Help me decide how to power my Deuce

A few monthes back i scored my "Dream Car" project,a super solid 32 5 window.I've always pictured it with a flathead but as i get closer to starting the build i'm having second thoughts.Not that i don't love flatheads,but i've had flathead powered cars before.I'm thinking i may want a little more get up and go than the flathead has to offer.I want the car to be an early fifties period build.Initially i will most likely run it as a primered highboy,just to get it on the road, but eventually it will be full fendered with a nice period interior.It will remain unchopped.Steelies with big n little firestones,39 merc rear with 3;54 gears,40 ford brakes and the dropped big beam axle that has been with it for years.I have a nice 49 Merc flathead,standard bore that needs rebuilt and severel 39 ford trannies to choose from.The car came with split 32 wishbones that i could easily put back together and an original 32 K member.I also have a 49 Olds 303,still in the car but i'm sure it will need a rebuild.I have severel cad/lasalle trannies and also a nice 37 olds topshifter .I have the stick flywheel and related parts .I have a nice 40 ford X member which might work out better than the stock K ,should I go with the olds .I also have access to a 331 cadillac,condition unknown. So i have plenty of options,just looking for a different perspective and wonder what other guys would do and why.

 

All the engines would be good choices,,I'm leaning more to the flatty but the Caddy would be a good looking engine in the coupe. HRP

 

Caddy.

 

go caddy

 

Another Caddy Vote

 

I'm all about the Cadillacs too. But I wouldn't knock the Nailheads for power. You would be, after all, putting either one into a car that is half the weight of what they used to power. Nailheads have a really amazing and distinct sound, and if you plan to run hoodless, the Nailhead is iconic. Not to mention the difficulty you'll find when trying to hop up a Cadillac that isn't a 472 or a 500.

 

Who are you building the car for ...you or for them...

It's your car, build it your way.

 

x2 especially with the Lasalle trans. Doesn't get more traditional than that.

 

I vote the Caddy just because I've always wanted to power a hot rod with one. I came close once, had the engine (needed a rebuild) and trans w/adapter but wimped out at the last moment for a SBC already to go w/ a BW 4spd.

Frank

 

Y-block, FE, 289, or flathead.

 

I will vote caddy as well, at least, if it were mine.

 

Traditional 32 costs money.
How traditional do you want to be?
A 14 second, 95 mph 1/4 mile flathead will cost about
the same as rebuilding a Cadillac and you can run a 39 box that you have.
Cad/LaSalle transmissions can be made to shift fast but not as fast as a 39 Ford.
They don't have ideal ratios like 25 or 26 tooth Fords either.

 

Bang a Nailhead in that bad boy!!

 

Don't second guess yourself, You knew what you wanted to begin with, Sell all that other stuff and Build the bad*** decked out flathead you wanted to begin with and live your dream....You may have had flathead powered cars before, But a well built stroked hot flathead has all the get up and go that little deuce needs...

 

Doggone. Nobody gives advice worth a hoot anymore. It's all flash. Stuff that you gotta plop down the beans for parts and hunt everywhere to find stuff an' help to build it. You want a power plant with infinite choices, and parts out there like fungii, just for the pickin', get a small block Chevy. Yeah, I know. Belly ****on motor and all that. Blah blah blah. But, it is a period choice. And, there are some trad parts out there. An' you can damn near drive 'em forever 'cause they keep on keepin' on. An' tinkerin' on one can be done without ever goin' to the dealership. Intakes with three 97's, Cal Custom valve covers, and 'Vette 2 1/2 inch dump ram's horns, a nice Mallory distributor, and what ****** did you want? From the get-go adapters for all kinds of stuff were available. And innards are endlessly variable, according to your particular mania. But, still, if I was rich I'd put a nice little 220 Offy in it. I did say rich. It'd be a forking insane. Four banger, you could say. Yeah.

 

I got this really crazzy idea you dont see to often. Why dont you jam a ford in the ford!!!!

 

it already has a 303? what's the problem? get to building!

 

First choice would be a Caddy or like HH said just rebuild the 303.

 

SBC (luv 'em)...no good here because he wants EARLY 50's.
Same thing with a sweet sounding 289 unfortunately!
Flatty...cool and iconic obviously.
Caddy isn't bad but...I dunno...has been done a fair bit. Still.........

I'm thinking that if a Y-block was spinning Doane Spencers imagination around back when he had the Roadster then I might give one of those a shot if I had the chance!

 

My only choice would be 331 Caddy. JFrolica on here builds an aluminum 4X2 log intake if you don't want to build the Olds. What ever you want!

 

Flathead all the way.

 

Need I say more.

 

Bob, Can't believe all the Olds guys on here are asleep! Cads are nice but hard to find speed parts for them as compared to the Olds. Seems the Olds parts are a lttle less expensive. Neither are cheap to rebuild. I believe Harley just went thru this with his build and bought a Cad but now I think it needs a bunch of work sad to say. Talk to Tony at Ross about the two to get a rebuilders input. I am partial to the Olds but hang with the old crowd like F&J and Dave50 who run Olds so I am clearly biased. The coupe I got from you will eventually run a bored 324 with 4 97's and a 37 Lasalle ******.

 

Those ideas I have rolled around in my head for months and years are the result of so much thinking, looking at the situation from every possible angle, take into consideration my experience, emotions and intangibles I am not even consciously aware of. I always find myself regretting my decision when I stray from that first instinct.

 

When I was about 10 (1955) one of my brother's buds came by with a full-fendered 32 3w with a newly installed Olds and hydromatic. We went for ice cream in it and when Ken hit the pedal the thrust back into the seat was impressive. Under the hood was as is from the junk-yard at first but he scrubbed and painted etc and eventually added more carbs and it was a sight to behold. I would never deny the beauty of a dressed flathead but the early ohv s were something else as well. The coal room in the ba*****t kept filling up with flatheads as my brother's friends replaced them in their rides. He kept them for back-up in his 3w! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices you present.

 

Nah, don't put an internal combustion engine in it! Just keep it for soap box rallies and so forth............
That or stay Henry, I vote flathead!

But.............
As has been stated before, build that beautiful Roadster for YOU!

Doc.

 

I'd keep the 303! A lot less work since it's already in there, and there won't be another 32/303 sitting beside you at the next cruise or show!

 

Depends on if you want to pinpoint a particular year for the build. Your choices are great but an oft overlooked pick is the poncho.Installed in GMC's before the sbc was born. Great aftermarket support and vintage speed parts coupled with today's stroker kits you'll have everyone eating crow!

 

If you are building the car just to drive and don't care what other people think, SBC. Put solid side panels on the hood and pad lock it closed so nobody will know. If you want people to look at the motor, anything else will do. My .02.

 

If it has a Olds then no need to look for another motor,I had a 53 Olds with the 303 that ran good and would get 25 miles to the gallon on the highway in a heavy car.