Hot Rods Flathead or Hemi

I'd go with the Hemi

 

Hemi

 

I voted Hemi, but I have a 32 with a 290 inch Flathead that will go anywhere.
I have a 4 speed Toploader & behind that a Gear Vendors OD.
I just love the look of the Hemi.
If it were me, I'd want a larger Hemi (Desoto 345") maybe?
JMO

 

I sure wouldn't go with the flathead for the reasons a few already stated;
They're slower than a hemi,
They're no as good looking as a hemi,
They're not even cooler than a OHV
They're not built well

And it makes my car that much cooler when we meet.

 

To cut a long story short there is absolutely no issue with long road trips with either choice . Just use care in assembly and parts choice and you will have miles of smiles. We have done thousands of miles in all our flatheads and never had a problem or breakdown. A decent size motor with appropriate gearing and cooling will go forever as they say.
Throw it together with unknown or used parts is a recipe for drama on the road.

 

I'm a flathead guy alway have been but I too just recently decided to put a dodge 270 in my 32 for drive ability. I want to be able to drive to different states with out worrying bout over heating to much..


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Yeah Desoto hemi all the way


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Hemi

 

IF YOUR GOING TO BE DRIVING ON LONG HAULS FINE SOMER











I f you going to be doing a lot of long hauls finde a modern rengine you can readily get parts for in West Overshoe.









I

 

Built this for my Anglia but sadly ran out of steam and sold it in bits !! Flatheads look the biz but the hemi !!

 

Hemi.

 

HEMI !

 

FLATHEAD

 

HEMI

 

I like your style, Bruce!

 

Do you have a cabriolet highboy? Have to add I have put over 9200 miles on my flathead the last two summers and I still love it!

 

Takes a pretty good street flathead to make 200 hp even a 241 hemi can make those numbers with pistons, cam, and a good carb easy.

 

Well it makes the cart look fast

 

Flathead all the way. Flatheads forever!

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I am really torn on this, but I am going with Hemi.
Bob

 

Hemi! dodges fit great without modifying the firewall. Desoto are tight. My brother has a 276 in his pickup.


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After 2300 miles of trouble free cruising in my Flathead powered AV8 I would say that reliability would not concern me, Only power. The big inch flattie should be over 180hp and 230ft/lbs. not sure what the Hemi will make but probably more right?

 

hemi for me


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HEMI! But why put a small one if that's the case? If your gonna go for the big valve cover, go BIG, like the 392, or a 354........Even us HEMI guys aren't big on the little engines...... Wear the badge, wear it to the extreme! Wear it proud!

 

Both engines are expensive to rebuild but with similar equipment the DeSoto will make alot more HP/TQ.
Both engines will require an adapter of some sort for a 5-spd but an AX15 behind the 291 might be a less expensive package when everything is on the garage floor.
The DeSoto will be limited on intake choices unless you get lucky or have lots-o-cash to toss around.
My last flathead was in a 53 Merc back around 1966 but I haven't forgotten about it being a bit sluggish...

.

 

I vote flux capacitor

 

I'm glad that I don't have to decide but wish it was a decision I needed to make.

 

OK, the plan is for the Hemi. The chassis is about done. I haven't started on the motor yet but will probably do so soon.
Good news is my cancer is in remission and I feel good. My 15 year old grandson is interested in hot rods so we have started on a 27 roadster pickup hiboy. It is on a deuce frame, and the body is ready to pick up from Redi-Strip. The frame is still in the jig. He is learning a lot and has been doing some MIG welding, heating and bending, and sawing on the band saw. I am elated that one of the grandkids has an interest. He lives about 40 minutes away so with basketball practice he only has Sunday to work on it. But we have been getting a lot done. Hope to show some pics soon. I am probably as excited as he is.

 

Glad to hear you are back in the shop. Both builds sound great.
I suspect most posters on the power plant question don't know what you mean when you say you want to be able to 'drive it'.
Looking forward to pic's of both builds.