Here is one I'm doing. Before and after... I changed the valve covers and added a C-4-B intake. Got rid of the steel braid. An old version MSD distributor looks the part and black plug wires are next. I searched the 60's thread for ideas and it looks like the header color of choice was white or chrome so I will be doing white headers.
I too, went the Old$mobile route, albeit the 'next gen' because I like them and they pose a challenge. No aftermarket stuff, so you have to build your own brackets, linkage, exhaust, etc. The faux valve covers from the first gen Olds are a 'poser' accessory, along with fake patina. $200 to emulate something else, is wasted money to me. The ultimate lunacy along these lines was a kit for $2500. (Webb?) to make your SBC look like a Flathead
Title to this thread could easily be " new & improved ways to be a phony" ! LOL Or " Better ways to fool others" or "Counterfeit for everyone "
Yer ok, generally speaking and based on a majority of observations. However, I'm gonna call you out on this one. I have a 350 laying in wait. Might end up in my 39. It has the smaller dampener by chance, not the usual big one on later 350s. Do I think I'm gonna "fool" anyone by dressing it like a more vintage engine or will I be making an effort to stay in keeping with the rest of my build? 350s have been around since the 67 model year. If I paint it orange, finned Cal Customs, old school air cleaners, maybe even a tri-power, am I a poser or am I paying tribute the dress of the day when I show up to the party? Still a SBC, 1st variant at that (265-400). "What motor is that Jocko?" "It's a 350 but I wanted to be sure it was dressed right. They didn't have Moroso valve covers and Demon carbs back in the day so..." At that point did I respect the era of my build or stuff a sock in my pants? And all that in addition to, I like how older hot rod motors look. Doesn't mean I have to go back to a limp 265 or 283 jerked from a forlorn Belair. Did I miss something?
Just put a big block in it. No one will question you as to why. People always ask me to open my hood to see my 427.
Well I guess I can add my two cents again! Starts out my wife, a shopper was looking online for a 350 Chevy for my coupe. She managed to find a 350/260 horse crate motor delivered for $1329.00 with a 3 year warranty. Meanwhile I found a mint set of 62' steel valve covers for $50.00, and that included shipping. I had a 56' Chevy truck 265 where I used the generator and brackets, pulleys and assorted small parts. So when it came to the heads I looked for camel hump style with any valve size installed. A few months later, having no luck with vintage heads I removed the crate heads just for fun. Found the old 62' valve covers bolted right on, removed the valves, springs and seals. Did a port and relieve on those heads, and installed Thumper cam valve springs with better seals. I was sitting at my bench when it struck me that I could use my new heads, with hardened seats, and grind the front mounting area and fill the tapped holes with cut off studs. Then smoothed it and epoxied a piece of steel cut out like the hump pattern. Some high temp epoxy, enough to over fill the seams and shape it as required. Took some 40 grit sand paper and laid it on the filled areas and tapped it with a hammer till the surface looked cast. Paint and assembly followed. I hope it fools just one other guy and the effort will have been worth it! Here's some pics and the breather mods too. One issue was the starter would not fit because of the dual dipstick lumps, one on each side.
Sorry to say that some of you hoodlums are WAY too worried about the traditional police criticizing your engine. Most of us really don't care about totally traditional authenticity.
I think it’s fun making shit look like it belongs… This isn’t a sbc… but I took a fuel injected roller cam 351w and turned it into something that looked right at home in my ranchero. excuse the messy wires in this pic- My buddy Sam did some machine work and adapted a shaft to the Spaulding to make it work… then found the right combination of vintage parts. Found an oil pan off a Mach 1 mustang along with the timing cover etc… You can make or get adapters to run different valve covers. I got Offenhauser because they’re beautiful.
There's a difference between cleaning things up to look a little more sanitary and changing shit just to try to counterfeit an early SBC. Counterfeit, as in fake tits or a rolled-up sock in your pants. Fake is fake, but if that is who you are or what you're after.... knock yourself out (but you sure as hell won't impress me... not that it should matter).
@Hildy56 you getting any ideas from this bruh? The banter is priceless HAMB content, but through the smoky dim tavern atmosphere you can see some really well dressed engines. Whatcha think?
Kind of...you should have built a 327, instead of a lame 350. There's something magical about the numbers.
Ok, didn't build it, got it for payment and it's a known engine/quality. Also I have zero cash outlay, just a Saturday fuck around helping a pal and he gave it to me. I have 100 bucks in the valve covers, so same price for either. Do I really NEED to build up a 327 to be "right"? Right for who? I'd prefer bucks ahead already have it needs not a fkn thing but dress it up and plug it in. To me that is a win. Still, starting fresh, yeah I'd build a 331 with a tunnel ram and huge roller, stuff it into an OT light wt muscle car. Maybe...
Wow, strong opinions about what is or isn't appropriate hot rodding. Well here's mine! We all make our own rules, and spend the time and money to make it come true. Fake heads don't seem to matter when my coupe is glass, fake all around. I don't give a f''k what anyone thinks about my car or my style, it truly is for my pleasure only!!! Besides I like fake tits!!!
Well I don't care what anyone says, this is cool! Good job @Splitbudaba I like your attitude and creativity.
Yes sir, Moroso's baffle with screen and cap screws with safety wire. Also installed a lifter valley baffle. 50 years being an aircraft mechanic.
@Splitbudaba looks great to me. Working with what ya got and taking some extra time to make it look as good as possible to fit your style, Thats real hot rodding in my book ! F the naysayers, keep doing what ya do !
I did and it is.......magical, just being able to say 327, kind of like 427, there's just something about certain number combinations. I guess you had to be thère.......the 60's.
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