I just got a 34 3 window chopped & channeled. It has a flathead in it but is just a mock up block. I can't decide if I want a flathead,olds rocket or a sbc in it
I can tell you for sure SBC is the cheap way out. Y-Block is my preference of choice. Flathead is cool, but olds rocket would be nice. Just don't go SBC whatever you do. Nailheads look killer as well.
One consideration that you must think about is the driveline.......that rearend is an open drive rear, so that means you cannot run a traditional old Ford trans and torque tube.... Consider the Olds, Cadillac, Buick Nailhead, or Y-Block Ford with a suitable transmission and driveshaft...... Suggest a T-5 for the Overdrive it has........ CB
sbc........just to piss most people here off , bonus points for a 302, but if its a real DZ id sell it to Z-28 resto guy for big bucks and build a de-stroked 327 (gotta have a muncie 4 speed too) FINK
My vote is for the flathead, with the Olds second choice. But I would change the rearend you've got to something that would better match the era of those two engines. Looks like a great project.
There will be a lot of hate by suggesting the SBC, but if it were done right I don't think the final result would get too much negative feedback. Now, by being done right I mean either a Rochester fuel injected 283 or 327 dressed just like they would have been removed from a '57-'65 Corvette, a 4-71 or 6-71 blown 327 w/dual AFB's and vertex mag and Hedman hedders, or (the cheapest) a 265 or 283, Rochester or Carter 4bbl stock dressed with tin covers and ram horn exhaust. The last one would have to be painted Chevrolet orange and wear a stock air cleaner and Delco Remy distributer with the wires running down the back of the engine and routed up to the plugs from below. A visible gl*** fuel filter and a generator would be mandatory. Frank
I'd also get rid of the 4-bar front suspension and go with split bones or wishbones and get the front down with a deeper dropped axle and/or pie cut the frame just in front of the firewall. With that chop you might consider a set of Halibrands with tall skinny bias plys. Frank
i am a huge flathead fan, when i saw the overall styling of your coupe I thought Flathead for sure, but with that rear end I would opt for Olds. Great looking car by the way. If it was mine I would QC it with a flathead.
Plans are to change the front end to split bones super bell axle a 40 ford rear end and maybe do a quick-change. I have a 324 olds 3 deuce and a hydro. I also have the 302 and 265 283 or 327 I have a friend that has a stock 34 frame and plan to remove the frame that is under it.I don't know much about the history of the car other than it was built in the 40s or 50s then some yahoo removed all the good stuff and replaced with what you see now I am leaning toward the olds. And I would like to run a manual trans. Also plan to use the 3.5 40 ford wheels that are on it.
Looks like we are going to do the Flatty with a 39 transmission. We stuck a set of bent spoke wires on it yesterday. That improved things also a tattersfield intake. Give me more ideas please. Looking for a 40 rear-end. I have located a set of thickston heads,head covers,intake and breather. What ideas do you guys have on colors. I already have several cars hot rod black and am looking for something different. Please keep the ideas & opinions comming
I voted flathead. The flathead just looks at home in mock-up mode. But then what do I know? I'm a HEMI guy.
the flatty would be cool , olds rocket would be cool to sbc would be cheap and cookie cutter but its your car and your decision in the end
Great looking car. I would go OHV with that rear end. (Really I would change the rear and go with a flathead.)
I'd take the Flathead any day. My second choice would be the Olds Rocket. I would only use the SBC if I was on a really tight budget.
I think you made the right choice.If you wanted your car to look just like every other Tom **** and Harry,then the chevy would have been ok.But you are showing you have some original thinking. Good choice.Now if you could just find a quick change for a reasonable amount............
The way the talk is around here you going with a sbc would be rare. Its all flat heads and nailheads.So you should play it safe and go with the rare sbc
Oh- that 4 bar fron suspension is too street-roddy. It will never be traditional. Let me come by & take it off your hands. No.... I insist.
If you are going for an early late 40's/50's look-flathead. Anything after about 1955 Olds (even though the Rocket motor was available before that, availability, speed equip. etc made it a rare option for rodders prior to 1955 or so).
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