Engine to learn on

[franzfrucket1]

Hey guys, I'm looking to find an engine to learn on in the Milwaukee area. I would like to find one that isnt too far gone, but not incredibly expensive. I dont want to go into my first car ass end first.


I am going to have to learn sometime. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


Owen

[gregg]

'39 Ford V8. $75. 25 miles west of Chicago.

[magnet]

I would think that if you are looking to learn about rebuilding engines... you would start out with a lawnmower..5hp brigs would be good.
no bullshit.. really

then maybe move to a older inline 6 .. something with a carb... like a 235.. early 60's.. they seem to be cheap and somewhat plentiful.

read read read books...

then step up to a small block chevy... which you can get a zillion parts for and there are truckloads of books on...

then throw all that away .. and find yourself a flathead v8

[Bruce Lancaster]

Pick an engine that would fit in whatever project you envision down the road--you might just get somewhere with your learner engine!
Oh, yeah: The correct choice would indeed be a flathead Ford.

[Paul]

I've learned something on every motor I've built.

You might want to get a car first (assuming you don't have one already) and build a motor to fit.

For bone head simple the early inline flatheads are about as basic as they get,
like a Dodge or Ford flat six for example.

I hate to say it the Chevy small block could be the easiest to find parts for.
Lots of bang for the buck, and good resale value.

Or you could get a mid sixties Mopar A Body and build a 318,
they're fun cars and chicks dig 'em!

Paul

[tokyo]

There is no replacement for experience...this is my first engine..and man did i learn alot...i also asked alot of questions on here too..

[briggs&strattonChev]

what engine are you looking for? a 4 cylinder? Straight 6? Flatty or OHV V8? its been said before, but you should get one that is geared towards a current or future project of yours.

[franzfrucket1]

Well Im looking for a small block chevy I guess I really envision a roadster down the road like a 29 or something like that or a 30-31 coupe but I know its going to be something along those lines and if I can find a SBC from the early years they were out it would be great I know everyone is probaly going to yell at me but Flatheads dont really appeal to me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif( sorry ) Its just my personal taste I guess


Owen

[Smokin Joe]

Well, you can't beat a SBC in bang for the buck, parts or helpers with experience. And they fit in every car ever built.

[topdeadcenter]

Hey Franz,

My Mom lives in Hartford. I drive by the speedway couple times a year. I have a SBF that Fat Hack had dibs on until today. (He backed out,no biggie) It is a '79 302 from a Bronco. It ran 4 years ago when it was pulled in my dads garage. I had plans to build it for my mullet mobile at the time and that never happened. Been pickled in my garage ever since. NEEDS gaskets and probably a ring job, it liked about 1 1/2 quarts per change, but that might be a good place to start for a new guy.

I was just going to trade it in on the machine work for my flattie project, but if you want to toss me the $75 that they are going to give me in credit, you can have it. This is complete! Air cleaner to oil plug, exhaust manifold to exhaust manifold. I even have the starter.
Let me know if you are interested,
Mike aka TDC

[Paul]

[ QUOTE ]
And they fit in every car ever built.


[/ QUOTE ]

spoken like a true hot rodder,

'course a true hot rodder would say that about any engine http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Paul

[19Fordy]

Come down to warm FL and Buy my big block Chevy. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[magnet]

dude.. jump on that SBF of topdeadcenter's... perfect for you

[franzfrucket1]

Yea it sounds like a good deal I also got bobbleed offereing me a sbc for sorta cheap so I guess I should make up my mind! Anyways I had heard! HEARD! that sbf werent all that good. Thats all that I heard http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gifok so dont yell at me, oh and speaking of what are some major differences between the sbc and sbf? thanks guys!


Owen

[Paul2748]

FRANZ - I won't YELL at you but what you heard about small block Fords is a bunch of s**t. I built or had built three of them and and had others in my daily drivers and all were good. SBF and SBC are quite similar in design, but the SBF are much better engines. Only good thing about SBC are that they are cheaper.

[fab32]

OH! Talk like that could start a range war pardner.

Frank

[36-3window]

i recogmend you rebuild a SBC as your first atempt. they are plentiful and will cost you less to rebuild. i also recogmend you get and read "how to rebuild your small block chevy" by H.P. books in Tucson AZ... OR ...."how to rebuild the small block chevy" by Cartech in North Branch Mn . your local bookstore should be able to get either.. both are good and are geared for the complete novice,if you can read and have a fair amount of talent with tools,you should be able to rebuild it by yourself. good luck...greg

[Shaggy]

Well Heres my advice (that means dont follow it) I started when I was 11 with a Harley engine, later when i was 15 I started V-8's with rebuilding a desoto 276c.i. hemi, then when i was 16 I went to a Small Block Chevy, and now that I'm 18 I'm in the begining Stages of a blown 331 Chrysler Hemi.

[Paul]

what a coincidence!

I've been eighteen for twentyeight years!