Projects What motor should I put in my '52?

So here's the scoop. I just bought this '52 Ford from a friend. Right now it has the original flathead V8 with a blower in it. He's keeping the motor and tranny for a new project, but otherwise the car is complete.

My question is...what would be the most affordable and correct motor/tranny combo to put back in it?

I would love to find another flathead, but I doubt I could find one and have it rebuilt on a small budget.

I'm leaning towards trying to find a short block 302, and I have connections to a C4 thats complete.

I would just love to hear any thoughts or recommendations as to what my options are. If it matters to know, as of now I'm going to keep the "sleeper" look, but I may end up doing a 50s custom look later on.

Here are some shots of the car:

 

Small block Ford with a C4 would be a great choice...

 

buy a running 70s 4 door car for cheap. An inline 6 would be easiest to route exhaust, and fab motor mounts. And of course the small block v8s will have the cheapest, most easily found parts.

 

if it was me..302 with a c4 ...

 

I'd put a 1976 Ford 302 in it since I have one sitting in my garage.

 

1) That is NOT a sleeper!

2) That car is already a 60s mild custom!

3) That car is SWEET!

 

This is the cheapest route. Go to a towing yard auction, or several of them. You can get a complete running, driving, donor car for $100.00 or less (maybe more due to scrap prices). Pull the engine-trans, and part out/sell the rest for scrap. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

if you need help searching let me know.

 

Definitely keep an eye out for me up there Ben! Most of my money is going towards the car right now, but keep me in mind. Thanks brother!

Thanks to everyone else too, I think I'll stick with the 302/C4 combo idea unless something better or a heck of a deal comes around.

 

FORD in a FORD .......YOU DECIDE BROTHER. Sweeeeeet ride too.
"AND THE BOWTIE ROLLS ON"
that dawg ain't asleep

 

I've got a 348/4 speed in my '53. I've got a '62 Cadillac 390 that would be cool in there. I'll be the first one to say I'm not feeling the 302 idea. They can be had cheap and make decent power/reliable for the money, but it's pretty boring and not really traditional. I'd want something bigger, more 60's hotrod. Even a 352/390 would work.

 

Yeah, nothing wrong with a 302/C4 combo unless the fact that it'll get you some small amount of grief from some of the hardcore traditionalists bothers you. It'll be inexpensive to build and maintain and it'll be powerful enough even in a fairly stock configuration to move the car around smartly.

Dress it properly and it won't look too out of place under the hood, either.

Hey, worse case scenario you can always put something else under the hood later if you prefer.

 

That car would be great with a 312-4V with AOD trans. But that's just me.

 

I am sending you an invite to the 1952-56 Ford Social Group here on the HAMB where you can get plenty of help and check out members who have already done the SBF swap,if you want to keep the stock rear end I would run a 5.0 and AOD Ford the Fox body oil pan is the correct one for the swap.

 

put another flathead in it.

 

Nice looking!
A 50's version could have had just about anything under the hood...Buick, Cad, Poncho...I don't recall many with Mopar and I don't think there would have been many with flathead since big-inch OHV were readily available.
The 60's version would likely have had an FE and 4 speed although I still recall a 53 with a serious (for the time) 312 that kicked ass.
The 302/c-4 is safe...

.

 

Hmmmm, I'm a Ford guy all the way! But something tells me a 396 or 409 in that car, Would be so BAD ASS!

But the 302 and C4 is always a good choice. If you have it. Run it!

 

289 with a 4 speed

 

chrome +he grill!

 

So I just got off the phone with a friend in Kansas, and he has a '63-'64 292 Y-Block that I could get. He said there's an adapter kit I can buy for about $800 or $900 that comes with everything I need to hook it up to a C4 too.

Anyone know an estimated cost of getting one of these rebuilt?

 

Our Casper prospect has a 89 grand marquis 302 with AOD trans. It is a fuel injected model and has the computer. He is asking $300. Let me know if you are intrested.

 

Nailhead if it were mine.

 

Y block or FE

 

302....like others said, you can buy an old fox body mustang or get one from a ranger and swap it all in.

my 29 ford coupe is powered by a 1980 chevy longbed..was cheap,who wants a 80's longbed? not me! works good dressed in some vintage parts

 

Make it electric

 

Y-Blocks are cool sounding, but cost wise the parts prices are thru the roof.Fabbing up mounts to fit a Y-block won't be fun either, $800 to adapt a C4 to a Y-block? for $800 you could buy the '89 roller cam 5.0 and AOD posted above and the headers and motor mounts,and aftermarket parts for the 5.0(aka 302) are available EZ and inexpensive compared to a Y-block.

 

How about something simple like a 27-Liter (1,650 Cu in) V1650 Packard built Merlin, couple it up to a good Ford top loader easy...............

Doc.

 

Another flat head would be nice, but a 302 or 289 with C4 is also a good choice I think. Or you could go with a trans with over drive; which would make it nice on the freeway.

 

How about one of these???

 

Just get it running and DRIVE!!!!!!! Go for the cheapest easiest way to get it on the road. That way you can enjoy it while you gather the parts and pieces for y-block,flathead,????.I had a 53 with a sbc,350auto, and stock 4:11 REAR. Ran like a raped ape.Definately upgrade the brakes. With mine you needed to plan waaay ahead to stop with stock brakes and lots of power.
Go for the Thunder Road look.