'53 ford build,,,Opinions please

[randy]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/image_uploads/308193-ford-1.jpg

Above is the victim in question. Here's the scoop. I pulled the front clip a few days ago & I'm now stalled as to how I should proceed.

Quandry is regarding the drivetrain.

For starters, I've already bastardized my '56 Cad by putting an SBC in it. It works GREAT & I don't regret a thing, but I've already lived that dream. I want a NOSTALGIC (read - 50's ohv) motor that won't cost a friggin mint to rebuild.

The Flattie that came stock with the car is running strong, but the clutch + tranny seem to be on the last legs. I'd like to hop up the stock Flathead, but parts are pricey & a good rebuild is probably more than I can afford. Besides, I'd like something that'll move the car along a little quicker than a Flat 8.

What fits well in these cars??? I've kinda considered y-blocks only because the 54's came with them so I figure that they've got to fit well enough. I want something that won't leave headers 1/4 inch away from the steering column etc., etc.

My plan is to make this car period correct. Basically a mild resto with mild Custom touches done in lead. Yeah, I know Bondo is cheaper, quicker, safer, better, etc., but I'd like a truly old style custom.

ANYWAY, what mid 50's ohv motor would fit well and not weigh too much? Y-block? Olds? All suggestions are appreciated.

-r

[randy]

here's another pic. I'm assuming that a 239 y-block would fit EASILY into a '53 as they were stock on the '54. So the next question would be...How much larger is the block for a 292-312 y-block. It might be bitchin to put a t-bird motor in it...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/image_uploads/308201-ford-2.jpg

-r

[du$ty]

buddies and i have been messing with a 54 and a 53.y-block will bolt in with little adaption.is it a flathead....3 speed...or a six...either way you can even run the old three speed if you wanted too..easy swap.the frontends are different...but cutting two coils is also just fine in this 53 of yours or the 54 for that matter.dont let them tell ya its not.rides decent.looks more than decent.

[Rocky]

It's a no-brainer. Click onto the HAMB drags thread and join in on the raffle for the built small block ford engine. Cost's $25 for a ticket and you get a built 302 engine and the tranny of your choice. In the event you didn't win, find another 289, 302 or 351 engine. They're lighter than a Y-block, fit a 53 better and make as much power as your check book can tolerate. They're skinnier than the original flatmotor so there are no clearance issues.
Nice vicky. They make wonderful mild customs.
Just between you and me......I'd use a sbc.
let the beatings begin.

[flatordead]

How about a low buck tail dragger like this. Cleaned, frenched, lowered rear, electric trunk, 57 Ford tail lights, 54 Chrysler grill bar, 56 Chevy pu parking lights, 57 Packard hubcaps and a nail to open the doors. Few rattle cans of course.
http://www.oldhotrodparts.de/forum/53ford/IMGP3652k.JPG
http://www.oldhotrodparts.de/forum/53ford/IMGP3651k.JPG

[luketrash]

Here's what I have planned for my '54...

I saw this car at a show and thought "Damn, somebody did exactly what I wanted to do to my car http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif "

1953 2 door custom (http://www.whiteboard.net/~luke/carshow/53_ford_custom/)

I've got my eyes on a '53 mainline that's been completely restored as a nice driver, which would free up any guilt about modifying the '54 once I get it running reliably.

[=mike=]

What happened to the motor that was in that 56 cad ? That would be a " period correct " install .

[Fat Hack]

For some reason, I see ALOT of those cars with Oldsmobile V8s in them...might be cool to look into an early Rocket motor swap for that beast!

(Most I see have the 'modern' Olds V8 in them...but I think an early Pontiac or Olds OHV V8 would be a cool and not-to-difficult swap...possibly a Nailhead, or a trusty Ford Y-block.)

54 Fords came with y-blocks...don't know how different the chassis/front suspension is between 53 and 54, but a few parts from a 54 might make a y-block swap an easy deal...it'd keep it all Ford, and perfectly in the era you want it!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[kentucky]

I would also go with a Y-block. If you put an ad on someone may even trade ya a Y-block for your flatty stuff. Good luck with it. I saw a 53 in a junkyard a while back, already had an sbf in it and was cheap but the body was way too far gone for me and my lack of skills http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[luketrash]

The goofy thing is that I wish my '54 had a flathead in it..

I guess it's just the typical want what you don't have situation..

I feel that the flatheads are more nostalgic than the OHV, but I like both of em I guess.

[Killer]

I have a running y block w/ auto trans.

Interested in a flathead swap???

[randy]

Thanks for the thoughts guys...

I've experienced it before and I'm sure it'll happen with every car I ever own - INDECISION.
The Flathead was rebuilt sometime in the early 80's and has about 20,000 on it since. So, It's a fairly newish motor as motors go. I don't know exactly what was done to it at the time, but I'm pretty sure it's just a stock engine job.

BUT...just like the 50's bro... I'm interested in something with a little more GO than a stock flathead. To build it up would cost me more than I want to dump into a motor for this car. Even if I were to leave it basically stock & bolt NIFTY aluminum doodads on it, it would STILL cost a lot in parts and STILL be slow.

Killer, I'll keep that offer in mind. It ran like a sewing machine when it was in the car, so part of me wants to keep it in hopes that it's a REALLY good uncracked flathead. Maybe some project in the future could benefit from it when I have more money to poor down the flathead God's throat for a build.

In reality, what would it cost to do a mostly stock rebuild of something like an Olds 324 or a Ford 312? How expensive are parts? If I got a bellhousing adapter for Olds to "early" Ford transmission could I use that with my stock 3 speed O/D??? I'm sure a motor in need of rebuild wouldn't cost me that much.
Does anyone know someone with an Olds or a bigger Y-block in one of these 52-54 Ford/Mercs?


-r

[porknbeaner]

The Y block as mentioned is a good swap. And it is an easy swap to do.

I might lean toward fordilac if I wanted to go totally period. But the Rocket mill is also a good bet.

Here's the problem based on your question. All of the above will cost you an arm and a leg to do much with. If you want to stay low buck and keep it all 50s then a 283 or a 265 are your best bet. And the early small block contrary to popular theory was a very popular swap.

Personally I would do the Fordilac with a major drop. But its your ride.

[Donzie]

I can appreciate your situation. But, here's my feelings about period correctness (and let me first say, I'm all for it in some cases). It's been said that customs were/are basically about style, not speed. That said, I would opt for reliability and cost. Almost anything you put in there will out perform the stock flatty so the door is wide open. If the car looks cool, most people don't care what's under the hood, that's for hot rods. When you do open the hood and the motor looks neat and clean they'll say "ah ha, yeah that looks nice".
I've got a '49 Fleetline, sub framed with a '70 6cyl, disc brakes and powersteering. I rarely get asked to open the hood. They just say "what kinda motor ya got it it?".
But they spend lots of time looking the outside of the car over.
That's just my 2 cents.
Oh and BTW, that's a great looking car.
About 1961 my brother had a '54. I remember it was burgandy. Although, I was too young to remember the details he's told me it had "bubble skirts". Now THAT'S period correct! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[40StudeDude]

[ QUOTE ]
Quandry is regarding the drivetrain.

I've already bastardized my '56 Cad by putting an SBC in it.

My plan is to make this car period correct. Basically a mild resto with mild Custom touches done in lead. Yeah, I know Bondo is cheaper, quicker, safer, better, etc., but I'd like a truly old style custom.

[/ QUOTE ]

Put a small blok Chevy in it, forget the guys that give you shit and get with the program.You wanna drive it or look at it?

Why in hell would you want to go to the trouble of LEAD? Is it so you can do and say you did it? A "truly old style custom" is simply the look...how you get there is your problem. You gonna braze up the holes or are you gonna use an old style gas/oxy welder...MIG works better, and I won't tell anyone if that's how you want to do that. You can still get that "period correct" look with a little bondo...besides, unless you're going to run around in bare metal so people can see your "handiwork", I'd bet you at least put on a coat of primer...then who's going to see your "LEADWORK"?? Next you'll tell us that you're only going to paint it with lacquer...cuz it's "period correct"...BULL! Bet you use some of the newer bc/cc stuff or at least an epoxy primer. You gonna run bias plies too...I'd never run those lane swappers...I like going 80 mph...

"Period correct" causes a lot of problems these days...I lived that "period correctness" and trust me when I tell you hot rodding is much better and easier these days...the old ways isn't what they're cracked up to be.

R-

[Crestliner]

I've got a old Jasper rebuild with low miles (hasn't been run in a few years but turns over) complete except exhaust manifolds. Has 4bbl and flywheel w/ 11" clutch. I would trade for your flatty.

[randy]

[ QUOTE ]


Why in hell would you want to go to the trouble of LEAD? Is it so you can do and say you did it? A "truly old style custom" is simply the look...how you get there is your problem. You gonna braze up the holes or are you gonna use an old style gas/oxy welder...MIG works better, and I won't tell anyone if that's how you want to do that. Next you'll tell us that you're only going to paint it with lacquer...cuz it's "period correct"..
"Period correct" causes a lot of problems these days...I lived that "period correctness" and trust me when I tell you hot rodding is much better and easier these days...the old ways isn't what they're cracked up to be.


[/ QUOTE ]

I KNEW I'd catch shit for the lead comment. Listen, I want to do this car in lead work. I'm learning how to do it & I figure I might as well do ONE car in lead so I can apply my knowledge ONCE. I'm not going to say it's the only way to have a KEWL KUSTOM; my Cadillac has bondo on it & I think it's cool.
People still ride horses. There are certainly better alternatives for transportation, but people do it. If I do this ONE car in lead I can walk away with one more skill under my belt. I'm not going to braze fill the holes, they'll be MIG-ed & the sheet metal work will be TIG-ed. It'll be painted in whatever paint/color I feel like. So there http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif!

Anyway, I understand the argument for the SBC. I put one in a CADILLAC to stay in budget. I love it. It runs & is (sorta) fast. I'm just exploring my options outside the REALM of SBC.

Crestliner,
Excuse my ignorance. What is a "Jasper" rebuild?

-r

[yorgatron]

i like the sound of a Y-block swap,but i would use the manual trans you already have.that's gonna be the easiest and most cost-effective,especially a 292-312,may as well get all the cubes you can.Olds rebuild is around $2000.00,but you gotta get an adaptor,unless you wanna shoehorn a hydra-matic in there.probably more trouble than it's worth-george

[Crestliner]

Jasper is a big engine, transmission rebuilder about 40 miles from here. They also have a Nextel cup car.

[porknbeaner]

[ QUOTE ]
Jasper is a big engine, transmission rebuilder about 40 miles from here. They also have a Nextel cup car.

[/ QUOTE ]

Crest ya forgot to tell a Jasper rebuilt what? I think that's what hes askin'. Of course I could be wrong.
In that case tell me a jasper rebuilt what? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Gettin back to it Fordilac. I mean as long as I'm spendin' your money I might as well have what I want right? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[A32Flathead]

You could always do it like Woody's 54.....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[bulletproof1]

im putting a 331 hemi in 53 customline .but it will cost more than a mint to rebuild ,and the headers are going to be close to the streering and it weight about 700 lbs but it has 2 carbs and it looks COOL .and it is period correct but the 350 turbo behind it aint.......wish mine was a hard top love those roof lines

[Crestliner]

beaner, Jasper rebuilt this engine. They remanufacture engines and transmissions.