With my busy life, I'll probably only build one hot rod so i've got to decide which motor to run. I'm building a 31 model a coupe on 32 rails with original dropped axle, 40 juice brakes, 41 banjo rea end, f1 pedal assy and 600/750's on 35 ford 16" spoke wheels and a flathead v8 with 39 3 spd. forty's style hot rod......or i'll change the rear axle for a 57-59 ranchero 9", run 15" steel wheels with cheater slicks and a '56 fireflite hemi with a 4spd, 50's style hot rod. I always like the look of the flathead but i'm afraid it might be a little under powered for this area, pretty much have to drive the freeways to go anywhere. Anybody running a flathead wish they went another route? Anybody running a hemi wish they were running a flathead?
I love flatheads, but if I had a Hemi at my disposal I would run that no questions asked. You can't beat the power of the Hemi, or the sound of the flatty. Either way you can't lose. One thing you HAVE to do is run a stick. Don't bitch out for an auto, otherwise you could just run a 350/350 with all the other one legged wonders. Thats just my 2 cents. Good luck man. Can't wait to see pics of it finished.
I wish my problems were this complicated. Sell the hemi, buy a supercharger for the flattie, buy bunch of booze, invite your freinds for the install. hire a stripper with the rest of the cash.
I'm a die hard flathead guy but I'd have to agree. Plus, it's a DeSoto which raises the coolness factor by 10 in my book.
Damn skwurl....considering complete pans are going for more than hemi's now I'll gladly send ya one for a decent pan! I'll stop hijacking and get back to the question posted. The flatty will be pretty responsive with a T5. Still won't break the sound barrier but it will have the power you need around town and on the highways. I would go the hemi route for a car to flog and the flatty for a "driver".
I didnt say descent pan. And it was for both of the motors pictured. I didnt blow it up till just now. Looks like he's got a pan already. SHOWOFF!
I've got a 354 Hemi sitting on the floor and plan to use it in my '30 roadster on '32 rails. I just never got into the Flathead thing, Bangers YES but the Flathead just never grabbed me. I think the HEMI is lighter.
I am a fan of the HEMI w/tri/97's. Hooked up to a T-5 and small glass packs behind the new Sanderson short headers it has the balls to pull a light and overdrive gear for the freeway. Running 8.20-15s in the rear I get 60 mph @ 1200 rpm. Not sure what the rear ratio is, but it must be pretty tall. But with all that torque you can break loose the rear end whenever you want. My problem is in Key West the Island speed limit is 45 max. Have to leave town to open her up. Good luck Bill
I would only comment on how I would set up my ride.I have a 330 desoto and 32 also, if i use the flatty I will use the early driveline. If i go the Desoto I will use the 9" and 4 speed, or a 350 turbo. I am not going to race it but i would like to have a stout driveline and smooth motor. will use it for cruising long, or short distances. Automatic with tall gear is all i would need nothin trick. Hemi in a duece makes its own statement.
OK, honestly, it depends on what you want, a little more "get up and go", plus neat factor, or a little less "get up and go" plus neat factor. I am coming down the home stretch with AV8 Coupe and if I could build ANOTHER ONE (and still keep my AV8 Blower Coupe), it would be with a Hemi. But, I would go with the 9" in either case, more reliable and stronger..................if you do put a flatty in and sometime decide to add some "serious HP", you won't have to worry about the weak link being the torque tube and banjo..............IMHO
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