Pick an engine for an RPU..

OK - I'm still in the planning phase on my new project (1929 Ford Roadster Pickup), and I have a line on these options...

FORD: 223 Inline 6 w/ truck 4 speed. Possibly to include Ranger rearend.
- Pulled running from a '64 pickup. All accessories included. Tuned before removing from truck.

MOPAR: 225 Slant 6 w/ 904 Push****on.
- I have this engine in a donor car right now.

CHEVY: 350 / 350 combo.
- Not sure what is there.

MOPAR: 318 w/ 904 & rear end.
- From a 70 Dart. The guy is willing to trade this setup for my donor car. Has MT valve covers and 4bbl intake w/ 650 Holley (too big)

Thanks for your help!
- Joe

 

Car layout is a big factor here--if basically stock proportions are the plan, only the Chevy will fit the engine area reasonably well. If open, with frame made for the job and no fenders or such, engine bay can accept anything you plan for.

 

what bruce said...tp

 

It will be an open wheel pickup - but stance is really important. The wheelbase and the spacing from the firewall to the grill have to be as close to original as possible... I'm not opposed to recessing the center of the firewall for the Ford inline - the Slant would look bad recessed on 1 side, so I'd have to do the whole firewall. (I'd rather not)

I have a '40 Ford front end that I was planning on setting up suicide style, with the axle as close to the grill as possible.

I may have to pop for a drop axle if the stance is not what I want.

attached are pictures that I have saved because I like the stance.

 

I dig the Ford inliner with the 4 speed...

 

Then, get creative with the exhaust and intake.

 

how bout a nice flat head ?? nothinfg says rpu better than that!

 

I've only had one experience with that 904 ******. my brothers 71 dart ******* had one that had to be rebuilt 3 times in as many years. personally I would stay away from it.

 

Ford 223 L6 with all the goodies; plenty of speed and oh so much torque. Do you like spinning tires?
I dig seeing that many exhaust pipes together. In fact, inline 6 pipes prove to be a great custom feature on cars.

 

Ford 223 L6 with all the goodies; plenty of speed and oh so much torque. Do you like spinning tires?
I dig seeing that many exhaust pipes together. In fact, inline 6 pipes prove to be a great custom feature on cars.

 

Actually I never thought about a Flathead... I just kinda ***umed that it would be WAY out of my budget. I'm shooting for under $500 for my drivetrain.

Anyone have pix of a built 223?

- Joe

 

350/350...........

***uming a flathead will cost more than $500 is correct

the mopar motors could both be cool but the 904 ****** is the weakspot there

 

NO inliners... a hot rod isnt a postal jeep...

i dont like any of the combos, they arent my style.. but PLEASE a V8

 

The slant 6 would be way odd

 

ford inline 6 is the best choice. the rest are ****y

 

Is this a real Model A RPU body, or a cut up something-else? If it's real, it deserves more than a cheap-out freebie engine.

I'd probably go with the 350/350, and add unusual speed equipment as the budget allows. If you handicap it right from the start with some ****y six, you'll be sorry. If you gotta have a six, I picture a 40's Ford six with rare finned head.

 

It's the real deal, Henry Ford steel. (well, not the doors).

My plan is to build a budget hot rod. So far I'm on budget. I've had a donor car for a while ('63 Valiant that I bought as a donor to my daily driver '63 Valiant). It has a complete, running drivetrain, but after thinking about it, I'm not using the slant - just too damn awkward. I do have a strange love affair with inline 6 engines. There are the 2 Valiants, my '69 C-10 w/ a 250 and now, maybe this Ford in a Ford.

Besides what you see in the picture, I have a complete '40 front end, a 29 grill, a set of BLC headlights, 4- 17" Ford wire wheels and a Model A rear crossmember/ spring. I'm planning a home-made frame.

- Joe

 

go for the ford inline the guy that said that inlines are only for postal jeeps should get stuffed their are no rules for a hot-rod. I put a buick straight-eight into a 31 5window with a s10 5speed it looked total cool and a blast to drive.

 

I vote for the Ford six, but sell the 4 speed and find a five speed. My grandpa had a 223 six in a 59 PU with a factory auto trans. it went 88 in second, and 90 in high!!

 

It's not on your list but:: I would sell all the others and buy a Buick nailhead, I just like there looks. Maybe even the little 215 nailhead lookalike. Had a few of those and really like them. Looks and performance. All that aluminum exposed in the front a RPU sounds great.

 

Building around an engine you already have, unless that engine is something special, is a huge mistake IMO. Especially on an open engine car.

No hood? That engine is the focal point of the car, it needs to be right. The chevy's the only thing that can be dressed to look right out of the whole group. Best option is probably something entirely different. Keep looking. Good luck whatever the decision

 

If you are going to keep it forever use the 6 or any other odd combo you want. if you may sell it in a few years go with the 350-350 easy to sell.

 

Even if it's dresses up like GMC Bubba's 250?



- Joe

 

whats wrong with a...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280169236081

remember kids dont drink and bid. but i wasnt drinking, damn it

 

plenty of hop-up parts for the ford six and this is just one place: www.cl***icinlines.com

 

I vote for a HEMI

 

Out of the options you listed, I would go with the 318/904 combo. You can NOT screw those engines up...and they'll last forever while running strong!

Funnier still, a lot of people will mistake it for a Pontiac or even a small block Chevy V8 in an open car like that!!!

If starting from a clean slate, I'd run a "small block" Olds engine...260, 307, 350 or 403. They're also bulletproof performers...back it up with a Sagniaw four speed or a TH-350, maybe drop on some cool valve covers and an Offy dual quad intake and you'd have something there!!

Can't go wrong with either the 318 Mopar or the small block Olds!!

 

My first car was a 67 Valiant with a 318 and a 904. The only problem that I ever had with that ugly *** 4 door was master cylinder. Damn that was a fast car... Or maybe it seemed that way because of the f-ed brakes.

My buddy Jack (from the Lifters) has a 318 and a 727 in his pickup.



This is my son, Joey sitting in Jacks pickup..


- Joe​

 

Ford 223 six... and maybe a different trans.

Malcolm

 

My buddy that has the 223 was telling me that the 4 speed would work really well with a 323 rearend from a mid-80s Camero. I'll admit that I know nothing about rear ends.

- Joe