Real FE or 5.0 for my roadster?

This is my first thread and I'd appreciate some experienced input on this choice.

Through some luck and hard work I am starting a '32 roaster project this summer. My time is really limited so I'm starting with a Brookville "roller" package to give me a running start. I can't be so pure as to build it for an exact moment time except to say really close to this pic. (thanks whoever?)

So what engine to run? Read my avatar - Ford is a given. I always thought I would run a warmed up 5.0 / t-5 in any roadster I would build. But I ran across these guys in Georgia called Southern Automotive. They specialize in FE engines and their site lists 406 and 427 FE engines in same price range as Ford Motorsports small blocks. Anybody have experience with them? And do you guys think the FE would keep me out of the "belly button" category? I would use a top loader 4 speed behind it and I want to pound it good.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

Definatly wouldn't be belly button and I'm a big FE fan so I'd be partial. Will probably need a big shoehorn, If I remember right Grey Baskerville had a FE in his Duece roadster and had hood blisters to clear everything.

 

406 has a nice ring to it

besides, what are you building a streetrod....or a hotrod?

Toss the hood and show it off.

 

I love FE's too. And a bonus is that they started in '58, so you can still have the vintage appeal with some of the old speed equipment. It would definately get you out of the bellybutton category. FE, big in/out toploader, 9"....sounds great to me!

I'd check with the FE forum to see if some members there have had some history with Southern Automotive.

 

Southern Automotive has a great rep in the Cobra replica world. Check Club Cobra too.

Love the roadster!

 

Just a thought for that type of highboy; have you considered a Y block? Maybe with trips and stock style (but chrome) valve covers? That's a real pretty motor...and rarely seen in a 32.

 

FE. No question. Can't wait to see it.

 

My vote is for a FE.....

 

"FE...FE...FE..." just keep sayin' that before you go to sleep everynite. Jam it back into the firewall as far as you can. There is a guy around here that has an FE in an orange 32 roadster with tri power and a four speed and no hood sides.
We have a couple rod runs commin' up in the next few weeks I'll try to get you some pics of it.
ITS COOL...tons of torque it gotta be a blast to drive.
It ain't belly button it's tits...
Smokey

 

Another vote for the FE. I'm trying to use all the details that make it an early FE with the baldy style VCs with no breathers.



Not a Ford set up but it'll do with my budget.

There was a time when a SBF was different and attracted attention but there is no wow factor for them anymore.

 

Tripower FE, A friend in High School has a 62 406. I loved that car.

 

A friend had a 390 in his 34 5W and he stretched the frame rails 4 inches for it to fit then for fun stretched the front fenders and hood. It wasn't out of proportion when he finished. Craigs' would be the only FE at the local shows or cruise in.

 

FE.
we DON'T need another 5.0 anything...

 

Thanks guys! I was already diggin' the 406, so it didn't take much. I've been staring at a premo set of 59 T-Bird valve covers that have been on my shop wall for a few years callin' to me. Just missed a pair of Holman/Moody's last year too :- /

Tommy, you have a nice set-up workin there. I was also thinking 3/2's -
So I guess I'm in the market for a 3/2 set-up now.

I considered a Y-block but they seem real long with the iron water pump and stuff. I'm gonna need to buy a built engine because I don't have any machine shops within a couple of hours from here.

I recall a thread on here that had dimensions and engine weights but I can't find it. I normally like full hood but if I need to run open sides so be it.

 

talk with skotz here on the board , he`s been running a 427 fe in his orange
32 5 window since the 70`s
I would move the radiator foward and have a longer hood made instead of
setting it back in the fire wall and loosing all your leg room .
nice roadster !

 

Good tip, I'll PM him. The reason I'm building a deuce is for the leg room (and the girth room unfortunately) Is Skotz the full fendered car I see around Texas?

I'll look you up at Temple next week too.

 

This may help you decide........................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QnVJGprwHA&NR=1

 

TLI Racing Engines is in Medina, TX. Ty Loftstrum knows his way around an FE, even though his last couple of EMC entries were Mopars. Good guy, you might want to give him a holler. He isn't all that far from you. Here's his website:

http://www.tliracing.com/FEford.html

 

OK, up front this is coming from a small block/big block Chevy man. You've already picked a bitchin roadster to copy with the picture you posted, outstanding. Now get yourself a 390/406 Fe tri-power/top loader 4 spd. / 9"rear and never look back. A rich kid at my high school was given a '62 406 tri-power 4spd car for his graduation and I'll NEVER forget the thrill of riding in that car. Be sure to share the build with us and I call shotgun if I ever see you after the build.

Frank

 

My roadster has a late (hyd roller) 302, and I am very pleased with it. Having said that, a FE would certainly be bitch'n. Go with a Tremec five speed, and you are on the way to having a legendary car.

Speaking of legendary cars, Skot's coupe is right up there. The FE powered roadster was Bill Burnham's baby blue '29. If you have access to a library of older magazines, check out PHR in the late 60s for coverage of Tom McMullen's highboy; it got a blown 427 FE in the second half of the decade.

 

The engine is whatever size you say it is.
If you want traditional appearance use the FE.
If not, closed hood etc. use a 385 - more power, cheaper, easy to find.

 

I have both SBF and FE. SBF is the fit. Roller
motors with early intakes are cool and nobody
can tell the difference. FE would impress certain
people. Can't deny that. My choice is SBF.
You have to build it for YOU, not us.

Best,

 

Cool. If you're into Fords you have a lot of nice choices......

Flathead



Y- block





FE





small block










MEL




and the big'uns




Just like a Vegas buffet!

Oh and here's the FE powered roadster.....

 

sounds like a real choice to be made...but I'd go FE...and well, I will be when I build a certain car I've been thinking of..unless my 14 to 1 289 needs a new home....damn it, I'm in the same boat as you now..haha

 

If I remember correctly, FE's weigh around 650lbs (not too bad) Then, if you run aluminum heads & intake, it's much less (those iron intakes are monsters!).

 

i have a 428fe in my tbird its a good solid engine but repairs and performance items are 3 to 4 times more expensive also poor fuel mileage few choices if you want to fuel inject i would chose a little more modern disign if i was starting with a clean slate

 

F.E. Specialties, Sacramento, CA

EXPENSIVE to build.

get rid of the iron intake, it weighs about 10,000 lbs.

 

Either motor will put a smile on your face, it may just be bigger with the FE. I like mine. Swap aluminum heads and intake on for a major weight savings on the front end. As its been posted before, they are cast iron monsters to say the least.

 

Here is a page that gives dimensions and weights for Fords engines

http://www.mustangsandmore.com/ubb/EngineDimensions.html

Working on a '35 Ford pickup and I can tell you that you have to use the short water pump and timing cover from a '94-'95 Mustang for a 302 to fit. The FE as it is will actually be no appreciable amount longer, it will be wider and taller, but height on a '30's Ford isn't really an issue. If you are having to do special fitting. why not keep it '50's style? An FE was definitely a hot swap back in the day in the early Fords, the early Hemis took up even more room. And, a motor is only expensive if you make it that way. A reliable 400 hp FE can be done as cheap as a 400 hp 302, and will be much more fun to drive. Mileage will be about the same.

If I ever stray from the flattie in the '35 Tudor Humpback, it will be an FE. Just a nice 400 hp 390 built out of "junk" I have laying around.

JMO

 

I stand corrected, it was Burnham's instead of Baskervilles that had the FE. Damn, memory gets shorter with age for sure.
I'd find a tri-power for it for sure, nothing sounds like or feels like an FE with 6 barrels sucking air!(fond high school memory)