Fat Hack
09-21-2003, 12:58 AM
By far, the two most popular "modern" V8 engines for the majority of hot rodders are the small block Chevys and small block Fords. They enjoy the lion's share of aftermarket product development and find their way into many of our project vehicles. But...are there other alternatives for the home builder on a strict budget? You betcha! Here are but a few more suggestions:
Before I get into this much further, let me just state that I know that a few of you will frown upon some of the engine selections I will be mentioning, and snuff them as non-traditional powerplants. My aim is not to try and redefine 'traditional', but rather to illustrate some creative alternatives available for the do-it-yourself hot rod builder who can't afford early hemi, flathead or nailhead power. By suggesting a few clever alternatives, perhaps a few budding rodders will realize their dreams of cruising in some cool early tin on a budget that they can live with.
Oldsmobile:
The 'modern' Olds V8 is one of the toughest and most reliable performers ever offered in a production vehicle! I'm talking mainly about the "small block" versions, and the 307,350 and 403 versions in particualr. There was also a 260, but it's not a very responsive performance mill. The 455 is also an excellent choice, though it features a taller deck height, different intake manifold and carries a slightly higher price tag. 307s can be scored all over the place, and they really come alive with basic bolt-on speed equipment. The 350 and 403 offerings are even better, and only slightly harder to locate. Edelbrock makes a few different intake manifolds for these engines, and they can also supply you with a matching camshaft package to optimize your manifold and carb selection. A Holley 750cfm vacuum secondaries is the recommended choice here!
Headers and a distributor re-curve will further wake these anvil-solid engines up, and they provide enough torque and midrange power to get a fairly big car moving! I've had a few of these Olds engines myself, and they have been the smoothest running and most trouble free motors I've ever driven!
As for where to find them, look in the Olds 88 and 98 series land yachts built from 1977-1985. As an example, I just sold a complete and running one of these with a strong 307 for $60 to a kid in the neighborhood who is currently hustling pizzas with it!
Why the Olds? Well, imagine that you have a 50s or 60s coupe or sedan that needs an engine. Buying one of these dirt-cheap Oldsmobiles will score you a dynamite performer, along with a battery, alternator, radiator, trans, driveshaft, column, and tons of parts that will help you swap "modern" power into your old iron to give you a very cost-effective way of getting on the road in that old heap sitting in your driveway! "Parts" cars rule for the low-buck home builder!
Pontiac:
The 326, 350 and 400 Poncho mills are still pretty easy to find for reasonable prices, and not much needs to be said about all of the performance parts and potential combinations out there for these engines. Tri-powers and dual quads are viable options, as well as more common four barrel set-ups. The Pontiac engines found in cars of the late 60s and all through the 70s can provide the basic building block for an attractively priced V8. However, you will want to pass over the 301 and 267 orphans. They LOOK like most other Ponchos, but they are a lightened up and weaker cousin best left alone! The heads use funky intake ports on those econo-junkers, and the cranks are prone to breakage. Stick with the 326, 350 and 400 samples.
Again, buying a whole 70s battle cruiser will get you your engine, tranny and a slew of other parts to help you complete the swap for dirt cheap.
Mopar:
Lots of 70s era Chrysler products came down the pike with 360 small blocks and 400 big blocks. These motors, found in big ol' Mopars, accept speed parts from 340 and 383 engines, respectively. (The 360 is a larger dispalcement small block, and the 400 is a larger displacement B engine big block which shares external dimensions with the earlier 383s). The 413, 426 and 440 big blocks (or RB engines) use a taller deck height, but many other parts interchange with the 400. Intake manifolds are easy to locate for the 400, too...anything from six-packs to tunnel rams and the tamer four barrel options. Same with the 360...it will accept other small block Mopar manifolds, cams, headers, etc.
These Mopar mills deliver astounding performance for the buck, and bolt up to the Torqueflite auto trannys (360s take a small block housing, while the 400 requires a big block tranny case) and also accept four speed trannys. The often overlooked 360 small blocks and 400 big blocks represent genuine horsepower bargains for the astute rodder!
Ford:
Okay, I know many will think me crazy here, but the lowly and hated 351-400M engines built through the 70s do run well with the emissions crap ripped off and some basic performance bolt-ons added. Edelbrock, Weiand and possibly Offy make intake manifolds for these quirky engines, and any 351 Cleveland camshaft will work in them. Headers are also interchangeable with the Cleveland series, as are parts such as the distributor, and many accessory brackets and valve covers, etc. Be advised, however, that the 351-400M uses a bellhousing pattern in common with the 429/460 series, and motor mount dimensions from the Lima series engine, too. (Clevelands use small block Ford bellhousing and motor mount dimensions by contrast).
Alot of the big Mercury, Ford and Lincoln barges of the 70s came with the 351-400M engines, and they are the type of engine that you can most likely score for free, since they are grossly misunderstood and ignored by the masses! Hey...a free 400 cubic inch V8 is a cool find for the super frugal backyard builder!
While you're looking at those dirt-cheap FoMoCo behemoths, don't be surprised if you see several with 429 and 460 engines as well. These are really very affordable big blocks that you might want to consider, also! Whole cars in running, driving condition are not hard to pick up for $500 or less.
************************************************** **************************************
So, there are but a few ideas to help you find alternative engines to power your next (or current) hot rod or custom car projects. They won't score you "super cool guy points" with the period correct fans, but they will get your old heap on the road for hardly more than pocket change! Remember, the best way to purchase these engines is to buy a whole, rusty old 70s tank and rob it blind for all sorts of stuff that will come in handy when completing your engine swap. Hell, you can probably unload the shell for a few bucks to the scrapyard, or sell off the parts you don't use.
An example:
Years ago, I stumbled across a really clean 1972 Torino sport with a blown up 429 in it for FREE! It belonged to a friend who got tired of looking at it, and he just GAVE me the car!
Another friend had a 1977 Grand Marquis in his driveway with a busted windshield and bad brakes. The car had a good running 460 in it, though...and I bought the whole mess for $50 and drove it home. The 460 was removed, equipped with a Melling cam, new timing set, dual point distributor, and the intake and carb off of the 429 in the Torino. The swap was a direct bolt-in, and I used the battery and lots of other odds and ends from the Marquis to button up the Torino.
But wait...it gets BETTER! A friend heard about my project, and stopped by to inquire about the dead 429 that was now sitting next to my garage. He offered me $50 for the engine before I could tell him just to haul it away, so I sold it for the price of the whole Marquis!
Then, a few other guys stopped by...one of whom had a 1977 Marquis that needed a front clip. I woulda sent the one I bought off to the crusher had this guy not stopped by! He asked how much for this, and how much for that. I was busy working on the Torino, so I told him that for $75, he could take the whole car, or just pick off what he wanted. He handed me the money and spent a couple hours robbing the fenders, bumpers, grille and other pieces off of the car.
One of my neighbors gave me $40 for the wheels and tires off the Merc, and I called the boneyard to haul away the rest. The tow truck driver gave me $25 for the remaining 'car'!
So...one free car, one $50 donor vehicle, and maybe a couple hundred bucks for the new cam and other miscellaneous parts...then raking in $185 for stuff I didn't use! Made the Torino project almost a free car!
Now, suppose it wasn't a Torino, which would commonly be reffered to as a "mullet mobile" here! Imagine you had a 1950's Ford two door in your yard with a scattered six popper. Use the same method of locating a dirt cheap 70s donor car and you're well on your way to getting that dead old Ford back on the road! It may ruffle a few feathers, but it's a bona fide, down-n-dirty approach to solving your drivetrain problems, isn't it??!! THAT'S what I'm talking about...being open minded and creative enough to consider other possibilities using the time-honored...and yes...TRADITIONAL way of scrounging junkyards and want-ads for V8 power on the cheap and bolting it together yourself! Sure, 400M Ford engines weren't around in the 50s and 60s...and no, they wouldn't give you a period correct look...but you can bet your ass that if a hot rodder in that bygone era had access to a 400 cubic inch mill for pennies...he'd be hot to use it! See what I'm driving at? It ain't right for EVERYONE, but it's something for budget-limited folks to consider.
Just a suggestion, take it as you will...I only offer it as food for thought! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
A Model A coupe with a 400 Pontiac?
Maybe a 47 Ford with an Olds 403?
Or a 33 Dodge with a 360?
A 55 Mercury runnin' a 400M?
How 'bout a t-bucket with a 400 Mopar?
Use your imagination!
Before I get into this much further, let me just state that I know that a few of you will frown upon some of the engine selections I will be mentioning, and snuff them as non-traditional powerplants. My aim is not to try and redefine 'traditional', but rather to illustrate some creative alternatives available for the do-it-yourself hot rod builder who can't afford early hemi, flathead or nailhead power. By suggesting a few clever alternatives, perhaps a few budding rodders will realize their dreams of cruising in some cool early tin on a budget that they can live with.
Oldsmobile:
The 'modern' Olds V8 is one of the toughest and most reliable performers ever offered in a production vehicle! I'm talking mainly about the "small block" versions, and the 307,350 and 403 versions in particualr. There was also a 260, but it's not a very responsive performance mill. The 455 is also an excellent choice, though it features a taller deck height, different intake manifold and carries a slightly higher price tag. 307s can be scored all over the place, and they really come alive with basic bolt-on speed equipment. The 350 and 403 offerings are even better, and only slightly harder to locate. Edelbrock makes a few different intake manifolds for these engines, and they can also supply you with a matching camshaft package to optimize your manifold and carb selection. A Holley 750cfm vacuum secondaries is the recommended choice here!
Headers and a distributor re-curve will further wake these anvil-solid engines up, and they provide enough torque and midrange power to get a fairly big car moving! I've had a few of these Olds engines myself, and they have been the smoothest running and most trouble free motors I've ever driven!
As for where to find them, look in the Olds 88 and 98 series land yachts built from 1977-1985. As an example, I just sold a complete and running one of these with a strong 307 for $60 to a kid in the neighborhood who is currently hustling pizzas with it!
Why the Olds? Well, imagine that you have a 50s or 60s coupe or sedan that needs an engine. Buying one of these dirt-cheap Oldsmobiles will score you a dynamite performer, along with a battery, alternator, radiator, trans, driveshaft, column, and tons of parts that will help you swap "modern" power into your old iron to give you a very cost-effective way of getting on the road in that old heap sitting in your driveway! "Parts" cars rule for the low-buck home builder!
Pontiac:
The 326, 350 and 400 Poncho mills are still pretty easy to find for reasonable prices, and not much needs to be said about all of the performance parts and potential combinations out there for these engines. Tri-powers and dual quads are viable options, as well as more common four barrel set-ups. The Pontiac engines found in cars of the late 60s and all through the 70s can provide the basic building block for an attractively priced V8. However, you will want to pass over the 301 and 267 orphans. They LOOK like most other Ponchos, but they are a lightened up and weaker cousin best left alone! The heads use funky intake ports on those econo-junkers, and the cranks are prone to breakage. Stick with the 326, 350 and 400 samples.
Again, buying a whole 70s battle cruiser will get you your engine, tranny and a slew of other parts to help you complete the swap for dirt cheap.
Mopar:
Lots of 70s era Chrysler products came down the pike with 360 small blocks and 400 big blocks. These motors, found in big ol' Mopars, accept speed parts from 340 and 383 engines, respectively. (The 360 is a larger dispalcement small block, and the 400 is a larger displacement B engine big block which shares external dimensions with the earlier 383s). The 413, 426 and 440 big blocks (or RB engines) use a taller deck height, but many other parts interchange with the 400. Intake manifolds are easy to locate for the 400, too...anything from six-packs to tunnel rams and the tamer four barrel options. Same with the 360...it will accept other small block Mopar manifolds, cams, headers, etc.
These Mopar mills deliver astounding performance for the buck, and bolt up to the Torqueflite auto trannys (360s take a small block housing, while the 400 requires a big block tranny case) and also accept four speed trannys. The often overlooked 360 small blocks and 400 big blocks represent genuine horsepower bargains for the astute rodder!
Ford:
Okay, I know many will think me crazy here, but the lowly and hated 351-400M engines built through the 70s do run well with the emissions crap ripped off and some basic performance bolt-ons added. Edelbrock, Weiand and possibly Offy make intake manifolds for these quirky engines, and any 351 Cleveland camshaft will work in them. Headers are also interchangeable with the Cleveland series, as are parts such as the distributor, and many accessory brackets and valve covers, etc. Be advised, however, that the 351-400M uses a bellhousing pattern in common with the 429/460 series, and motor mount dimensions from the Lima series engine, too. (Clevelands use small block Ford bellhousing and motor mount dimensions by contrast).
Alot of the big Mercury, Ford and Lincoln barges of the 70s came with the 351-400M engines, and they are the type of engine that you can most likely score for free, since they are grossly misunderstood and ignored by the masses! Hey...a free 400 cubic inch V8 is a cool find for the super frugal backyard builder!
While you're looking at those dirt-cheap FoMoCo behemoths, don't be surprised if you see several with 429 and 460 engines as well. These are really very affordable big blocks that you might want to consider, also! Whole cars in running, driving condition are not hard to pick up for $500 or less.
************************************************** **************************************
So, there are but a few ideas to help you find alternative engines to power your next (or current) hot rod or custom car projects. They won't score you "super cool guy points" with the period correct fans, but they will get your old heap on the road for hardly more than pocket change! Remember, the best way to purchase these engines is to buy a whole, rusty old 70s tank and rob it blind for all sorts of stuff that will come in handy when completing your engine swap. Hell, you can probably unload the shell for a few bucks to the scrapyard, or sell off the parts you don't use.
An example:
Years ago, I stumbled across a really clean 1972 Torino sport with a blown up 429 in it for FREE! It belonged to a friend who got tired of looking at it, and he just GAVE me the car!
Another friend had a 1977 Grand Marquis in his driveway with a busted windshield and bad brakes. The car had a good running 460 in it, though...and I bought the whole mess for $50 and drove it home. The 460 was removed, equipped with a Melling cam, new timing set, dual point distributor, and the intake and carb off of the 429 in the Torino. The swap was a direct bolt-in, and I used the battery and lots of other odds and ends from the Marquis to button up the Torino.
But wait...it gets BETTER! A friend heard about my project, and stopped by to inquire about the dead 429 that was now sitting next to my garage. He offered me $50 for the engine before I could tell him just to haul it away, so I sold it for the price of the whole Marquis!
Then, a few other guys stopped by...one of whom had a 1977 Marquis that needed a front clip. I woulda sent the one I bought off to the crusher had this guy not stopped by! He asked how much for this, and how much for that. I was busy working on the Torino, so I told him that for $75, he could take the whole car, or just pick off what he wanted. He handed me the money and spent a couple hours robbing the fenders, bumpers, grille and other pieces off of the car.
One of my neighbors gave me $40 for the wheels and tires off the Merc, and I called the boneyard to haul away the rest. The tow truck driver gave me $25 for the remaining 'car'!
So...one free car, one $50 donor vehicle, and maybe a couple hundred bucks for the new cam and other miscellaneous parts...then raking in $185 for stuff I didn't use! Made the Torino project almost a free car!
Now, suppose it wasn't a Torino, which would commonly be reffered to as a "mullet mobile" here! Imagine you had a 1950's Ford two door in your yard with a scattered six popper. Use the same method of locating a dirt cheap 70s donor car and you're well on your way to getting that dead old Ford back on the road! It may ruffle a few feathers, but it's a bona fide, down-n-dirty approach to solving your drivetrain problems, isn't it??!! THAT'S what I'm talking about...being open minded and creative enough to consider other possibilities using the time-honored...and yes...TRADITIONAL way of scrounging junkyards and want-ads for V8 power on the cheap and bolting it together yourself! Sure, 400M Ford engines weren't around in the 50s and 60s...and no, they wouldn't give you a period correct look...but you can bet your ass that if a hot rodder in that bygone era had access to a 400 cubic inch mill for pennies...he'd be hot to use it! See what I'm driving at? It ain't right for EVERYONE, but it's something for budget-limited folks to consider.
Just a suggestion, take it as you will...I only offer it as food for thought! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
A Model A coupe with a 400 Pontiac?
Maybe a 47 Ford with an Olds 403?
Or a 33 Dodge with a 360?
A 55 Mercury runnin' a 400M?
How 'bout a t-bucket with a 400 Mopar?
Use your imagination!