1932 Roadster Build - Which Engine???

How about a 409? Always thought it'd be nice in a deuce....otherwise my vote is always for a Cad....

 

The sameness applied to any single engine family is directly related to the imagination (or lack of same...) of the vehicle owners.
If you want to avoid "belly****on syndrome" just avoid crate engines and mailorder dress up parts in the WRONG car.

The original engines of all families are do-able in a traditional way without having to use modern parts. But you can screw up the look of any of them just as quick with some incorrect parts!

I'm a series 1 SBC lover myself...don't feel the least bit "cookie-cutter"!
The selection of era correct new/used performance and stock parts and combo's are incredible for that engine AND it covers the full spectrum of high performance history...post the beautiful Flathead era of course. (NO kicks to the flatty from me!)

If a series 1 small block Chevy installed in a nostalgic car looks "modern cookie-cutter", its due to the builders lack of imagination or lazyness...not a flaw in the basic engine selection.

If your not as concerned about "era correct", the more modern crate style engines can give amazing performance at a great price.

It's simple choice on the part of the owner...not a flaw in the cast iron.

 

I really hope you're gonna lose the ugly *** valve covers... they look very, very "street rod"...

 

354 or 392' Hemi with a 6-71. Can't get any more traditional a hot rod motor, and will make 600hp on pump gas without even trying. Plus it looks double nasty, mean, evil, and slightly intimidating.

Throw on mechinal FI like a Hilborn four port, or a Barn Door, or my favourite - a Scott Super Slot and it is the ultimate hotrod motor. Just be prepared to live with surging and hard starting.

 

I concur, build it with a 351W (but, you can get up to 427ci, not just 396!) I like chevy, but if you're building a ford, build a ford.

 

It's about love. The first hotrod I ever rode in was a flatty A bone, and I love me some SBCs and Hemis but, you can't miss with that sweet sound of flathead power thorugh open headers.

 

Some eye candy if the thought of a practical hemi tickles your fancy.

 

Here they are.

 

Nothing better than a 1959 430 lincoln, 6 94's,a joe hunt mag, top loader 4 speed in a 29 highboy! Just ask the G***erkid.........

 

"Think I would go with the 351W engine. Lots of speed parts & stroker kits to put it up to a 396c!"

Try 427 cid out of a 351w.
That's easy enough.
r

 

Well.... no... Brookville body.

 

sounds like you have gone through the trouble of getting some good pieces.

but out of all the engine options you choose a 351W??? does it come with a Hawaiin shirt and Oaklys too?

dont forget A/C and the Beach Boys CD.

 

Ouch!!! ... Remember I am still the FNG. This is why I asked for feedback. So tell me what you would do? Remember I want HP. Would you go with the SBC?

 

Ya took the words right out of my mouth!!!!!!,But I'd adapt a 5spd into the mix for the OD to save on the revs! Could also be remedied with the aforementioned quickie (Cyclone that is )

 

I strongly disagree with the way below quote re: Y-block & close to town cruise nites.

I have a 55 bird that has a 292 Y-block that has been up & down this state for longer than I have been on this earth & it hasn't been a problem yet!
I'd hate to tell Fabian & Willow that as they make their 1500mi round trips to Bonneville in the yellow C-dan to stay close ta Yucaipa because of a parts situation.
I have driven Flatties all over just the same, don't abuse em & they'll treat ya right.
In terms of getting parts, Mark will get an education, That's what he's here for. As for the Brookville body, Nothing wrong with that, It's the best body available for the job.
As for the small block chevy, by far it is the easiest way to go both cost wise & performance wise. I have one in my 34, It's fine but it's like vanilla ice cream, if I had to do it all over again, I'd do something different.
Kevin

 

Screw tradition put a Boss 429 in it (or is that 428 I'm confused).

Allison V 16, different and torque.

Then there is always a big Olds or Poncho or even a Caddy.

Personally I'm not a purest, what do you like?

What do you want to do with it? Big Blocks make more torque out of the box as a rule, but they'll make one handle like a pig as a rule. If I were after buildin' a Canyon racer i'd probably build it quick and light (light being the operative word here).

If I was after a 351 FOMOCO I'd be after the Cleveland.

Now that I've muddied up the waters sufficiently, what ya gonna build.

 

I would love to have a Brookville body on one of Squeek's ch***is.

but for no legitimate reason I never cared for the small block Fords..
maybe it has to do with the only one I ever owned,
a 289 in a '67 Mustang,
if there was ever a car that should be called a lemon,
that one was it,
I worked on it's never ending list of issues till the day I sold it.

a 351 with three twos would be cool,
but an older bigger motor could be really cool.

like a big old Poncho maybe?

 

If you're scared, say you're scared...

 

A 354 or 392 hemi is the way to go here. Kicks the **** out of anything else performance-wise, has killer good looks, parts are available, and not as costly as the realy exotic stuff (Ardun, etc.).

 

there was a 1932 Duesenberg motor for sale on ebay last week,
museum piece complete less valves..

 

The notion that small block Chevy motors are any more reliable or cheaper than any other motor is just something that SBC guys tell themselves and each other to make themselves feel better about having a boring motor.

I could buy a lot of good running engines, sometimes in complete, running parts cars, for less than a complete 350 four bolt goes for. Then I hear about guys having 3K in their small block buildup, yet they still talk about how cheap they are.

Hemi, Caddy, early Olds, 348/409, Y-block all great suggestions.

I personally would go for a 413 Chrysler with the long crossrams on it. That would put out more torque than your tires could keep planted, plus get a ****load of curious looks from the funky/cool intake design. Add a pre-63 Torqflite ****** and use the push****ons on the dash for even more coolness, and save yourself a little legroom in the process.

A '58 Edsel "400E" engine with a Tele-touch steering column would also be a looker with lots of power potential.

 

I say bring your proof to MoKan next August...

 

Re-read this quote carefully. I guess I'd have to agree. Someone needs this as their signature.

 

Its funny, Jimmy Whites car on ebay has a small block and no one is busting his balls - it is being talked about being one of the most TRAD cars built in a long time.

What ever - I say if you have to ask what motor to run, you've got bigger problems. You'll never get past anything in the build if you can't even decided that for yourself. Who cares what anyone else thinks but your own damn self.

What do you really like or have experience? That is all you need to know.

 

Stoker 351W to 427, they sell these whole now.

 

Not too scared . . . 462" & 3.70 gears....

 

My choices (not necessarily in this order)

292/312 Y-block
331/354/392 Chrysler Hemi
348/409 Chevy
354 Chrysler Poly (weird!)
400ci Pontiac (hold on to your hat)

 

That isn't a SBC... Then why are you preaching the belly ****on...

Of course I will go Buick to Buick.....

 

Wow!!! I have said many times in this thread that I am still a FNG. So... I am asking the question to educate myself. Not sure why you need to take a shot at me for asking for people's opinions. Again, I am new to this and am asking for help. As far as my building abilities.... well just wait and see. I have built many things and many motors, but that has been primarily in the two wheel area. Thank you for your.... help.