Should I go with a 283 or a flathead 8

Greeting all, I've got a question. I'm building a 50 Chevy Fleetline. I was planning on replacing the 216 with a 283 to keep it period, but now I'm toying with the idea of finding an old flathead to throw in there. I really don't know a lot about flatheads, but I've always had a thing for them. Before I do a bunch of research on it, I figured I'd bounce it off you guys to find out I'm wasting my time. I do plan on using this car as a daily driver, so am I shooting myself in the foot with the whole flathead thing?

 

Consider your foot shot.

Rich

 

You related to this guy?

 

Go with the 283 and keep the Chevy a Chevy.

 

Hell ya now thats a camaro......

 

Nope, no relation there. I was smart enough to ask before I did it. Thanks for the advice, I was kind of on that path but just needed to confirm it.

 

350. More power..looks like a 283 and both are cheaper than a flattie

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If cost is a factor, flatheads are about as expensive as it gets and SBCs are at the other end of the scale!

 

Put a 54 and later 235 in it.

 

Yeah right, the reason not to use a flathead is price.

 

Flatheads are cool in those early cars and traditional hotrods but I, too, would not consider one for a daily driver where dependability is an issue. That said, when properly built, you should be good. There have been a lot of miles logged on them by factory cars and hot rods. A friend of mine back in high school drove a '52 Ford g***er with a flathead everywhere with no problems. Parts availability for quick repairs needed could be an issue though.

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283 or Flattie? Do the 283. More inline with what your upgrading, period wise. Shop around there were several on the HAMB cl***ifieds ready to run.

 

If you can find a flathead without a cracked block, and with a crank that hasn't already been ground too much, you can rebuild it for about twice what a SBC would cost. And it will put out about half the power.
They have to many waterpumps & not enough main bearings.

 

is it April 1st already?

 

This is what you need...a 57' 283 with dual quads...generator, tach drive etc.

 

Do it right, put a 283-350 in it. You can buy a 350 crate engine for less than what it will cost you to build a 283.

 

Never seen no **** like that!!!a flathead in a Chevy it's almost like putting a 216 in 33 ford three window coupe!!stick with a 283 buddy are just get the gun and get it over with!!!!
All kidding aside 283 is a better fit.......

 

283 is a cl***ic engine and considered traditional. HRP

 

SEEN THIS BEFORE!
Posts 3 & 15 are deja vu...
Just out of high school and a friend in our little town got his grand parents CHERRY 50 Merc. One owner car back then - like new. Too much beer and he stacked it up against a country bridge one night. Well, his dad was a car guy and he stuck that Merc into a 57 Chevy post. I drove it a few times - kinda different. Ran great and quite a conversation starter as I remember.

As far as your Fleetline is considered I vote for the SBC - this is a cl***ic fit!! LOL.

 

Had a neighbor, a Chevy engine guy at that, put a Ford flathead in his 1950 Chevy. A few years later he swapped it out for a 350 SBC.

 

Looks photo chopped to me....

 

HRP: I have a feeling you will be referenced some day.....TW

 

really..... was that a question.

 

The OP said "Flathead 8". Are we expected to ***ume Ford V8? Maybe he's talking about Pontiac, Olds, etc. Mmmmm maybe not?

What makes any flathead idea sacrileges is that Chevy went OHV so early.

I say full flow oil 235, 261, 292, 283, 327 in that order.

 

I vote for flathead 8

 

You see a lot of sbc's in Fords but not the other way. Another vote for the sbc

 

Maybe not. According to this link it isn't.

http://www.rodauthority.com/news/a-flathead-ford-powered-chevy-camaro-looks-like-it/

But then Elvis lives and sasquatch is in New York according to the 'Net also.

 

Buy a 290 HP 350 Crate Motor and go down the road. The best bang for your buck along with performance and a warranty.

 

I vote for the 283. The flat head V8 just seems too weird to me.