Customs taildragger motors? what was common?

I've been searching a lot lately on taildraggers from the 30's and 40's and as bad ass as most of them are they really dont go into detail on what powers them. Obviously the goal of a taildragger was the looks but i was wondering what was a common engine or swap or did they just use stock and dress it up a little?

 

The engines are/were not mentioned because most of them were stock, or very mildly warmed over. Common engine swaps in the late 40searly50s would have been a stock olds/cad in place of a flattie, or stovebolt.
Milled heads and a couple of carbs would have been a big deal in the 30s-40s for a taildragger in most cases. Not to say that guys didn't have built motors in some cars, but most taildraggers/customs were not 'hot rods'.

 

thanks, that is pretty much what i was thinking. I know a commom merc swap is the cadillac for the '49-'51s but im new to the "taildragger" era so didn't know what was traditional. As i stated i figured the cars were more about the look then the engine, as it was just something that moved it.