1932 Roadster Build - Which Engine???

A 460 isn't an FE motor, nothing interchanges.

I second the 409, built right it'll go toe to toe with a 396/454 and get a lot more looks. ****** choices and motor mounts are all the same as the SBC/BBC so you get everything in that package.

 

My bad, I'm confused again... stick with the 409, it's cooler anyways.

 

Sorry, no more "ready to post" shots. Plenty of old school photos - I built the thing 10 years ago. Let me know specifically what you want and I'll see what I can do.

Ford small blocks are very common here, as are Clevelands - we built them into the 80's. Both styles are used in 32's, and all years for that matter, with little fuss. Cleveland fits fine in a 32. No one ever stretches the ch***is.

With the C's, 2V heads are the go for a strong street engine, or the aftermarket 3V ones we have here that give the best of both with more modern chamber design.

 

Like the guy's said, if you are going to build a "period correct" car the engine will need to be from the same time. I'm like you, I like to put a Ford in a Ford. The SBF is lighter than a SBC but a little longer. You can build one for about the same price now. There are a lot of parts available for them also due to the popularity of the 5.0 Mustangs. The stroker kits have come down in price so that they are affordable.
Having said all that if you are wanting a new engine instead of rebuilding one the SBC is a good value. It's hard to beat the good looks of a Hemi, but they are hard to find and Expensive to build. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

 

Six years of abuse with this belly ****on....and the only problems are with two worn out ignition switches.

 

listen to hacker bill HEMI with a blower, a big one!

 

This'll be the FE then...

 

Nah, I'm not running a duece. Dueces ain't my thing. But if I was..... that's what I would do. And, I would hold out for an O.G. steel body. It's a good thing dueces ain't my thing, cuz I'd probably die holding my breath. Just a little tired of the SBC thing thats all. To each his own right? I'm sure the man who started this thread has pretty much made up his mind as to what mill he'll run. Good luck to him. My damn digital camera takes pictures that are too big to post for some reason, but if I could this is what you'd see:
64 Falcon+429+C6+9"= 100% Ford
41 Ford Kustom+8BA+C4+9"= 100% Ford
63 Lincoln+460+C6= 100% FoMoCo.
All this = Ford Guy

 

I'ts definitely NOT my fathers oldsmobile...

 

I'm older than you....not wiser....but definitely a wise ***. (cool new ride hack!)

 

If I were doing a deuce roadster I'd use a nice Merc Flathead with Zephyr gears, but if you NEED power, how about an early '60s drag theme with a 6x2 Thunderbird 390? Have'nt seen that yet and it would be cool as hell. 390's are easy to come by, get some correct T-bird valve covers, find an original 6-deuce FE intake (they are out there) and off 'ya go!
-Dean

 

Thats exactly what my A has except for the wide 5 wheels.

 

The FE fits with out major mods? I am surprised. I have been leaning towards the 302 or 351 but I do like the idea of it being "period correct".

So... another question. If I went with the FE, what trans would you guys use? Same question on the 302 or 351?

Thank you for everyones help. I know there have been a wide variety of opinions, but I like it. This has given me a great deal of info in a very short amount of time. I really appreciate it. Please continue.

 

By the looks that deuce has a recess in the firewall. No big deal, just costs some inside space depending on how it's done. How tall are you?

Smallblocks = C4. (or AOD or toploader or....)
FE= I dunno, FMX? Of course you can adapt anything to anything if you want to.

What's the period?

There's a difference between drawing on a period theme and "period perfect." Some folks get hung up on that.

My .02 only.

 

Toploader if you want to go with a 4 gear a note the big in and big out toploader ******s go for big bucks and the bell housings are a bit hard to find. Get a bell for a truck and a smallblock ****** will work fine for a light car.The T10 was used in the early 60s before the toploader came upon the scene so that is an option
Auto? C6 would be the best bet FMX are ok but not as strong. Performance wise go with the C4 (gotta change out the bellhousing) and build the **** outta it there is less HP loss between the C4s and the C6s.
AODs aare a bit weak for the torque the FEs put out. But may be OK for a light car.


Dawg

 

I have a line on a 1965 thunderbird. I know it most likely have an FE 390. Anyone know what transmission these cars had?

I would rather use both the engine and transmission out of this car if possible.

 

A '65 would have a Cruseomatic. The FMX is a newer version of it. The '66 got the C6, but for a light car a C4 can be used with an adapter. High powered drag cars also use the C4, with mods, to save weight and HP.

A SBF would be a sensible choice, but why be sensible in a hot rod? To me, a SBF just doesn't have any visual muscle (unless it has a set of weber downdrafts).

The Ford FE is a real period big muscle choice. Came out in '58. Seeing one with chromed early round top valve covers and a mulit carb setup would do the trick. I chose for my '35 a Ford 427, stoked to 483, with a 6x2 induction. A 390 can be built fairly cheap, and it's about the same size as a BBC (smaller than a 348/409). Plus there's a staggering supply of used speed parts in more varieties than you can imagine. Longer stroke cranks are common. Even more $$ will get you aluminum heads, water pump, even blocks.

Don't be affraid of that FE.

 

im not building a 32. but am building a 29.i'm putting in a buick 455 and a nice muncie 4 spd. these big buicks came with over 500 lbs torque stock.. it'll will be tons of fun, parts aren't as common as a sbc. but isn't half the fun of hotrodding and building cars looking for pieces? checking out the cl***ifieds. roaming threw swap meets, yard sales (you'll be suprised what you can find here) buying something cheap off and old rodder who you've talked to for half a hour at a show..maybe i don't know what im talking about..just my 0.02 worth!

talk to C9 he's done the 455 in the 32.

 

"second the 409, built right it'll go toe to toe with a 396/454 and get a lot more looks."

I can't imagine you making that statement unless you've been living under a rock. I LOVE 348/409's but there isn't a day that one built to identical specs would hold a candle to a MarkIV (396-454). Yes it might get more looks but that is only because most people around today have never seen one so It isn't a fair comparison.

Frank