nice older gentleman stopped by the other day he's a local racer, has been for a long time. he's puting together a car like his first car one he and his father built in the fifties '37 Chevy with a J2 motor and Lasalle transmission he is interested in my J2 and one of my transmissions.. I told him I might consider a trade he offered an early hemi and transmission probably a 354 and auto. I've always dug hemis my first car had a 354 in it. but lately I've been digging the Olds' and it took a long time to find a real J2 I could afford. just rambling here.. a slow moment at work.
Tough call... I guess the question would be, which would be harder to find once you have the other in your posession? It's cool of you to even consider such a thing - a lot of folks wouldn't. Maybe you could ask him to put a stipulation in his will? Just joking. I'd take the HEMI.
You will regret getting rid of the Rocket.. & if Hemis are the new SBC, then Nailheads and Rockets are the new flatheads... - Joe
I take exception good sir! I'm going to ask you to refrain from making that statement until parts prices drop into the same realm.
Lets see if I get this right. You have a J-2 and the old guy has a 354. He wants to build a car like one he and his dad built, you are younger ( and we assume, with additional opportunities to acquire another J-2 ) and apparently like the Hemi as much as the J-2. So why not do the fellow a BIG favor and help him with his project? A couple extra points in the 'good deed' column can't be a bad thing if karma is considered. And NO, the Hemi will never be a common place as that shiverlay thang, simply based on quantity and cost. Thank Zeus.
I think a Hemi would look funny in your shop full of Olds...... But there's no denying the ALLURE of a Hemi....the ultimate hot rod motor. If ya decide on the Hemi, I've got just the tranny for it......autos have no place behind a Hemi......
When, I see them being put in cars for convenience I'll agree with that statement. Until then I'll let you tussle with the history and allure of hemi. True, a lot of people have them now (including myself) but a lot of people have flatheads and that does not take away from the fact that they are the foundation of Hot rods. I would say let the man have the Olds because it would complete his car and give you a bass ass engine in the end anyways. The story behind his build is cool enough to let it go.
my old shop teacher had a 41' ford coupe with a J2 in it and that car flew! he used to get his shop scrubbed clean on the weekend when a big mouth claiming their car could do a better burnout and well couldn't! it was the ultimate sleeper. the hemi is cool but my vote is for the J2!
It all comes down to what floats your boat. I'm a hemi guy but you all knew that. The new SBC? Hardly. A lot of folks have them sitting around but there aren't all that many actually driving around.
They're both cool, but you could sure make that old guy happy and not really lose any cool factor on your end...............
My dads cousin had a chopped and dropped 52 ford with a J-2 in Sidney MT and the stories my dad tells me of riding in that car in the 50's are great. He ran cheater slicks on the weekends
It's kinda like brunette or redhead? How do you answer that? Even though I am a dyed in the wool Chrysler guy, I'd vote Rocket myself. But I do agree with the "karma points" thing. In the end, I say BLONDE! Jay
Trade for the Hemi, it would be the right thing to do. You'll be old and full of dreams some day too.