move. I have a few model A's BUT I think the caddy is a bit big for an A.

460 route would probably be pretty easy, have a lot or torque and be reliable...so this is my fall back plan if nothing else comes up.

I would be willing to go with a y-block IF I can find a decent running one cheap or trade for it.

I also would go FE if I could find a running 428 or 410 or 406...or a 427....but doubt I could find one of those cheap!!!

The easiest would be a merc flathead.....I have a few BUT the good running ones I have are already for my 48 f-1 and my A coupe hotrod...the others need rebuilt $$$.

I also have access to a rebuilt 327, and while they are great engines I just get tired of seeing them all the time in cars and don't want to continue that trend.

My main issue if that with the cost of paint and interior kits for these cars I really don't want to have to spend $$ rebuilding an engine on this car so I am trying to use what I have or can trade for.

Thanks for all the opinions guys!!!!

 

"None of the above". NAILHEAD Obviously.

 

I would love to run one but haven't had any luck finding one locally.

 

I think you are talking about a Nailhead with this statement... If so, there is a guy down my way had that had a 322 for sale a little while back for a reasonable amount. PM if interested.

 

A buddy had a 331 Hemi in his 50.....

 

I did end up picking up nailhead but it turned out to be junk. I also picked up a 331 hemi cheap but it needs built so I just have it around to decorate the garage for now.

However I came across some property that I want to buy so I am going to try to sell the car off plus a few other things to raise funds. A complete vision of the car never really materialized in my head so i can live without it if I can recoupe some of my cash.

 

Should'nt we make a HAMB friendly rule that sbc motors made after the 327 can't be considered traditional?
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I second that!<!-- / message -->

 

If that Caddy has a hydro behind it, it shold be worth some $$$$!

 

Why go vintage? go to the wrecking yard and pull a explorer v6 engine & overdrive trans. good mileage and different.

 

Kinda the opposite of what this Forum is about....

 

well if you go with the 460 put up a lot of pics because I got a 51 and im going to either use one of my 460s or 429s.which one is easiest to get out of the corner of the shop!

 

Ditto, go with the FE power !! Ford in a Ford........

Happy Roddin' 4TTRUK

 

Actually I found a better car and gave up on this project. I am currently parting it out.


I picked this up and put it on the road already

 

I like the thought of the caddy flatty, that said, the 352 might be cool, I've got a 68 302 in mine...but would prefer a flatty, for nostalgia sake...

 

yeap and don't do what he said...put an exploder motor in it

 

You don't want that '56 Vicky. Send it to me.

That was my first car.

 

I was going to put a 460/365 hp in my Merc
but I would have to Box the Frame to hold
up for that amount of Power & Torque
that that engine has
so I went the other way 327/300 hp

just my 3.5 cents