Not the best pics in the world. I dont have good overall pictures of the car or interior on this computer. Anybody on here have any pictures they can post feel free. Thanks, John
Was looking through this thread again.......sort of looks like a 58 corvette color. Is it a wrong color for a flathead powered hot rod? I'm thinking so. That color matches up with a SBC real good!
MercDuece, Thanks for the pix, not your "run of the mill" engine. It's beautiful. Sounds like that rod has been a test bed for many cool engines. But, the old flatty pic does it for me too. Good try, color is 1964 rambler "Lancelot turquoise". Hmmm....
That color is exactly the same as an old Hot Rod magazine feature of a 32 Ford fenderless flathead roadster, dated from 1951 0r 1952. I liked it a lot, and mixed a close copy of the tint for my 32 fake cabriolet.
I think a boner is thinking of '58 Corvette Regal Turquoise? Very close. This colour was on the tip my tongue because I have a "never never" project here with a C-1 heavy theme, have been looking at late fifties Corvette colours for a while now. I REALLY like '59 Crown Sapphire...
FG; I will see if I can find the modern magazine with the reprinted color pics from the teal metallic 32 taken back in 1951 or 52... I think the OP would like to see the car because it is very close to what his car has, and shows that modern colors were used back then.
The car you are talking about really rings a bell. When you post it, I will probably go "Oh yea, THAT one."
George I was thinking from your side today driving to pick some parts up and thought... I would be fine hypocrite-ing myself with a SBC engine if... If it's truly a fifties era mouse. Then I thought a Fuelie intake would be badass! An added bonus would be piss'n off the Tri-5 and Vette crowd at the same time, since we all care so much about who approves and disapproves of our build parameters. Maybe the OP just wants to do the Flatty thing for a bit. He could always switch back later or do what I would, build another car around the Chevy, who doesn't need an excuse for more cars?
You want to see the corvette resto guys have a seizure, put this pile on your hot rod, especially the valve covers.
Here's another vote for keeping the way it is. To keep things in perspective, a '57 small block Chevy engine swap at the time was only starting to become popular, it may not have been the first but at that time it wasn't common, a '57 block still didn't have side mounts. This would have been a pioneer car (In my opinion) and being a cabriolet only makes it more special. The engine leaks are no big deal but do require proper repair. The transmission problems too will require some work. Personally I would like to see a stronger vintage fix for that. We all recognize the fact the car is historical and I would like to see it kept the way it was but changing stance, wheels, light placement all come back to the fact the car is being changed to 2015 visions of early 60's styles. Put the fenders back in the attic but when anyone says "another small block Chevy" you can tell them that car was a pioneer.
As a flathead fan AND an early SBC fan, I have one question to ask... Do you like driving it or fixing it? I've only had one trouble free flathead, and it was still 5x more work and maintenance than any troublesome SBC I've had. Whatever you decide I know you'll do it right!
Could be just that. The engines coming out with the trans anyway. That early SBC was made so close in mounting locations to the flatty that it's easy to go back. Could not agree more. Especially with, "The transmission problems too will require some work. Personally I would like to see a stronger vintage fix for that" Can you expound on that idea?
Chevy Gasser really has it right here. Although I like a flatty, if the trans had not said bye bye, this would not have come up at all. Not hating the 283 in any way. Won't cost any more to freshen it up and put it back in than doing the flat. BTW, the flat would be a practically stock build. Cam and dual carbs. So, you've got 2 remedies. Put a flatty in which should be more friendly to the trans. Or, leave the 283 and go to a trans solution. It seems better for this survivor to go back engine wise rather than beefier trans. I'm looking for reliable driver and keep the car as intact and genuine as possible. I'm sure many will say to drive it tenderly with the 283 and the trans will last but that hasn't been the case. It gets many miles on it in the real world of L.A.
So, time to update. I spoke with Mac Vanpelt (Vanpelts) and we talked transmissions. Trans is getting the once over with nos hardware and will be reinstalled. While the engine is out, heads will be addressed. It has one original head and one replaced in the early 60's. I've found an original 57 head to replace it. Our own McTim64 here on the Hamb will prepare the heads and they'll go back on the 283. The engine will get sealed up, mated to the trans and go back home.
Great car and story! If ya don't mind me asking...do you know what school the P.O. teached at? Thanks
To 'expound on that idea', I read above that the Lincoln 25 tooth gears are 'stronger than the stock Ford gears' (Ford 28 & 29 tooth) I have had more than a couple of sets of Lincoln gear sets (Continental, not 'Zephyr'; 'Zephyrs were quoted because they sounded cooler, according to some of the L.A. elders) Any reason applied to the 'gear strength' difference betwixt 25 and 29 tooth gears is bound to be their ratio difference, as a flathead's high torque is in its power window. The lower ratio gears would be compromised therein, where the taller (25, 26 tooth) gears would be operating just under the peak power at lower RPM. I have broken low gear sliders/clusters in all ratios with 'equal success' behind mild and 'super' flatheads. Bottom line is that more effective torque can be applied to the tranny with lower ratio gears than with higher: imagine how much easier it is to blow low gear side-stepping the clutch in LOW than taking off in SECOND. That, while exaggerated, is the difference.
So is she making it to viva this year? Met you last year but didn't realize it was you till now, I had the T with the '56 265 and Columbia. Beautiful car glad to hear your staying early chevy V8. I correct people when they say mine is a SBC, it's a Chevy V8, no big blocks then
Gentlemans name was Roger. Ryan did a feature on the car, there may be something you recognize... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-b-b-cabriolet.964974/
No Viva this year, gonna take a year off. Ive been working on my 57 F100 and haven't had time to do the 32 the way I'd like. I've gotten my trans back from VanPelt and sometime this year I will pull the 283 and trans. The car had a "correct" head on one side and a later head on the other. I have a replacement head for it so there will be a matching pair. Have fun at Viva.
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