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puttin a sbc in a 55 ford

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by mikhett, Jul 12, 2013.

  1. Larry T
    Joined: Nov 24, 2004
    Posts: 7,875

    Larry T
    Member

    That's what Ed Roth did. Pobably for the same reason.
     
  2. junkyardjeff
    Joined: Jul 23, 2005
    Posts: 8,588

    junkyardjeff
    Member

    I think its time to put the 351-C in my 37 Chevy p/u,should be alot quicker then that old stovebolt that is in it now.
     
  3. Xdrag48
    Joined: Mar 1, 2009
    Posts: 474

    Xdrag48
    Member

    Attached Files:

  4. Veach
    Joined: Jun 1, 2012
    Posts: 1,081

    Veach
    Member

    Did you get your answer ?
     
  5. What was mentioned (and glossed over by the Chevy guys) is '55 is the first year for front-sump pans on Ford cars. So installing a Chevy motor into these isn't nearly as easy as it was with the older cars. If you want to front-clip it, then sure, it'll fit. Or figure on a custom oil pan.

    A SBF or FE is a very easy install into the '55-up Fords, with the only glitch being throttle linkage if you use a SBF as the head will be too close to the firewall on the driver side to use the OEM linkage (due the SBF having a 'reversed' head offset compared to the early motors). Easily fixed with a late 60s/70s Ford cable throttle, and as an added bonus, if you still have vacuum wipers the Y-block fuel pump bolts-on to the Windsor motor. Use a driver-side-outlet water pump, and the Y-block lower radiator hose fits perfectly.
     
  6. dad-bud
    Joined: Aug 22, 2009
    Posts: 3,884

    dad-bud
    Member

    ....................... it seemed like such an innocent question when he first asked it.

    :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

    :D :D :D :D
     
  7. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,717

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Oh no! Not another belly button 351 swap! ;)
     
  8. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    I guess I'm one of those "GM Clowns", since I'm PRIMARILY a Chevrolet guy. BUT, I've also owned other brands, including a 90 Mustang Hatchback LX 5.0, a great car I should have kept. In this case of the SBC into a 55 Ford, I say NO, use a SBF or BBF for sure. I'd include the Y-block, but with the cost of parts, I think a later motor is the only way to go. Trade or sell the SBC, and do the RIGHT thing for that Ford; keep it ALL Ford. JMHO, Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  9. mikhett
    Joined: Jan 22, 2005
    Posts: 1,516

    mikhett
    Member
    from jackson nj

    Im a car guy.No allegiance to ford or chevy.Just asking.If its easier to go with a sbf Ill do it.My current car 62 galaxie has a 390 fe that runs great but its a heavy suckjer.Might opt for the sbf.
     
  10. manyolcars
    Joined: Mar 30, 2001
    Posts: 9,174

    manyolcars

    All this from a *mopar* guy. (you do know that mopars were not used for traditional hotrods, dont you?)
     
  11. 33sporttruck
    Joined: Jun 5, 2012
    Posts: 530

    33sporttruck
    Member

    mikhett, Sorry that the Chevy Haters have turned your thread into another Cage Fight.
    I am still a Chevy Fanatic and always will be.
    My suggestion was to install a Ford (302 or 351) engine with the front sump oil pan. I still think that it might be an easier conversion since your 55 Ford was originally equipped with a 6 cylinder or a Y-Block V-8. (both used front sump oil pans)
    My comments have nothing to do with being Anti Ford or Mopar. I still think that Your Ford would make a Classy Ride with late model Ford Power.
    It is my wishes that you build comes out well and according to Your Plans.
    Good Luck on the build............................Jeff
     
  12. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,341

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC


    Hmmm, this is always the exact same reasoning I hear from the rat rod crowd, "it really pisses off the guys who build nice cars." Dead serious here, no humour intended....

    PS, If I go out in my shed right now, I find 283's, 327's, 350's, 400's, FE's 289s, 302's, an LA Mopar, and a slew of 383's and 440's. When I see another 350 chevy in a XXX, my first thought is "hmmm, another poor sorry bastard that doesn't have the skill, brains, imagination or good taste to build anything but another 350". I guess if you wanna be that sorry bastard, well, its your car, knock yourself out.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2013
  13. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,341

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    Wow, so hemis werent used in traditional hot rods? Man, every time I tune into the HAMB, I learn something new...:rolleyes:
     
  14. Henry Floored
    Joined: Sep 18, 2004
    Posts: 1,370

    Henry Floored
    Member

    With all do respect sir the Y-block went away for reasons that I doubt you and your Chevy buddies could ever understand. The first is that the Y-block is waaay more engine than a `50's vintage sbc could ever hope to be. As a result they were alot more expensive to produce. If you ever had the two of them apart side by side I think you could plainly see the Ford was a premium built engine while the Chev not so much. Not knocking the Chevs, and yes they are fast but there is no comparison, with Ford getting the nod in strength and quality.

    Second, 1962 happened to be the year that Ford downsized the Fairlane and decided a small lightweight and yes cheaper top manufacture engine was needed, hence the Fairlane V8 at 221 and 260 cubes.

    Third, you are wrong about Ford dropping the Y-block in `62. In fact Ford used the Y-block until the late `70's in Brazil and til 1982 in Argentina. There was even a Phase II engine that combined all that was good about the Y-block and the port configuration of the Windsor Fords for better breathing. Yes the Y-block was replaced here but the South American Y-Blocks were well developed and some versions were fire breathing animals.
     
  15. Truckedup
    Joined: Jul 25, 2006
    Posts: 4,661

    Truckedup
    Member

    Sometime repowering is not intended to be an exercise in engineering. Do the easiest swap and move on to something else....What engine is that besides a Y block or old Ford 6 ?
     
  16. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,484

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

    Last edited: Jul 13, 2013
  17. TERPU
    Joined: Jan 2, 2004
    Posts: 2,372

    TERPU
    Member

    You guys that knock Chevys in Fords missed from 1955 to about 1976 in the timeline of Hot Rods, but I digress. The SBC is the best engine ever made for the Buck. I love all engines but that one truly changed the game.

    A good Hurst Mount and a Tubular trans cross member will get the Job Done. Just remember to stack about 1" solid stock behind the Hurst mount to allow you to run a manual fuel pump. Have fun you are going a very cool way and on a smart budget.


    All the best,

    Tim
     
  18. kracker36
    Joined: Jan 21, 2012
    Posts: 761

    kracker36
    Member

    Sell the Ford and buy a 55 Chevy----it already has the correct mounts.
     
  19. Yeah, that's probably what he really wants anyway.... :rolleyes:
     
  20. teddyp
    Joined: May 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,197

    teddyp
    Member

    now thats well said
     
  21. jan bogert
    Joined: Jul 11, 2011
    Posts: 655

    jan bogert
    Member

    my model a has a flathead ford, ford with ford, chevy with chevy. that's my law. JMO:):):) Also if your building, I hope u can weld. so make you own.
     
  22. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,717

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Wouldn't that be an exciting world of hotrodding!??? Every hotrod having the same brand of engine as the original maker had in it! Why didn't the big three think of this!?
     
  23. jax59
    Joined: Feb 20, 2010
    Posts: 125

    jax59
    Member
    from nor cal

    i want to know if i can stuff a 289 in a 69 camaro
     
  24. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,717

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Are you asking permission? I'm sure the HAMB will let you. ;)
     
  25. jax59
    Joined: Feb 20, 2010
    Posts: 125

    jax59
    Member
    from nor cal

    also need an adapter for torqueflite trans
     
  26. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,717

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Bless you my son! A true hotrodder! Reminds me of my old '40 Chevy coupe I had in high school, with 413 Mopar, and 727 trans!
     
  27. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    Good choice on the mouse motor because you will able to drive the car and enjoy it or if you'd rather be working on it all the time and having it sit in the driveway, use a FoMoCo engine.
     
  28. InstantT
    Joined: Aug 15, 2012
    Posts: 716

    InstantT
    Member
    from SoCal

    Classing up the ford with a bowtie. Nothing more traditional than that.
     
  29. 40FordGuy
    Joined: Mar 24, 2008
    Posts: 2,907

    40FordGuy
    Member

    Fords gotta have Fords in 'em !!!!!!!!


    4TTRUK
     
  30. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,174

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    Fords gotta have whatever it takes to motivate them out on the highway
     

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